Hokkaido is a paradise for wild animals.
In particular, if you go to the eastern part of Hokkaido, where much of the natural environment remains, you have a higher chance of encountering various wild animals.

By observing carefully, you can spot numerous wild animals even while simply driving through nature.
Foxes, Hokkaido deer, and raccoons, in particular, often come out onto the road, so drivers should be careful and watch out for them suddenly appearing.

This time, we'll introduce nine types of wild animals from Hokkaido.

<Contents>
1. Brown bear
2. Ezo deer
3. Red Fox
4. Red-crowned Crane
5. Blakiston's Fish Owl
6. Orca
7. Ezo squirrel
8. Swan
9. Steller's sea eagle and white-tailed eagle
Final thoughts

While brown bears can sometimes be encountered on roads deep in the mountains, they also frequently appear in populated areas.
There are cases where tourists from outside Hokkaido spot brown bears and try to approach them, but this is extremely dangerous, so please do not approach them under any circumstances.

If you do encounter one, keep your distance, avoid shouting or running, and slowly leave the area.
If you panic and run away, it's extremely dangerous because, given the bear's nature, it might chase you.

In Hokkaido, the Sankebetsu brown bear incident is a well-known example of animal damage caused by bears.
In 1915 (Taisho 7), a tragic incident occurred in which seven people were killed and three were seriously injured in a bear attack.

Currently, a reconstructed house and a bear statue stand on the site, making it a tourist attraction.

Despite their ferocious nature, there are tours available that allow you to safely see wild bears.
I recommend the "Brown Bear Watching Course" on the Utoro Cruise on the Shiretoko Peninsula.

Image source: Godzilla Rock Tourism

On this "Brown Bear Watching Course," the brown bear sighting rate in 2015 was 96.4%.
There's a good chance you can spot wild brown bears from the sea.

Image source: Godzilla Rock Tourism

In addition, although they are not wild bears, Hokkaido has two other places where you can see bears besides zoos: Noboribetsu Bear Park and Showa Shinzan Bear Park.
Both are farms that primarily feature bears, which is quite rare nationwide.

Since it's close to a hot spring resort, it would be a good option for those who want to see bears but can't make it all the way to Shiretoko in eastern Hokkaido.

[Shiretoko Peninsula Utoro Cruise]
Tour company: Godzilla Rock Tourism
Operating period: June to October and Golden Week
Price: 5,500 yen for adults, 2,750 yen for children
URL:http://kamuiwakka.jp/cruising/

Ezo deer can be found in various parts of Hokkaido.
Recently, the number of Hokkaido deer has increased, causing various kinds of damage, which has led to a movement to eat the meat of Hokkaido deer.

I often encounter wild Hokkaido deer when driving through mountains or forests.
Occasionally, children get startled by cars and run into the road, resulting in collisions.
I myself have almost collided with Hokkaido deer twice.

(Ezo deer encountered on the Notsuke Peninsula)

I know someone who's had two unfortunate accidents while fishing in the eastern part of Hokkaido, where their car was totaled after colliding with a deer.
It appears no one was injured, but because deer are quite large, collisions with cars can cause them to crash through the windshield and into the vehicle, sometimes resulting in fatalities.

When driving in Hokkaido, be sure to drive with the utmost care.

Image source:Hokkaido Free Photo Collection DO PHOTO
Like the Hokkaido deer, the red fox can be found anywhere in Hokkaido, so you can spot them even in the suburbs of Sapporo.
They are often seen from cars driving through areas with abundant nature or mountainous regions.

Because they often venture onto the roads, many foxes, like Hokkaido deer, are hit by cars.
While winter-coated red foxes are fluffy and cute, be sure not to touch them, as there is a risk of contracting echinococcosis, a parasitic disease, if you do.

If you weren't able to see any wild foxes but still really want to, why not visit the "Northern Fox Farm"?
Here, foxes are allowed to roam freely on a vast property, allowing visitors to observe them at their leisure.

