Plan ID

: 55426

[Nagano/Karuizawa] Flying Squirrel Watching

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Map / access information / Provide：森のいきもの案内人ピッキオ

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Beginners welcome - First try
Empty-hands OK
Solo participant
Operate rain or shine
Children welcome

Possible number of bookings

1～30
Participating age

4Age ～ 100 Age
Duration

1～2 hours

Plan description

Watch as flying squirrels spread their cape-like bodies wide and fly into the forest at dusk. Thanks to years of research, their ecology and flight routes are well understood, so the sighting rate is over 95% (2022: 96.89% / 2023: 97.85%). The dynamic flight scenes will make you cheer in surprise. <Opening hours> March 1st-10th 17:30-19:00 11th-20th 17:30-19:00 21st-31st 17:30-19:00 April 1st-10th 17:30-19:00 11th-20th 17:45-19:15 21st-31st 17:45-19:15 May 1st-10th 18:00-19:30 11th-20th 18:10-19:40 21st-31st 18:20-19:50 June 1st-10th 18:30-20:00 11th-20th 18:30-20:00 21st-31st 18:30-20:00 July 1st-10th 18:30-20:00 11th-20th 18:30-20:00 21st-31st 18:15-19:45August 1st-10th 18:15-19:45 11th-20th 18:00-19:30 21st-31st 17:50-19:20September 1st-10th 17:30-19:00 11th-20th 17:20-18:50 21st-31st 17:00-18:30October 1st-10th 16:50-18:20 11th-20th 16:30-18:00 21st-31st 16:20-17:50November 1st-10th 16:15-17:45 11th-20th 16:00-17:30 21st-31st 16:00-17:30

Learn about the amazing ecology of these creatures that fly through the sky even though they are not birds

The first half is a lecture. We will answer questions like "How far can they fly?" and "What do they eat?" Of course, we will also teach you tips on how to observe them without missing anything. This will prepare you for that moment.

Live broadcast of inside the den Observe their adorable behavior

The second half of the tour will be spent observing the birds outdoors. A small camera will be set up in the roost to broadcast live footage of what is happening inside. You can closely observe the birds grooming their large tails and stretching their bodies.

Ah! It flew! A loud cheer rose up in the air.

Once everything is ready, the flying squirrels head out into the forest at dusk. Japanese flying squirrels are among the largest in the world. Watching them fly silently against the backdrop of the evening darkness will make you cheer with joy. If you manage to observe them, you will receive an original Picchio "Flying Squirrel Watcher Certificate."

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Supported language: English

About fees

Basic fee

※The list price includes tax.
※The above price is a basic fee.
※Fees may vary depending on schedule, please check the fee displayed after selecting the date.

Included in price
Not included in price

Payment methods	Online payment
Display of the Specified Commercial Transactions Act	Display of the Specified Commercial Transactions Act
Reservation cancellation fee generation date	Cancellation fee will be charged from 2 days before the event date.
About cancellation	Please note that the following cancellation fee will be charged in the case of cancellation due to customer convenience. Cancellation 2 days before: 20% Cancellation the day before: 50% Cancellation on the day: 100% Cancellation without notice: 100%
About event termination	The tour will be held in light rain. It will be canceled in case of stormy weather. (If the tour is canceled, it will be decided 1 hour and 30 minutes before the departure and those who have made a reservation will be contacted.) It will be canceled if the flying squirrels are not present.

Detailed information of this plan

Required minimum number of participants	1 Person(s)
Possible number of bookings	1～30
About duration	1～2 hours 90 minutes
Operating period	2025/3/08〜2025/11/30 March 8th - November 30th, 2024
Assembly time	Please arrive 30 minutes before your reservation time. Start times vary depending on the day.
Booking deadline	until 16:59 2 days before

Changing room		Toilet
Shower		Parking
Locker

Dress code - Must bring items	<Basic clothing> To prevent injury and insect bites, wear clothing that is easy to move in and exposes minimal skin. Pants are recommended over skirts. <Seasonal clothing guidelines> Late March-April: Coat and gloves May-June: Warm jacket such as fleece July-August: Long-sleeved jacket (even in summer it gets cold at night) Mid-September-Early October: Warm jacket such as fleece Mid-October-November: Coat and gloves
About rental items	Binoculars (free)

Dress code - Must bring items

<Basic clothing> To prevent injury and insect bites, wear clothing that is easy to move in and exposes minimal skin. Pants are recommended over skirts. <Seasonal clothing guidelines> Late March-April: Coat and gloves May-June: Warm jacket such as fleece July-August: Long-sleeved jacket (even in summer it gets cold at night) Mid-September-Early October: Warm jacket such as fleece Mid-October-November: Coat and gloves

About rental items

Binoculars (free)

Matters require attention	You will observe wild flying squirrels. The end time may vary depending on the condition of the flying squirrels. The tour will be canceled if there are no flying squirrels. Children under elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian. Children under 3 years old cannot participate. (Children cannot be accompanied) It can get cold at night, so please dress warmly. If you are concerned about insect bites, please wear long sleeves, long pants, and long socks. The location of the flying squirrel observation will change depending on the day. Depending on the location, you will travel on foot for about 5 to 20 minutes. During the observation, you will wait quietly in the dark for about 20 minutes until the flying squirrels emerge from their nests.

Matters require attention

*You will observe wild flying squirrels. The end time may vary depending on the condition of the flying squirrels. *The tour will be canceled if there are no flying squirrels. *Children under elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian. *Children under 3 years old cannot participate. (Children cannot be accompanied) *It can get cold at night, so please dress warmly. *If you are concerned about insect bites, please wear long sleeves, long pants, and long socks. *The location of the flying squirrel observation will change depending on the day. Depending on the location, you will travel on foot for about 5 to 20 minutes. *During the observation, you will wait quietly in the dark for about 20 minutes until the flying squirrels emerge from their nests.

Access - Map

Hoshino, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 389-0194

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Assembly point

Picchio

If you arrive by car

Approximately 25 minutes from the Usui Karuizawa IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway Approximately 25 minutes from the Komoro IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway via the Asama Sun Line Karuizawa's roads are very congested during Golden Week, summer, autumn weekends, etc. Please allow yourself plenty of time when visiting. Set your car navigation system to "2148 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture." Picchio does not have its own parking lot. Please use the paid parking lots in the Hoshino area. The nearest parking lot is the Hoshino Area P1 Parking Lot next to the Sonmin Shokudo, and it is about a 5-minute walk from Picchio. Parking: 250 cars, large buses: not allowed

If you arrive by train

Get off at Nakakaruizawa Station (one stop, about 4 minutes from Karuizawa Station) and walk for about 30 minutes.

If you arrive by other means of transportation

From Karuizawa Station, take the bus bound for Manza Bus Terminal or Karuizawa Office, get off at the "Hoshino Onsen Tombo no Yu" bus stop, and walk for 13 minutes.

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Activity Provider of this plan

森のいきもの案内人ピッキオ

: Nagano Karuizawa/Saku/Komoro

: Sightseeing tour/Guided tour Guided tour Eco-tourism Nature observation / Creature observation Night tour

Selling points regarding safety

・Tours are held only when the guide judges that the tour can be held safely due to weather conditions. ・We pay attention to the safety of each customer and hold tours with a number of people who can provide support. We limit the number of customers to 30 per guide and strive to hold safe tours. ・Guides who have accumulated experience and training and meet company regulations and are approved by the head guide will accompany the tour and strive to ensure the safety of customers.