Private Car Oriental White Stork Tour (with English-speaking guide)
This tour is only from March-November
The once-extinct Oriental White Storks were last seen flying in the skies of Japan right here in Toyooka City.
To save the Oriental White Stork from complete extinction, the city first had to capture the last remaining ones and raise them in captivity before releasing them back into the wild.
Due to these efforts, now over 350 storks fly freely in Japan.
Through this tour, learn about the ecology of the storks and the city's commitment to fulfilling their promise of returning the Oriental White Storks to Japan's skies.
Explore the Nature
Visit the museum of Nature dedicated to the restoration of the Oriental White Stork.
You will learn about the storks, breeding, and the conservation program through a 10 min documentary and explanations given by a museum staff.
Customize your visit
Before lunch, take a ride to find wild white storks in the fields.
・For shrine and folklore lovers, take a detour to Kukuhi Shrine, the local shrine of the Oriental White Stork.
・For nature lovers, go to rice paddy fields or Hachigoro Toshima Wetlands for seeing storks in the wild, with nearby nesting towers for viewing baby chicks in the spring!
Take a Lunch Break
Have a traditional “teishoku” lunch abundant in vegetables and rice grown right in the area. The restaurant located by the river offers a great view of the surrounding nature.
UNESCO Global Geopark Site
Visit Toyooka's Genbudo Caves, part of the UNESCO San'in Kaigan Geopark. Discover how 1.6 million years have shaped the landscape into a perfect living place for the oriental white storks coexisting with humans.
Boat Excursion
Board a small boat to cross the Maruyama River. The captain’s explanation will provide the perfect conclusion to today’s nature exploration.
DETAILS
- REGISTRATION START
- 2025/03/01
- REGISTRATION ENDS
- 2025/11/30
- RESERVATION DEADLINE
- 11 days before activity
- SCHEDULE
(Some times may differ) -
・10:00: Meet a guide at your accommodation in Kinosaki Town
・Transfer to Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork by private taxi
・Visit Oriental White Stork museum and park and watch a 10minutes film about the white stork's return to the town.
・Board a private taxi to spot wild white storks
- Destination options; Kukuhi Shrine, Rice Fields and Toshima Wetlands
・Lunch at Genbudo Museum
・Visit Genbudo Caves and discover how ancient volcanic forces shaped the white stork sanctuary's ecosystem.
・Cross the Maruyama River by boat and take a train to Kinosaki Onsen Station (taxi transfer may replace the boat due to weather)
・14:35 Tour finish at Kinosaki Onsen Train Station
- ACCOMPANYING GUIDE
(INCLUDED OR NOT) - Included
- MINIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE
- 2
- MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE
- 6
- AGE REQUIREMENT
- 12 years old and up
- MEETING PLACE
- Kinosaki Onsen Station, 283 Yushima, Kinosaki-cho, Toyooka-shi, Hyogo 669-6101
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION
-
・If you are late, your activity may be cancelled.
・Please note that there is no guarantee guests will see wild storks. The best time for wild stork watching is during April-July, when newly hatched chicks are in their nests.
・In the event of inclement weather, all transport will be done via taxi.
・Please bring a hat, towel, walking shoes, and rainwear.
- PRICES
(Per person unless otherwise noted) -
Number of Participants Price per Adult 1 person N/A 2 people 37,000 yen 3 people 31,000 yen 4 people 26,000 yen 5 people 22,000 yen 6 people 20,000 yen
- INCLUDED IN THE PRICING
- Train ticket, boat fee, charter car, English-speaking guide, lunch, souvenir, museum admission, donation, insurance
- CANCELLATION FEES
-
Day of Cancellation Cancellation Fee (% of activity price) After 17:00 1 weekday before 100% 7-1 weekday before by 17:00 50% 10-8 weekdays before 30% 11+ weekdays before 0%
- ACCEPTED PAYMENT TYPES
- Pay by credit card (VISA, MASTER, JCB, AMEX, DC) via an activity confirmation link in an e-mail that we will send to you following your reservation.
- OPERATOR NAME
- Toyooka Tourism Innovation