Held annually around Lake Teganuma in Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture, the Japan Bird Festival 2024 brings together a diverse range of participants, including government bodies, non-profit organisations (NPOs), students, citizen groups, and enthusiasts of all ages who share a love for birds and nature.
The Japan Bird Festival (日本バードフェスティバル2024) is the only largest festival to take place every November in Japan and attracts hundreds to thousands of birders and nature lovers to this event in Abiko.
Japan Bird Festival 2024
The festival’s theme, “Aiming for the Coexistence of People and Birds,” highlights a harmonious relationship between humans and the avian species that inhabit the area. Activities at the festival seem to cater to a broad audience, from educational presentations and research activities to creative pursuits like bird sculpture, painting, and photo exhibitions.
Additionally, interactive activities such as children’s craft classes, onboard bird watching, and stamp rallies make the event engaging and accessible for families and individuals. Seeing such a comprehensive approach to bird conservation and environmental education at such a large-scale event.
Events like the Japan Bird Festival foster community engagement, raise awareness about conservation issues, and promote appreciation for the natural world.
Activities at the Japan Bird Festival
Join us for a two-day celebration of birds and nature with various engaging activities suitable for everyone, from beginners to seasoned birdwatchers!
Highlights Include:
- Bird Drawing & Crafts: Get creative with bird-themed art and mini-crafts.
- Binoculars & Scopes: Hands-on experiences with birdwatching tools.
- Mini Live Shows & Talk Shows: Enjoy entertaining and informative bird-related presentations.
- Environmental Conference: Elementary to high school students showcase their nature observation results.
- Ornithology Lectures: Learn from experts about bird science and conservation.
- Birdwatching Tour: Explore Lake Teganuma with guided birdwatching.
- Wild Bird Photography Experience: Capture stunning images of wild birds.
- Stamp Rally: Participate in a fun stamp rally with lottery-based prizes.
- Photo & Carving Exhibitions: Admire bird photography and bird carving art.
- Wild Bird Goods Sales: Browse and purchase bird-related merchandise.
- Nature & Bird Protection Displays: Learn about conservation efforts from various groups.
- Snack Corner: Enjoy a selection of tasty treats.
Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or new to the world of birds, there’s something for everyone at this event!
Overall, the Japan Bird Festival at Teganuma Water Plaza offers a rich blend of educational opportunities, cultural experiences, and recreational activities centred around birds and their habitats. It’s an amazing platform for promoting environmental awareness and advocating for the coexistence of people and birds, aligning perfectly with its theme.
Camera and Optic Brands Participating at Japan Bird Festival
- OM Digital Solutions Co., Ltd.
- Canon Marketing Japan Inc.
- Kenko Tokina Co., Ltd.
- Sony Marketing Inc.
- Tamron Co., Ltd.
- Nikon Imaging Japan Co., Ltd.
- Hakuba Photo Industry Co., Ltd. (Swarovski Optic)
- Vixen Co., Ltd.
- FUJIFILM Imaging Systems Co., Ltd.
- TEAC Corporation
- Kowa Optronics Co., Ltd.
- Japan Telescope Industry Association
This year, the Japan Bird Festival 2024 will be held on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd. It is scheduled to be held at six venues:
1. Teganuma Waterfront Square
- Bird Research Exhibition: Explore various research studies on birds.
- Foreign Booths: Learn about nature and wild birds in different countries.
- Stage Events: Enjoy live performances and talks.
- Sales: Browse bird-themed goods, books, and food and drink.
- Optical Equipment: Experience and purchase binoculars and telescopes.
- Lakeside Bird Watching: Enjoy birdwatching by the lake.
2. Water House
- Binoculars & Telescopes Class: Learn how to use these tools for birdwatching.
- Bird Origami Play: Engage in bird-themed origami activities.
- Special Events:
- November 4th: Camera seminar and Ecosystem Trust Association lecture.
- November 5th: Outdoor class using the eBird birdwatching database.
- For details on times, capacity, and application, please visit the JBF website.
