Annual Welcoming of Flying Squirrels

flying squirrel

Every spring, flying squirrels make their appearance at the Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary. To celebrate their arrival, the Picchio Wildlife Research Center in Karuizawa has been offering the Flying Squirrel Watching Tour since 1995. Despite being nocturnal and typically difficult to spot, experienced Picchio nature guides with 30 years of experience are ready to help visitors observe them. So far, 95% of visitors have been able to see them, and through this program, the center hopes that visitors will leave with a better understanding of the ecology and beauty of wild animals.

Details of Flying Squirrel Watching Tour

Time Period: March 8th to November 30th 2024
Time: In the afternoon for 1.5 hrs (depending on the day, times vary)
Available to: Adults and children (4-year-olds and older)
Price: 3,400 JPY for 13 years old and over, 2,500 JPY for school children, free for children 4 years old or younger
Price includes rental fee of binoculars and tour insurance
Max. number of people in 1 tour: 30
Picchio Official Website

Picchio Mission

We believe discovering the economic potential of nature through non-destructive means is the most sustainable way to protect and preserve it for future generations. This is why we began conducting nature tours, not only with the purpose of spreading the value of nature but also to generate a self-sustained income with which we could support our conservation efforts without relying entirely on donations or grants. For us, both our conservation and eco-tours are essential for protecting nature and it is this combined approach that makes us a unique organisation.

Through our tours, we hope to bring people closer to nature while also immersing them in some of Japan’s most beautiful natural areas without causing harm to the environment. And through our conservation, we hope to ease the conflict situation between humans and bears; promoting coexistence and contributing towards the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. We hope that by combining ecologically responsible tourism with focused conservation efforts, we will ensure the preservation of our local habitats while inspiring others to share our passion for nature and wildlife.
* Hoshino Resorts global@hoshinoresorts.com