ECOTOURS - HOSHINOYA Karuizawa

Ecotours offer HOSHINOYA guests rare opportunities to enjoy and appreciate rich surrounding environment of idyllic Japan. "Picchio" Wildlife Reserch Center's guided ecotours has been recognized as a fronteir of its kind in Japan, and has won the grand prize at the 1st Japan Ecotourism Awards hosted by the Ministry for the Environment. Experienced Ecotour guides will lead you through the near-by forest for a truly unique experience.


Spring	Summer	Autumn	Winter
Spring is just around the corner in Karuizawa. Just as the fresh green buds start to sprout in May, the blue-and-white flycatcher, a bird said to deliver happiness, can be spotted. As the days get warmer, be entertained by the flight of the giant flying squirrel in the evenings.	When Karuizawa is full of lush greenery in the summer months, the cool breeze of the highlands bring comfort to those who come here. This is the best time to actively take part in the Eco Tours of your choice. Go on the child-friendly 'Tree Climbing Tour' or venture a bit further - discover the beauty of the wild plants of the flat marshlands for the perfect summer vacation experience.	The forests of Karuizawa become soaked with colors of fall from the wild plants and flowers such as wild chrysanthemum. Chestnuts and acorns also cover the grounds during this time. The red color of the Japanese maples reach its peak in the end of October, the golden color of Japanese Larch, in the beginning of November. Enjoy the beauty of nature to its fullest under the refreshing autumn skies.	The fallen leaves make the cold months of winter the perfect season for bird watching. The tracks of rabbits, foxes, and other animals in the new-fallen snow also turn winter into a fascinating time to be in the woods.