Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise

Shiretoko Nature Cruise

Trip Details

Departure
Rausu, Shiretoko, Hokkaido
Schedule
Late January to mid-March; multiple daily departures (sunrise, 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM)
Price
JPY 5000–12000 per person

About This Trip

The Rausu Drift Ice Cruise operates in the Nemuro Strait along the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where seasonal drift ice from the Sea of Okhotsk creates one of the world's most dramatic winter wildlife spectacles. Up to 700 Steller's Sea Eagles and White-tailed Eagles gather on the sea ice, making this the best place on Earth to observe these endangered giants at close range from a boat. Spectacled Guillemots, Harlequin Ducks, Long-tailed Ducks, and Ancient Murrelets are also regularly seen in the open water leads between ice floes.

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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.

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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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise depart from?

The Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise departs from Rausu, Shiretoko, Hokkaido, Japan.

When does the Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise run?

Late January to mid-March; multiple daily departures (sunrise, 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM)

How much does the Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise cost?

JPY 5000–12000 per person.

Who operates the Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise?

The Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise is operated by Shiretoko Nature Cruise.

How do I book the Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise?

You can book the Rausu Drift Ice & Bird Watching Cruise directly through Shiretoko Nature Cruise using the operator link on this page to check availability and reserve a seat.