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Home  /  Japan  /  Rausu
Drift ice & sea eagles · Hokkaido, Japan

Rausu

A wild fishing port on the Shiretoko coast — where winter drift ice brings hundreds of Steller's sea eagles, and summer brings orcas and whales.
Getting there
On the eastern Shiretoko coast, reached by road from Shiretoko or Kushiro
Best for
Steller's sea eagles, white-tailed eagles, drift ice, orcas, whales, sea-eagle boat cruises
The land
A rugged fishing port beneath the Shiretoko mountains on the Nemuro Strait
Good to know
Winter drift ice off Rausu draws the world's largest gathering of Steller's sea eagles
What it is
Rausu is a wild fishing port on the Shiretoko coast — where winter drift ice brings hundreds of Steller's sea eagles, and summer brings orcas and whales.
On the rugged eastern Shiretoko coast, the fishing port of Rausu offers two great seasons. In winter, drift ice drifts down the Nemuro Strait, and dawn boat cruises bring you among hundreds of Steller's and white-tailed sea eagles on the ice. In summer, the same waters teem with orcas, sperm and humpback whales.
PhotoRausu — drift ice & sea eagles.
The reason to come

Eagles on the ice

Rausu is the place for sea eagles on the winter drift ice — and summer whales.

Sea-eagle cruises

Dawn boats among Steller's and white-tailed eagles on the drift ice.

Drift ice

The winter pack ice of the Nemuro Strait.

Orcas & whales

Summer cruises for orcas, sperm and humpback whales.

Worth knowing

Eagles on the drift ice

Off Rausu, hundreds of Steller's sea eagles gather on the winter drift ice — one of the planet's great raptor spectacles.
PhotoA Steller's sea eagle on the drift ice off Rausu.
When to come — honestly

Two great wildlife seasons.

January – February
Best
Peak drift ice and the great sea-eagle gathering.
May – July
Best
Orca season on the Nemuro Strait.
June – September
Good
Sperm and humpback whales offshore.
Drift ice arrival varies year to year, and winter cruises sail only when ice and weather allow.
Context

The Shiretoko coast

Rausu is the base for sea eagles on the drift ice and summer whales.

It pairs with the Shiretoko peninsula and Kushiro.

We base Rausu for the drift-ice eagle cruises in winter and the orca and whale cruises in summer.

Beyond the obvious

More to Rausu.

PhotoSea-eagle cruise

Sea-eagle cruise

Eagles on the drift ice.

PhotoDrift ice

Drift ice

Winter pack ice.

PhotoOrcas & whales

Orcas & whales

Summer cruises.

Why Wild Voyager

We time Japan's winter wildlife to the day.

Japan's winter wildlife — dancing cranes, sea eagles on the drift ice, fish owls, snow monkeys — peaks in narrow windows. We plan the route and timing and work with the best local photo specialists and lodges to put you in the right place at the right moment.

Handpicked stays

We choose the lodge and guides that fit your goals, not whatever is left.

We time it right

We build your visit around the season and the wildlife that delivers.

Journeys

Trips through Rausu

8 Days · 7 Nights

Japan Winter Wildlife
9 Days · 8 Nights

Wild Hokkaido Photography
8 Days · 7 Nights

Winter Bird Photography
10 Days · 9 Nights

Hokkaido Birds & Bears
10 Days · 9 Nights

Summer Wild Hokkaido
14 Days · 13 Nights

Japan Wildlife Complete
Where to stay

Where you’ll stay in Rausu

Luxury Collection
PhotoShiretoko Daiichi Hotel
Luxury

Shiretoko Daiichi Hotel

A comfortable hot-spring hotel well placed for the Rausu sea-eagle cruises.
Classic Collection
PhotoRausu Daiichi Hotel
Classic

Rausu Daiichi Hotel

A simple, welcoming hotel in the Rausu fishing port.
Wildlife you may see
Birds Marine Mammals

Plan your Rausu trip.

Cruise for sea eagles on the drift ice. Tell us your dates and we will build the route around it.

Plan a trip

Field notes, now and then.

Where to go · When to go · Wildlife in season

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