Summary
Karuizawa is surrounded by abundant nature and many wild animal species live nearby. However, most of them are mainly active at night and are difficult to see during the day. On this tour, guests have the opportunity to explore the nighttime forests and grasslands searching for wildlife with spotlights we provide. Sika deer, hare, and foxes are the most likely to appear, but on some nights, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a badger, raccoon dog or wild boar. The thrill as your eyes meet theirs in the dark is likely to be a memorable experience for all.
*This tour starts at Nature Kids Forest House, and not at the Picchio Visitor Center.*
Highlights
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1. High probability of encountering wild animals
The biggest feature of this tour is that you are likely to see wild animals. The encounter rate over the past three years was 98.2%. The guides at Picchio are familiar with the ecology of all the wildlife species and will be able to guide you through the unique aspects of living creatures from an expert perspective, not only from observing the animals themselves but also from observing the surrounding natural environment and ecosystem as a whole.
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2. Finding wildlife using Light Census
Light census is a mammal research technique whereby a spotlight is used at night to find and count species such as deer which are more active during this time. On this tour, we will observe wildlife in the same way. Driving at low speeds in a car equipped with observation lights, we will illuminate the surroundings and expose many glowing eyes. The observation lights illuminate not only the front but also the left and right so you can search for animals with a wide field of view all from inside the car. In locations where it is safe to do so, we can get out of the vehicle and get closer on foot, provided that this does not disturb the animals being observed.
