Wander Bar-ひがし北海道観光情報メディアー
Wander Bar-ひがし北海道観光情報メディアー
There are several places in eastern Hokkaido where the red-crowned crane, a special natural treasure, can be seen.
Tsurui Village, where you can see red-crowned cranes, is located in Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, the largest marshland in Japan.
Since Hokkaido is the only place in Japan where red-crowned cranes can be seen, the village attracts many tourists from all over Japan and even from overseas.
This article introduces spots in Tsurui Village where you can be sure to see red-crowned cranes.
Japanese cranes live in Kushiro Marsh from spring to autumn, nesting and raising their young.
It is difficult to find red-crowned cranes that are raising their young because they are nervous and are often found among the tall plants called “reeds (Yoshi)” in Kushiro Marsh.
You may occasionally see red-crowned cranes in the rice paddies or crossing the road when you drive, but you cannot be sure that you will see them.
So, if you definitely want to see red-crowned cranes, it is better to come to see them coming to the Tsurui feeding grounds during the fall and winter.
There are several places where the red-crowned cranes are fed during this time of the year when there is snow on the ground and not enough food is available.
Here are some places where you can see red-crowned cranes during this season.
The Tsurui Ito Crane Sanctuary is one of the best places to stop by as you see the cranes in winter.
The cranes gather outdoors and can be seen freely on the grounds for free.
This is a facility where the Wild Bird Society of Japan conducts crane conservation activities, and it is named Ito Crane Sanctuary because the late Yoshitaka Ito, a man who devoted many years to crane conservation activities, donated the land for this purpose.
From November to March, when food for the red-crowned cranes is scarce, the feeding ground is sprinkled with dent corn (corn for fodder), and at times of high numbers, more than 300 red-crowned cranes fly to the sanctuary in search of food.
The most common season for red-crowned cranes is from December to January, and from mid-February, the courtship dance between males and females can be seen, and many photographers try to capture it.
The Tsurui Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary has a feeding station and a nature center.
The Nature Center is a facility for the protection of red-crowned cranes and the preservation of their habitat.
During the open period from October to March, professional rangers are stationed here to provide free explanations and information about red-crowned cranes.
Not only can visitors obtain information on red-crowned cranes, but also bird-related accessories are available for purchase.
While you are watching red-crowned cranes, stop by the nearby Tsurubou no Ie (つるぼーの家：Tsurubou’s House) and the Tsurui Village Hometown Information Center Minakuru.
Tsurubo-no-ie is a good place to buy souvenirs as it sells local products such as local meat, Tsurui cheese, sweets, and other local specialties.
It is also a good place to take a break as you can buy soft ice cream and coffee.
The Hometown Information Center Minakuru（みなくる） is also located nearby, where you can learn about the history of Tsurui Village, dairy farming, Kushiro Marsh, and red-crowned cranes, which are the village’s main industries.
Tsurumidai, like Ito Crane Sanctuary, is also a famous spot where red-crowned cranes gather in winter.
Feeding takes place twice a day between November and March, in the morning and around 2:30 p.m. At the most, more than 200 red-crowned cranes can be seen.
Like the Ito Crane Sanctuary introduced above, it is free to visit, so you can choose whichever is easier to get to, depending on the time available.
Otowa Bridge is a well-known spot for photographing red-crowned cranes.
In winter, cranes sleep in the river because it is extremely cold in Tsurui.
Many photographers gather at Otowa Bridge to photograph the red-crowned cranes sleeping there.
The red-crowned cranes sleep standing in the river to avoid being attacked by enemies.
The ” Setsuri River,” which flows through Tsurui Village, is a valuable roost for red-crowned cranes because it does not freeze even in winter.
The Otowa Bridge over the Setsuri River is the only spot where the red-crowned cranes can be observed roosting without threatening them.
However, the best time to view the red-crowned cranes from this spot is at sunrise during the coldest season of the year, so you must be prepared for considerable cold.
Also, the manner of photographers has become an issue, so please be sure to go in a moderate manner.