Ochiishi Nature Cruise

Ochiishi Nature Cruise Council

Trip Details

Departure
Ochiishi, Hokkaido
Schedule
Summer season June–August; Winter season January–March; advance booking required
Price
JPY 8000–12000 per person

About This Trip

The Ochiishi Nature Cruise departs from Cape Ochiishi on the Nemuro Peninsula of eastern Hokkaido, one of the premier seabird-watching coasts in East Asia. Two-and-a-half-hour tours travel the coastline to the protected offshore islands of Yururi and Moyururi, home to breeding Tufted Puffins, Spectacled Guillemots, and Rhinoceros Auklets. In summer, Ancient Murrelets, alcids, and shearwaters are common alongside feeding Steller sea lions; in winter, sea ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, and Short-tailed Albatross patrol the offshore waters.

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Keep Exploring

More pelagic trips in Hokkaido → All pelagic trips in Japan →

Before You Go

Gear checklist → Everything to pack for a day offshore. What to wear → Layers, shells and footwear for a wet deck. Best binoculars → 8x vs 10x and what matters at sea.

Further Reading

When to Go Pelagic Birding in Japan

A seasonal guide to Japan's pelagic birding calendar: the spring-only Torishima albatross cruise, Hokkaido's January–March drift ice window, and when the Rhinoceros Auklet colony at Teuri Island peaks.

Read article →

Best Pelagic Birding Trips in Japan

A guide to Japan's top pelagic trips: Short-tailed Albatross cruises at Torishima, overnight ferries to the Izu and Ogasawara Islands, and Hokkaido's drift ice eagle cruises.

Read article →

Where to See Albatrosses on Pelagic Birding Trips

A guide to where to see albatrosses on pelagic trips worldwide, including Japan — the only place to see Short-tailed Albatross near its breeding grounds — via the dedicated Torishima cruise and the Izu and Ogasawara ferry crossings.

Read article →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Ochiishi Nature Cruise depart from?

The Ochiishi Nature Cruise departs from Ochiishi, Hokkaido, Japan.

When does the Ochiishi Nature Cruise run?

Summer season June–August; Winter season January–March; advance booking required

How much does the Ochiishi Nature Cruise cost?

JPY 8000–12000 per person.

Who operates the Ochiishi Nature Cruise?

The Ochiishi Nature Cruise is operated by Ochiishi Nature Cruise Council.

How do I book the Ochiishi Nature Cruise?

You can book the Ochiishi Nature Cruise directly through Ochiishi Nature Cruise Council using the operator link on this page to check availability and reserve a seat.