[Northern Fox Farm]
Address: 52-1 Hanaoka, Rubeshibe-cho, Kitami City
Telephone number: 0157-45-2249
営業時間：8:00～18:00（11月～3月は9:00～16:00）
Admission fee: Adults 500 yen, Junior high school students 400 yen, Elementary school students 300 yen, Infants free

The red-crowned crane is the only crane species that breeds in Japan and is a precious bird designated as a special natural monument.
At first glance, it may not seem that big, but with a wingspan of about 2.4 meters, it is the largest bird in Japan.

The Japanese name for the red-crowned crane is written as "丹頂" in kanji, and it is said that the name was given because "丹" means "red" and "頂" means "crown."

Because it resembles the Japanese flag and is familiar from fairy tales and origami cranes, it is also recognized as a bird that symbolizes Japan.
The brand mark of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) is also based on the motif of a red-crowned crane soaring beautifully in the sky.

Red-crowned cranes live in Hokkaido all year round.
The most famous habitat for red-crowned cranes in Japan is the Kushiro Marshland area, but the Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary in Tsurui Village, Akan District, has a feeding area and a nature center. Since feeding takes place at the feeding area from November to March when food for the cranes is scarce, you can observe the cranes that gather there up close.

*Photo taken by Hokkaido Lab editorial team

<Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary>
Address: Nakasetsuri Minami, Tsurui Village, Akan District
Telephone number: 0154-64-2620
Opening period: October 1st to March 31st
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed days: Every Tuesday and Wednesday (open on public holidays) *Even on closed days, it is possible to observe and photograph the red-crowned cranes.
URL:http://park15.wakwak.com/~tancho/index.html

Image source:Shiretoko Rausu Town Tourism Association

The Blakiston's fish owl is the world's largest owl and is an endangered species with only about 140 individuals remaining today.

For centuries, it has been revered by the Ainu as the "guardian deity of the village."
Given the vast size of Hokkaido, it's not easy to find them with such a small population.

Image source:Shiretoko Rausu Town Tourism Association

Incidentally, the mascot character for the soccer team "Consadole Sapporo" is based on the Blakiston's fish owl.
Furthermore, Kushiro City Zoo is the only zoo in Japan where you can see Blakiston's fish owls.

A well-known spot for encounters with them is the "Washi no Yado" guesthouse.

Here, they feed the Blakiston's fish owls and install lighting that doesn't stress the owls, playing a role in conservation awareness as a form of "visual conservation."

Originally a service for overnight guests, a new observation building, "Blakiston's Fish Owl Observation Facility," has recently been added, and there are now plans available for those who wish to observe and photograph the owls without staying overnight.
Since it's by reservation only (with a limited capacity), be sure to call ahead to confirm.

[Washi no Yado Inn]
Address: 6 Kyoei-cho, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun
Telephone number: 0153-87-2877
URL:http://www.shiretokobrownbear.com/newpage14.html
*For Blakiston's fish owl observations without overnight stays:
Shiretoko Rausu Town Tourism AssociationPlease contact us at (TEL 0153-87-3360).

Shiretoko, a World Natural Heritage site.
There, you'll find unspoiled nature and a rich ocean.

In the Nemuro Strait off the coast of Shiretoko and Rausu, you can encounter orcas, dolphins, and sperm whales.

I recommend taking a cruise ship where you can watch orcas up close.
Because orcas are very curious, if you're lucky, they may come very close to the cruise ship.

It is said that the best time to encounter orcas is from May to July, so if you really want to see them, you should visit Shiretoko during this season.

Even in the middle of summer, temperatures in Shiretoko can drop below 20℃, and it feels even colder when you're out at sea.
Make sure you're well-prepared for the cold so you can enjoy orca and whale watching.

*Image provided by: Shiretoko Nature Cruise

[Shiretoko Nature Cruise Ticket Office]
Address: 361-1 Honcho, Rausu-cho, Menashi-gun, Hokkaido (behind Michi-no-Eki Shiretoko-Rausu)
Telephone number: 0153-87-4001
URL:http://www.e-shiretoko.com/index.html

While chipmunks can sometimes be found in pet shops, Hokkaido squirrels are about 25 centimeters long, with tails measuring around 20 centimeters.
They can be found in the forests of Hokkaido if you observe carefully, so they might suddenly appear if you take a walk through the woods.

