Summary
During this tour, guests will have the opportunity to observe the 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 chance of
sighting this amazing creature is more than 90% as a result of our in-depth knowledge of
the squirrel’s ecology and flight route. The Japanese giant flying squirrel’s dynamic flight
will be sure to make you gasp in wonder.
Highlights
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Lecture indoors
The tour begins with a lecture on the flying squirrel’s ecology, explaining what it eats and how it glides. Of course, there will also be tips on how best to observe the flying squirrel during the observation part of the tour and binoculars will be handed out in preparation.
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Observe inside the nest
The second part of the tour takes the guests outside to a known flying squirrel nest. With our specially installed cameras, guests will be able to see inside the nest and watch live as the flying squirrel grooms it’s big 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 and glide silently into the forest. This strange and wonderful sight will have guests exclaiming in amazement. If all goes well and the observation is a success, guests will receive a Picchio original “Flying Squirrel Watcher Certificate”.
Details
- Period
- Karuizawa, March 7 to November 30, 2025
- 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) – 3,400 yen~ per person
Children (6-12 years old) – 2,500 yen~ per child
Infants (4-5 years old) – Free of charge
*Prices change depending on the date. For details, please refer to the reservation calendar. - Requirements
- Must be 4 years or older.
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 20 or older. - Booking
- You can make a reservation online up until 3 p.m. on the day of the tour.
※About request reservation slots (waiting list)
Upon reservations having reached full capacity, your reservation will become a 'request reservation'.
The capacity for this tour varies depending on the observation location of the flying squirrels.
Therefore, we will determine whether participation is possible on the day of the tour and contact you accordingly.
・Please be aware that this tour will only be held if there any flying squirrels in one of our nest boxes. You will be notified by 2.00 p.m. via email if your tour is cancelled, so please be sure to check your inbox.
・Please come to the agreed place on time. If you are late on the day, we may give your spot on the tour to another guest. - Cancellation policy
- Cancellation is free up to 2 days before the tour.
・If you cancel 2 days before the tour, a cancellation fee of 20% of the tour cost will be charged.
・If you cancel the day before the tour, a 50% cancellation fee will be charged.
・If you cancel on the day of the tour then the full cost of the tour will be charged.
In case we have to cancel the tour due to unexpected reasons (weather, observation conditions, etc.), we will contact you at least 90 minutes before the tour is scheduled to start. Please check your email or phone frequently on the day of the tour.
- Tops
- Long sleeves
Warm jacket (March – May, October – November) - Bottoms
- Long pants
- Shoes
- Casual shoes (comfortable for walking in)
- Others
- Gloves, neck warmer, or a beanie are recommended in spring and fall.
Rain gear is recommended in case it rains. - Free rental items
- Winter boots.
*These items are available on a first come, first serve basis. You can reserve items in advance if necessary.
- Notice
- Depending on the conditions, the end time of the tour may vary slightly. Please join our
tours with time to spare. - There is no restroom available once we leave the visitor center. Please keep this in mind before starting the
tour. - The temperature can fall below zero in early spring and late fall. Please prepare warm
clothing beforehand. - As the field conditions can change unexpectedly, please be aware that we cannot be
responsible for or prevent any nature-related incidents. Please be aware of your own
responsibility to protect yourself. Please also be responsible for your own body condition, if
you do not feel well please consider cancelling the tour. - Please come to the agreed place on time. If you are late on the day, we may give your
spot on the tour to another guest. - Cancellation is free up to 2 days before the tour. If you cancel 2 days before the tour, a
cancellation fee of 20% of the tour cost will be charged. If you cancel the day before the
tour, a 50% cancellation fee will be charged and if you cancel on the day of the tour then
the full cost of the tour will be charged. - In case we have to cancel the tour due to unexpected reasons (weather, observation
conditions, etc.), we will contact you at least 90 minutes before the tour is scheduled to
start. Please check your email or phone frequently on the day of the tour. - Children under 12 years of age are to be accompanied by an adult.
- Depending on the conditions, the end time of the tour may vary slightly. Please join our
