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Drift ice & bird watching cruise (Winter) / Shiretoko

Original price ¥4,400 - Original price ¥11,000
Original price
¥11,000
¥4,400 - ¥11,000
Current price ¥11,000
 Shiretoko (Rausu), Hokkaido    
 Safety measures    
 2.5 hours (Approx.)      
 Offered in: English
What you will do
Cruising while looking for animals and birds that have overwintered in Shiretoko while squeezing the drift ice with a cruise boat. Approximately 700 white-tailed eagles and Steller's sea eagles that come during the drift ice season can be seen with high probability.
Whenever we discover animals, we will notify you with a microphone and a speaker on board, and the staff will carefully guide you about the ecology, characteristics, habits, etc. At the same time, you can get a closer look at the Alaska Pollack fishing boats that start around January. Only Rausu can board a drift-ice sightseeing boat on the Shiretoko Peninsula in winter.
Duration begin Feb - begin Mar
Price

11,000 yen/person (Adults 13-100 / Boarding with a single-lens reflex camera)
8,800 yen/person (Adults 13-100 / Boarding without a single-lens reflex camera)
4,400 yen/person (Child 7-12)

Age No age requirement
Children 6 and under are free.
Schedule -Early morning tour
 (start at 5:00-6:00 and finish at 7:30-8:30)
-Morning tour
    8:30-11:00
 (start at 8:30 and finish at 11:00)
What's Included
 Boarding fee
 Guide fee
 All taxes
 Insurance fee
 Meal
 Drink
 Pickup & dropoff service

Departure & Return
Departure Point
Location: Nature Cruise office
Address: 27-1 Honmachi, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido
How to get there: 
*You can check the location of the Meeting Point on G-map by clicking here.
*Check-in is required 30 minutes prior to cruise departure time at Ichar Cruise Office. (Check-in time 04:30⁻05:00/08:00⁻08:30) 
Early morning flights will depart at sunrise. Since the time will be irregular, please call us the day before to confirm the departure time.
*After receiving a ticket at the Nature Cruise Office, board the boat at Rausu Port. It takes about 5 minutes on foot from the Nature Cruise Office to Rausu Port.

Return Details:
Location: Nature Cruise office
Address: 27-1 Honmachi, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido
-1.5 hour from Nemuro Nakashibo Airport
-3.0 hours from Memanbetsu Airport
-3.5 hours from Kushiro Airport
Things to know
1. Guest requirements 
  -If you bring your own photography equipment (single-lens reflex camera, tripod, etc.) onto the boat, you will be charged a fee for bringing in the equipment.
-Unlike large ships, cruisers used for tours are susceptible to waves and will sway, so please be careful when moving around the ship.
-Please note that you will be responsible for damage to your belongings such as cameras due to splashing waves, damage due to the shaking of the ship, and loss in the sea.
-Departure time and travel time may vary slightly depending on sea conditions.
-Even if you make a reservation, it may be canceled due to sea conditions.
-Course content may be changed or canceled due to weather.
-Since we are dealing with nature, it is not 100% guaranteed to meet animals.
-Check-in is required 30 minutes prior to cruise departure time at Ichar Cruise Office. 
(Check-in time 04:30⁻05:00/08:00⁻08:30) 
Early morning flights will depart at sunrise. Since the time will be irregular, please call us the day before to confirm the departure time.
-After receiving a ticket at the Nature Cruise Office, board the boat at Rausu Port. It takes about 5 minutes on foot from the Nature Cruise Office to Rausu Port.
-Please note that you may board a cruise ship of another company that is affiliated with us. The tour content and price will not change.
-Please note that it is not 100% guaranteed to see drift ice or wild animals.
 The level is beginner

2. What to bring
-In Rausu, there are many days when the temperature does not reach 20°C even in the middle of summer, and the sea feels even colder. Please take measures against the cold such as preparing a jacket before boarding the boat.
-If you are worried about seasickness, please prepare your own medicine to prevent seasickness. We do not sell them.
-Please note that you will be responsible for damage to your camera due to sea spray, damage due to the rocking of the ship, loss of your belongings in the sea, etc.

4. Cancellation policy 
[Cancellation charges]
‐7 days before the tour start time: 50%
‐2 days before the tour start time: 75%
‐On the day of the tour: 100%
-You can cancel up to 7 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 7 days before the experience’s start time.
‐If you cancel less than 7 days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
‐Any changes made less than 7 days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
‐Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
‐This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
‐This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.