One popular spot where you have a high chance of encountering Hokkaido squirrels is the cafe "Momo Cafe," which has become a hot topic on Twitter.
While I was baking cookies, a wild Hokkaido squirrel came and tapped on the window, seemingly asking for some cookies—it was so cute!

Please note that because it is a small shop, you may not be able to enter if it gets crowded.

【Momo Cafe】
Address: 495-4 Toyosawa, Atsuma-cho, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido
Telephone number: 0145-29-7020

Image source:Hokkaido Free Photo Collection DO PHOTO

Lake Tofutsu, located in Abashiri City, is a lake that stretches along the coast of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk in eastern Hokkaido and is a wetland registered under the Ramsar Convention.

The area around Lake Tofutsu is a stopover point for migratory birds, so various wild birds come here.
Swans migrate to the area from early October to April.
The Tofutsu Lake Waterfowl and Wetland Center features exhibits on the nature, history, and culture of the area around Lake Tofutsu, and allows visitors to enjoy birdwatching from indoors.

At the "Bird Watching Hut," you can get up close and personal with swans.
The staff blog of the Lake Tofutsu Waterfowl and Wetland Center provides information on migratory birds along with photos, so it might be a good idea to check it before you go.

<Lake Tofutsu Waterfowl and Wetland Center>
Address: 203-3 Kitahama, Abashiri City
Telephone number: 0152-46-2400
Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), and during the New Year holidays (December 31st to January 5th).
URL:http://www.tofutsu-ko.jp

The Steller's sea eagle and white-tailed eagle, known as the king of the skies, are designated as a national natural monument and an endangered species.
This bird, which inhabits the northern part of the Eurasian Peninsula, migrates to the coasts of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and the Nemuro Strait from around January to April to overwinter.

In particular, Rausu on the Nemuro Strait side, where fishing continues even in winter, is home to many Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles that have come in search of fish for food. Many photographers and tourists from both within Japan and overseas visit to see these majestic birds.

If you want to fully enjoy seeing Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles, we recommend taking a sightseeing cruise ship departing from Rausu Port.
They can be seen soaring over the sea, and during the drift ice season, they can be seen resting their wings on the ice floes. Many can also be seen on breakwaters.

*Photo taken by Hokkaido Lab editorial team

As for how to distinguish between a Steller's sea eagle and a white-tailed eagle, the most important point is their beaks.
The Steller's sea eagle has a more vibrant orange-yellow color, while the white-tailed eagle has a lighter color.
Also, in terms of overall form, those with distinct black and white colors are Steller's sea eagles, while those with a grayish coloration are white-tailed eagles.

Why not visit Rausu in winter to witness its magnificent beauty?

<Shiretoko Rausu Town Tourism Association>
TEL +0153-87-3360-XNUMX
http://www.rausu-shiretoko.com/

<Conclusion>

One of the wild animals I wanted to introduce this time was the spotted seal, but the "Seal Observation Station" in Wakkanai City, which was popular for allowing visitors to see wild spotted seals up close, closed down in 2015.

The reason given is that the damage caused by seals devouring octopuses has increased dramatically, and the need for hunters to cull them could negatively impact the image of tourism if people witness it firsthand, so the operation has been reluctantly suspended.
Let's wait and hope that it will resume someday.

Finally, while you may encounter wild animals in various places in Hokkaido, please follow these rules.

- Do not feed them (this is why tame animals get hit by cars).
- Do not touch animals (some animals carry harmful bacteria and viruses).
- Do not park in dangerous areas (even if you encounter one while driving).
- Do not use flash photography (especially for nocturnal animals).
- Join a reliable guided tour and listen to and follow the guide's instructions.

With these points in mind, please take the time to observe the magnificent nature and the wild animals that inhabit it in Hokkaido!

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