3. Bird Museum
- Special Exhibition: “Birds of Prey – Hawks, Owls, Falcons.”
- Bird Crafts: Participate in craft activities related to birds.
- Bird Museum Quiz: Test your knowledge about birds.
- Techatan: Special tech-related bird exhibits.
- Please visit the Bird Museum website for details on times, capacity, and application.
4. Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
- Lectures: Attend expert talks on ornithology and bird studies.
5. Teganuma Park
- Kite Flying: Enjoy kite flying activities.
- Bird Watching on Board: Boat-based birdwatching experience (1,000 yen; 500 yen for elementary school students and younger).
- For details on times and capacity (first come, first served), please visit the JBF website.
6. Avista
- Bird Painting: View and create bird-themed artwork.
- Balloon Play: Enjoy balloon art and activities.
- Bird Carving & Touch Carving Exhibition: See and interact with bird carvings.
- Photo Contests & Competitions:
- All Japan Bird Photo Contest exhibition.
- Chiba Prefecture Bird-loving Week Poster Competition winning works.
- Special Events:
- November 4th: All Japan Bird Photo Contest lecture and ornithology lecture.
- November 5th: Environmental Studies Society and Art umbrella.
Stamp Rally
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- Collect nine stamps from the venue to enter a raffle for Christmas gifts like binoculars!
Japan Bird Festival 2024
- Date: 2-3 November
- Venue: Teganuma Waterfront Square, Coot Square (Bird Museum Parking Lot), AvistaLake at Teganuma in Abiko City
- Time: –
- Contact: Japan Bird Festival (JBF) Executive Committee Secretariat
(Teganuma Section, Environment and Economics Department, Abiko City Hall) - Phone: 04-7185-1484 Fax: 04-7185-5869
- Email: jbf@city.abiko.chiba.jp
How to go to Abiko City from Tokyo?
To reach Abiko Station from various locations, here are the directions:
From Tokyo Station:
Option 1:
- Take the JR Yamanote Line from Tokyo Station (Platform No. 4), heading towards Ueno & Ikebukuro.
- Transfer at Ueno Station to the JR Joban Line (Rapid) (Platform No. 10, 11, or 12), heading towards Toride, Katsuta, Tsuchiura, or Mito.
- Ride the JR Joban Line (Rapid) to Abiko Station. The journey from Ueno to Abiko takes about 35 minutes.
Option 2:
- Take the Keihin-Tohoku Line from Tokyo Station (Platform No. 3), heading towards Ueno & Omiya.
- Transfer at Ueno Station to the JR Joban Line (Rapid) (Platform No. 10, 11, or 12), heading towards Toride, Katsuta, Tsuchiura, or Mito.
- Ride the JR Joban Line (Rapid) to Abiko Station. This route also takes about 35 minutes from Ueno to Abiko.
From Narita Airport (Terminal 1):
- Take any JR Narita Line train from Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station.
- After approximately 10 minutes, disembark at Narita Station.
- Transfer to the JR Narita Line (Platform No. 6) heading towards Abiko, Ueno, or Shinagawa.
- Ride the JR Narita Line to Abiko Station. The journey from Narita to Abiko takes about 40 minutes.
- Note: Ensure to change trains at Narita Station because the JR Narita Line from the airport does not go directly to Abiko.
Additional Information:
If using the Tokyo Metro, take the Chiyoda Line (Line C) towards Abiko. Ensure to board trains heading towards Abiko, not Ayase, especially if transferring at Ayase station. These routes provide convenient access to Abiko Station from Tokyo and Narita Airport, allowing visitors to easily reach the Japan Bird Festival held around Lake Teganuma in Abiko City, Chiba Prefecture.
Conclusion
You can find more international bird fairs and festivals from us. I have missed attending this event for many years, and I hope to attend the Japan Bird Festival 2024 if there is an opportunity. Writing this for a few years now, it has been difficult to communicate with the organisers as they have not responded yet.
If you are visiting Japan this time of the year in early November, you could take a few days and see this birding event, known to be Japan’s largest birding event. You can also read my previous article on the last Japan Bird Festival.
