GROUP PROGRAM

Learning about innovative approaches in managing human-wildlife conflict from one of only three worldwide programs managing and conserving bear populations. The organisation funds itself from providing innovative outdoor tours and ecotourism tours.

You can add one or more days in Tokyo and add, for instance, activities related to biology and ecology.

Biology, Wildlife Conservation, Veterinary Medicine, Geography, Tourism

Location:

Karuizawa, Japan

Duration (in days):

1-5

• Guided tour by a conservation biologist, explaining how for the Conservation Program Asian Black Bears are captured, equipped with radio sensors and treated by veterinarians

• Visiting the breeding and training area of Karelian Bear Dogs that are used to track bears

• Bear tracking hike and winter den search, sensor camera census

• Trying out and learning about techniques used such as telemetry, GPS tracking and laboratory scat analysis

• At sunset, observing and learning about the Japanese giant flying squirrel, an endemic species of Japan and one of the largest flying squirrel species in the world

• Removing invasive plant species; doing other forestry work supporting the bear population management program

• Guided tour through the bird sanctuary forest

• A workshop session for students to think about how to coexist with wildlife

• Cycling, hiking (to Shiraito waterfall), visiting a hot onsen

• Japan’s largest outlet shopping town is located in Karuizawa

• In Tokyo: National Museum of Nature and Science

• Outside of Tokyo: Visit to a community group doing preservation of the Satoyama ecosystem

• Outside of Tokyo: Visit to a permaculture farm

• In Tokyo: Add any other Tokyo activity you can find as part of our other group programs in Tokyo.

Conservation Biologist

High School Students, College Students, University Students, Professionals

10-40 PAX

April to October

Budget ryokan (=traditional Japanese hotel) in Karuizawa Town, 4-share rooms

Breakfasts and dinners at the ryokan, lunch is catered during the field activities

By walk

Karuizawa Train Station

We can also provide assistance (airport pickup, accommodation, activities) in Tokyo and Kyoto (at extra cost).

This program can be combined with our other programs in Japan for a custom travel itinerary.

3 nights/4 days program (based on 30-40 students): 56,000 JPY + 10% VAT per person

Included: all program activities; Japanese-English interpretation; accommodation as described; meals as described; planting of 10 indigenous trees per program participant at Kilimanjaro for the CO2 compensation of long-haul flights

Not included: travel costs to Karuizawa and back, insurance, personal expenses

International flight to Tokyo (Narita or Haneda), then shinkansen bullet train to Karuizawa Station

Total domestic travel costs (Tokyo airport to Karuizawa and back) approx. 12,000 JPY per person. Travel time (one way) around 2.5-3 hours.

A comprehensive risk assessment and emergency management plan is available

That sounds great, but what about my carbon footprint?

Your long-haul flight in economy class emits CO2 into the atmosphere, roughly in the following quantities (according to myclimate.org):