Kagoshima Crane Watching Tour (Nov. - Feb.)
Let's visit Izumi town, located at the west side of Kagoshima prefecture, where is a well-known area for the biggest migration of cranes in Japan. The number of the migratory cranes can be over 10.000 at the peak in January. Even if you are not a birder, it’s a must-see symbolic thing in winter in Kagoshima!!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Kagoshima port, Kagoshima airport, or your hotel.
- Pick-up at Kagoshima port, Kagoshima airport, or your hotel as you like.
Izumi Crane Center
Located 2-hour drive from the central of Kagoshima, Izumi town is the largest migration grounds of cranes in Japan and thousands of cranes will be waiting for you there. Hooded cranes and White-naped cranes are the major species, but you may encounter black-crowned cranes and sandhill cranes if you are lucky.
Lunch or tea break
Lunch or tea break, depending on your preference.
Imuta lake
On the way back to the central of Kagoshima, we will make a stop at Imuta lake where you can enjoy watching a number of winter migratory birds such as mute swan, garganey and great cormorant. The 60-acre freshwater lake was formed about 300.000 years ago by volcanic eruption and is now recognized as a Ramsar site.
Back to Kagoshima port, Kagoshima airport, or your hotel.
Back to Kagoshima port, Kagoshima airport, or your hotel.
Ending Point
Kagoshima port, Kagoshima airport, or your hotel.
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-Transport (Toyota Voxy or Suzuki Hustler))
-Gasoline
-Parking
-Guide
-Entrance fee for Izumi Crane Center (¥220)
-Lunch or tea break
Tour Important Information
* Please note that the tour is conducted November - February.
* The number of the cranes and the other birds you will watch depends on the condition of the tour's day.
please note that the tour is conducted November - February.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Eiji K.
Hi I'm Eiji, an English-speaking tour guide in Kagoshima and Amami Oshima.
Born in Tokyo and left the bustling capital when I was 22 years old with my little backpack. After spent my youth to see and experience the world, more than 25 countries in total, and lived in several areas of Japan, such as Yakushima, Izu, Kochi, and Amami Oshima. Now, I’m based in Kagoshima, still have a wanderlust…
Since 2010, I have worked as an English-speaking tour guide in Japan, for INTREPID TRAVEL for 3 years, as a sea kayak tour guide in Izu for 3 years, and as a self-employed in Amami Oshima for 9 years, love to show people around my favorite places.
My interests are traveling, birding, playing with nature, and cooking as well...
I'm looking forward to sharing our time together!!
Reviews
Choon heong K.
“Sakurajima and Chiran Peace Museum and Samurai District”
We are a group of 4 adults from Singapore on a Japan cruise holiday stopping in Kagoshima for a day. Mr Eiji K was our private guide in Kagoshima. Eiji-san is a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, with a very pleasant and friendly personality. He speaks very fluent English, communicates well and has a good sense of humour. He is punctual and covers the itinerary of our tour very efficiently with due consideration to our cruise ship's departure time from the port. Due to rainy weather condition, we decided, after visiting Sakurajima, to skip the Sengan-en Garden strolling part of our tour and instead requested Eiji-san to take us to the nearby small town of Chiran to visit the Peace Museum (history of Kamikaze pilots) and the Samurai District. Eiji-san was very flexible and amenable to switch the itinerary, although the driving distance from Sakurajima was quite far and knowing the change would result in our agreed tour time period being exceeded. Both these places were surprisingly very interesting and educational although they are not well advertised in travel websites. The mini-van used for our trip was very comfortable, clean and safe. Overall, we had a very enjoyable day with Eiji-san as our guide. We highly recommend Mr Eiji K as a private guide for Kagoshima. CH Koh Singapore
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Eiji K.
Thank you for the great review, Choon-san! Very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour a lot :) I hope you will keep on your journey safe and enjoyable. Hope we will see each other in the future. Arigato! Eiji
Taewoong L.
“Best choice for Kagoshima whisky tour”
If you are looking for whisky tour for Kanosuke and Tsunuki in a day, Eiji guide will be the best choice! Otherwise, I wouldn't have any chance to visit both distilleries in this short period.
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Eiji K.
Thank you for coming to my tour, Taewoong. Very happy to hear that you enjoyed the whiskey tour. I was very glad that you as our country’s neighbor are interested in Japanese culture which made me want to visit your country again! Arigato!! Eiji
Brigitta I.
“Unforgettable Chiran and Eiji”
Among all the trips that I have undertaken so far in Japan the trip to Chiran, to the Samurai Residence Gardens and the Peace Museum dedicated to the kamikaze pilots of WWII, is one of those that will stay in my memory the longest. The well-kept Samurai residences and their sophisticated gardens are beautiful (quiet and uncrowded) and the Peace Museum heart-rending. However, what truly made the experience unforgetable was Eiji’s company: Eiji is an excellent guide with an outstanding personality, reliable, cultivated and open-minded, he speaks better English than I do ;-) and patiently answered my hundreds of questions with sincerity and profound knowledge. Without him my trip to Chiran, although impressive, would have lingered on the surface, thanks to him I learned so much about the places we visited and on Japan’s past and present in general. Thank you, Eiji, I truly appreciated your company !
