Flying Squirrel Watching Tour
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Price
¥3,500~
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Duration
1.5 hours
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Hosted in
English & Japanese (English level may vary depending on your guide)
Summary
During this tour, guests will have the opportunity to observe a Japanese giant flying
squirrel, an endemic species of Japan and one of the largest flying squirrel species in the
world, as it opens its cloak-like body and glides into the forest at sunset. The likelihood of
seeing this amazing creature is more than 90% as a result of our in-depth knowledge of
the squirrel’s ecology and flight routes. The Japanese giant flying squirrel’s dynamic flight
will be sure to make you gasp in wonder.
Highlights
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Indoor Lecture
The tour begins with a lecture on the flying squirrel’s ecology, explaining what it eats, how it glides, and other interesting facts. Of course, there will also be tips on how best to observe the flying squirrel during the observation part of the tour and rental binoculars will be provided.
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Peek inside the nest box
The second part of the tour takes the guests outside to a flying squirrel nest box. With our specially installed cameras, guests will be able to see inside the nest box and watch as the flying squirrel grooms it’s long tail, stretches, and prepares to leave for a night of gliding.
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Observe the flying squirrel’s flight!
As dusk fully settles in, the flying squirrel will leave the nest box and glide silently into the forest. This strange and wonderful sight will have guests exclaiming in amazement. If all goes well and the sighting is a success, guests will receive an original Picchio “Flying Squirrel Watcher Certificate”.
**Important Notice** ・The tour is held only if there is a flying squirrel in a nest box. Please be aware that there are rare cases where all nest boxes are empty and we have to cancel the tour. You will be notified by email and refunded in full for any payments made in advance. While we do our best to ensure you get to see a giant flying squirrel, they are wild animals and guarantees cannot be made.
Details
- Period
- Karuizawa, March 13 to November 30, 2026
- Time
* We are observing wild animals and so the finishing time of the tour will depend on the actions of the flying squirrel.1st - 10th 11th - 20th 21st - 31st March - 17:30 - 19:00 17:30 - 19:00 April 17:30 - 19:00 17:45 - 19:15 17:45 - 19:15 May 18:00 - 19:30 18:10 - 19:40 18:20 - 19:50 June 18:30 - 20:00 18:30 - 20:00 18:30 - 20:00 July 18:30 - 20:00 18:30 - 20:00 18:15 - 19:45 August 18:15 - 19:45 18:00 - 19:30 17:50 - 19:20 September 17:30 - 19:00 17:20 - 18:50 17:00 - 18:30 October 16:50 - 18:20 16:30 - 18:00 16:20 - 17:50 November 16:15 - 17:45 16:00 - 17:30 16:00 - 17:30 - Price
- Adults (13 years old and above) – 3,500 yen~ per person
Children (4-12 years old) – 2,500 yen~ per child
*Prices change depending on the date. For details, please refer to the reservation calendar. - Requirements
- Must be 4 years or older. (No children aged 3 and under, even with a guardian.)
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by a guardian aged 20 or older. - Meeting place
- Picchio Visitor Center
※Please note, that for guests participating between November 18 and November 30, the meeting location has been changed to Sonmin-Shokudo.
A reception desk will be set up inside the restaurant. Please follow the signs at the venue to enter the building. - Booking
- Booking & Payment
・Deadline: Book online by 3:00 PM on the day of the tour.
・Payment: Credit card required upon booking.
Waiting List (Request Reservation)
・If reservations are full, your reservation will be put on a "waitlist request" list.
・Since capacity depends on the observation site on the day, we will notify you on the day of the tour if a spot is available.
Important Notices
・Tour Conditions: The tour is held only if there is a flying squirrel in a nest box. Please be aware that there are rare cases where there are no squirrels on the day, in which case you will be notified by email and refunded in full for any payments made in advance.
We check the nest boxes every day and the nest box to be used on the day of the tour is checked again before the tour starts. However, there are extremely rare cases where a squirrel will leave the nest box during the day (predators, nearby construction etc.). If all of the nest boxes are empty, you will be notified via email. Please be sure to check your emails regularly on the day and we ask for your understanding. - Cancellation policy
- ・Cancellation by guest: 2 days before: 20% | Day before: 50% | Day of tour: 100%
・Cancellation by Picchio: If we must cancel due to weather, empty nest boxes, etc., we will notify you at least 90 mins before the tour. Please check your email/phone regularly on the day.
- Tops
- Long sleeves
Warm jacket (March – May, October – November) - Bottoms
- Long pants
- Shoes
- Casual shoes (comfortable for walking in)
For children, please avoid wearing shoes with lights that flash. - Others
- Gloves, neck warmer, or a beanie are recommended in spring and fall.
Rain gear is recommended in case it rains. Umbrellas will be available in the case of light rain.
- Notice
- 1. Check-in & Timing
・Be Punctual: Late arrivals may lose their spot.
・Flexible End Time: Tour duration may vary slightly depending on the observation site on the day.
2. Tour Environment
・Walking & Accessibility: Requires 5–20 mins of walking on unpaved forest trails. Strollers and wheelchairs are not permitted.
・Observation: We will wait quietly in the dark for about 20 mins.
・Restrooms: Not available during the tour. Please go beforehand.
3. Clothing & Safety
・Dress Warmly: Temperatures can drop below freezing in spring and fall.
・Health & Safety: Field conditions can change unexpectedly. Guests are responsible for their own health and safety.
・Requirements: Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult (20+).
4. Cancellation Policy
・Cancellation by guest: 2 days before: 20% | Day before: 50% | Day of tour: 100%
・Cancellation by Picchio: If we must cancel due to weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, we will notify you at least 90 mins before the tour. Please check your email/phone regularly on the day.
