Nagano

Travel

“Private bird hunting” that monopolizes the forest in the early morning with beautiful fresh green, where the chirping of wild birds echoes

2021.02.04

Hoshinoya Karuizawa, a stay-type resort in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, will hold a “private bird hunting” for a limited time from March 22nd to May 31st, 2021. This is a one-group limited activity to go looking for wild birds with the staff of the wildlife expert “Picchio” at “Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary” adjacent to Hoshinoya Karuizawa. You can enjoy the early morning forest with beautiful fresh greenery, with the chirping of wild birds.

Siberian blue robin

Karuizawa is a plateau located at the southern foot of Mt. Asama. It is an environment rich in nature blessed with abundant water, vegetation, and clean air. The Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary, which is adjacent to Hoshinoya Karuizawa, is designated as one of the four wild bird forests set by the government because it is home to a variety of wild birds throughout the year due to its blessed environment.

In spring, wild birds that have survived winter come flying for breeding in the southern countries, and when there are many, about 25 species can be observed. Male wild birds during this period have a habit of singing as one of their courtship activities, and they sing particularly actively immediately after sunrise.

The forest at the same time is a fantastic, beautiful, extraordinary space where there are few people and only the sounds of nature echo and the sunlight shines through. Therefore, for those who are stressed by many restrictions and oppression due to the social life of the corona virus, we decided to implement it from the desire to enjoy bird watching in the forest in the early morning of spring and to refresh from the bottom of our hearts.

Early morning forest like a charter

Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary is a vast forest of about 100ha. The rich nature still remains, and you can observe about 80 kinds of wild birds every year. The early morning when this activity is held is a time when there are few people and the sound of the wind and the chirping of birds are comfortable.

Also, in the early morning of Karuizawa, where the cold remains even in early spring, morning fog will occur with high probability due to the temperature difference from the night. As the sun rises, the sun shines through the trees, and the light hits the morning mist, creating a fantastic and beautiful view. In addition, this activity is a private tour limited to one group. You can enjoy the beautiful and vast forest as if you were renting it out.

25 kinds of wild birds that can be enjoyed only in spring

Blue-and-white fly
Narcissus flycatcher

From March to May, the Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary is visited by a variety of tropical wild birds that have survived the winter for breeding. When there are many, about 25 kinds come flying and you can observe colorful wild birds. In addition, spring is said to be the season of love for wild birds, and immediately after sunrise, males sing all at once to declare territory and attract the attention of females. The appearance of birds that can be observed only at this time of the year and the sound of chirping are very beautiful and heal the hearts of people.

For example, “Ooruri” is said to be a “happy blue bird” with a bright lapis lazuli body. It is characterized by a high, clear and beautiful voice that is called “Japan’s Three Songbirds” along with the Japanese bush warbler and robin. In addition, “Kibitaki” is characterized by an eye-catching orange body, and has a beautiful voice called “Forest Piccolo Player”. It screams brightly and loudly as the sun rises.

Private guide by wildlife expert "Picchio"

The activity will be guided by the staff of the wildlife expert Picchio. The staff knows Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary so much that you can tell the type just by crying, and loves creatures.

Not only do you know the names of animals and plants, but you also know the ecology hidden in their shapes and behaviors, so you can quickly find the appearance of wild birds that you might miss and guide you to places where they are likely to appear. Also, at the end of the tour, soak in the lingering sound with a latte with a picture of a wild bird. You can enjoy bird watching even more with a private guide by Picchio.

* Recommended after the experience. Warm your body in a hot spring that flows directly from the source
At Hoshinoya Karuizawa, there are two hot springs that flow directly from the source, which inherits the history of Hoshino Onsen, which excels in rich spring quality and quantity. After the outdoor experience, you can warm your body and relax by taking a hot spring bath.

Hoshino Onsen Dragonfly Hot Spring

Hoshino Onsen Dragonfly Hot Spring (Open-air)

There is a fragrant cypress indoor bath, an open-air bath, a sauna, and a space where you can take a bath in the cold winter air. You can enjoy bathing while listening to the chirping of birds, the murmuring of the river, and the sound of the wind. In addition, although it is open as a one-day hot spring, there is a special time for guests in the morning, so you can enjoy it slowly without worrying about congestion.

Mediation bath

Meditation bath (Hikari no Yu)

This hot spring is exclusively for Hoshinoya Karuizawa guests, where you can experience the unique bathing method “meditation bathing” that goes back and forth between light and darkness. With a lukewarm spring temperature of about 39 to 40 degrees Celsius, the parasympathetic nerves of the autonomic nervous system dominate and lead to a relaxed mode.

Overview of "Private Bird Search"

Period: March 22nd-May 31st, 2021 (with exclusion dates)
Price: 28,000 yen per person (tax and service charge not included) * Accommodation charge not included
Location: Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary
Time: 5: 00-6: 30 (90 minutes)
Capacity: 1 group per day (up to 4 people)
Target: Hoshinoya Karuizawa Guest

>Click here for reservation

Remarks
・ The holding time may change according to the time of sunrise.
・ Binoculars, wild bird pictorial book, outerwear, shoes, raincoats and rain boots for rainy weather are available for rent.
・ Excluded during Golden Week
・ Held in the rain. Canceled only in stormy weather
・ Because it is unpaved, strollers and wheelchairs cannot be used.
・ For 4 years old and over

Highest level corona countermeasure declaration

[1] Hygiene management
At Hoshino Resorts, as part of our corona measures, we take the following measures in consideration of our customers’ health and public health.
・ Temperature measurement at check-in
・ In addition to normal room cleaning, cleaning and wiping with alkaline electrolyzed water inside the hotel
・ Alcohol for sterilization is installed in various places in the building
・ Rubbing alcohol for hand disinfection is installed in all guest rooms
・ Alcohol disinfection of fingers for all customers when entering the restaurant
・ High-temperature cleaning of tableware (plates, glasses) and cutlery (80 degrees or higher), disinfection cleaning of meal trays
・ Install partitions such as panels and vinyl sheets on the front
・ Wear a mask when serving customers in the hall
・ Thorough management of staff health and hygiene (temperature measurement and record confirmation before going to work)
・ Humidifiers that maintain a humidity of 40% or more are installed in all guest rooms (excluding facilities in Hoshinoya Tokyo and Okinawa Prefecture).
・ QR code of menus in restaurants (all facilities of the world brand)

[2] 3 Dense avoidance
We are taking the following measures to create a stay that avoids the three “denseness” of closed, dense, and close.
・ The degree of congestion in the large communal bath can be seen on a smartphone. 3 Visualization of density and implementation of congestion prediction service (partial)
・ Restrictions on admission and entry in places where congestion is confirmed during your stay
・ Manage restaurant congestion and decentralize entry time
・ At the time of check-out front payment, entry restrictions will be implemented as appropriate.
・ Check-in support in guest rooms (Hoshinoya Kai)

>[Hoshino Resort] Corona measures summary

Hoshinoya Karuizawa
Stay in a valley village on a day off. The remote rooms surround the water, and the terrace of the room gives you a sense of the changing seasons. It is a stay-type resort where you can fully enjoy your rest time in the rich natural environment facing “Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary”.
Hoshino, Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture / 77 guest rooms
>Hoshinoya Karui沢

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