Wildlife Night Drive
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Price
¥6,500～
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Duration
1.5 hours
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Hosted in
English and Japanese (English level may vary depending on your guide)
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.
April - August: 7:30 - 9:30 PM
September - October 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.
Adults (12 and over) 6, 500 JPY
Children (4 to 11) 4, 500 JPY
*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.
Details
- Period
- From April 18 to October 31, 2026
- Time
- 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. （April - August）
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.（September – October） - Price
- Adults (13 years old and above) – 6,500 yen～ per person
Children (4-12 years old) – 4,500 yen～ per child
*Prices change depending on the date. For details, please refer to the reservation calendar. - Requirement
- Must be 4 years or older
*Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian aged 20 or older. - Meeting Place
- Nature Kids Forest House (View Directions)
*The tour starts at Nature Kids Forest House, not at Picchio Visitor Center - Booking
- You can make a reservation online up until 4:30 p.m. on the day of the tour.
＊Once capacity for the tour is reached, reservations will be closed so we recommend you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Credit card required upon booking.
- Tops
- Long sleeves
Warm jacket (April – May, October) - Bottoms
- Long pants
- Shoes
- Casual shoes (comfortable for walking in)
- Others
- Gloves, or neck warmer are recommended in early spring and late fall
- Free rental items
- Fleece jacket.
*These items are available on a first come, first serve basis. You can reserve items in advance if necessary.
- Notice
- 1. Meeting Place (Important!)
The tour starts at Nature Kids Forest House, NOT at Picchio Visitor Center.
2. Tour Experience
Wildlife: Encounters are highly likely but not 100% guaranteed.
Restrooms: Not available during the tour. Please go beforehand.
Duration: End time may vary slightly depending on animal activity.
3. Safety & Requirements
Clothing: Please dress warmly, even though you will be in a vehicle for most of the tour.
Health & Safety: Participation is at your own risk. Please cancel if feeling unwell.
Age Requirement: Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
4. Punctuality & Cancellation
Punctuality: Please arrive on time. Latecomers may lose their spot.
By Guest: 2 days before: 20% | 1 day before: 50% | Day of tour: 100%
By Picchio: If we must cancel due to weather/conditions, we will notify you at least 60 mins before the tour.