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Eiji K.
Thank you for coming to my tour, Brigitta. Very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour! I also enjoyed sharing our time and chatting together. I hope we will see each other again! Arigato! Eiji
$245/ per group
More tours by Eiji K.
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Kagoshima Highlights - Sakurajima exploring & Sengan-en garden strolling
Easy to start from Marine Port Kagoshima and the downtown, Kagoshima Highlights include 2 must-go destinations in the area. At Sakurajima, you can feel up the active volcano close and enjoy the foot bath for refreshing. Hop on a ferry and you will get there in 15 minutes!! Visit Sengan-en garden, well-conserved feudal lord's garden from Edo period (1600s-1800s) for the great view of Sakurajima and the unique history and culture of the area. Let's enjoy Kagoshima to the fullest together!!
Kagoshima Highlights - Sakurajima exploring & Sengan-en garden strolling
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Chiran Samurai Residence Gardens & Chiran Peace Museum with private car
Let's visit Chiran, the peaceful southern town in Kagoshima, for the famous Samurai gardens and Peace museum! At Samurai residence gardens, you can enjoy strolling around the variety of Japanese gardens preserved from Edo period(1600s-1800s). At Peace museum, you can learn about Kamikaze pilots in Chiran during WW2. The exhibits include the photographs of 1306 pilots. On the way back to the starting point, we will stop at Bakken hill for the panoramic view of Mt. Kaimon and tea terraces.
Chiran Samurai Residence Gardens & Chiran Peace Museum with private car
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Miyazaki Highlights - Private tour with guide's car
A tailor-made English-speaking private tour by car in Miyazaki, just for you. Miyazaki, located at the southernmost of Kyushu is known as “Hinata of Nippon”, translated as “Sunny place of Japan” by its longest sunlight times of the country. Let's explore Miyazaki to the fullest for its unique nature, culture and history!!
Miyazaki Highlights - Private tour with guide's car
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Kagoshima Culture Tour - Miyama pottery village & Satsuma Kiriko glassworks
Because Kagoshima is the southernmost prefecture of Japan except for Okinawa, the region has been open toward the south and the west outside of the country and accepted different culture from oversea since long ago. That’s why a variety of unique culture was developed in Kagoshima, and the craftsmen and the artisans of the region have been conserving their traditions for generations. Why don't you take a glimpse of the unique culture while you are Kagoshima!!
Kagoshima Culture Tour - Miyama pottery village & Satsuma Kiriko glassworks
Other Popular Car Tour (driving guide) Tours in Kagoshima
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Kagoshima personalize private tour
Go with guide and private car. All guide fee and private transportation fee are included. We will go for -visiting Whisky Distillery (Or: Japanese Shochu Distillery) -enjoy the beautiful view of Kaimon volcano in nature Park (Or: Kamabuta Shrine in beach) - Lunch break at local restaurant -walking in Samurai resident village (Or: Kamikaze pilots of Chiran Peace Museum) *Tour can be customized, please feel free to leave me a message.
Kagoshima personalize private tour
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Half-day Highlights of Kagoshima City,Car Tour (driving guide).
Kagoshima’s Resilient Spirit Kagoshima transformed barren volcanic plateaus and heavy rain into thriving agriculture and marine wealth. Its history of leading Japan’s modernization—hailed as the "Oriental Miracle"—reflects a spirit of resilience and innovation. Despite past challenges, the people remain bright, active, and forward-thinking. Join me on a drive to discover the "secret keys" to this legendary positivity. I look forward to exploring the heart of Kagoshima with you!
Half-day Highlights of Kagoshima City,Car Tour (driving guide).
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Kagoshima Highlights - Sakurajima exploring & Sengan-en garden strolling
Easy to start from Marine Port Kagoshima and the downtown, Kagoshima Highlights include 2 must-go destinations in the area. At Sakurajima, you can feel up the active volcano close and enjoy the foot bath for refreshing. Hop on a ferry and you will get there in 15 minutes!! Visit Sengan-en garden, well-conserved feudal lord's garden from Edo period (1600s-1800s) for the great view of Sakurajima and the unique history and culture of the area. Let's enjoy Kagoshima to the fullest together!!
Kagoshima Highlights - Sakurajima exploring & Sengan-en garden strolling
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Sand Bath Experience & Samurai Village – Cruise-Friendly Day Tour
Join me for an adventure through southern Kagoshima! From the cruise port, we’ll head to Ibusuki — where you’ll be gently buried in warm volcanic sand by the seaside — you can only experience here! Then we’ll go to the Flowing Somen Noodles spot, where you get to catch your lunch :-) It’s a fun Japanese culinary adventure — Try to catch the noodles with your chopsticks and dip them in tasty sauce. then to beautifully preserved samurai residence in Chiran town from the Edo period.
Sand Bath Experience & Samurai Village – Cruise-Friendly Day Tour
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