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Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in Hokkaido was established in 1987 and is Japan's most recently designated National Park. It was created in order to preserve the country's largest wetland and marsh habitat which supports the only known population of endangered Japanese Cranes in Japan. The park is located between Kushiro City and Akan National Park and is easily visited when traveling between the two. The park does not receive much snowfall, even in winter, and offers bird watching, nature viewing, and walking trails. Japanese Cranes can be viewed there year round and attract hundreds of photographers. Dancing Cranes Photographers at the Tancho Observation Center Japanese Cranes, also known as Tancho (lit. red head), were thought to be extinct in Japan due to overhunting and habitat destruction. However, in 1926 a group of about 20 birds was discovered in the marshes around Kushiro. With conservation efforts they have since made a dramatic recovery and now number more than 1000 birds. The cranes are most spectacular to watch as they dance, often in pairs, with seemingly choreographed dips and jumps. The cranes are best seen in the winter as they gather at winter feeding sites. These sites are best accessed by car, but they can also be reached by public transportation. Centers: Akan International Crane Center Hours: daily 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: Mondays (April to October) Admission: 400 yen (includes Tancho Observation Center) The Akan International Crane Center is a museum, breeding center, and sanctuary where cranes can be seen year round. It has a good exhibit about crane history and ecology with English explanations. Kushiro City Marsh Observatory Hours: 8:30 to 18:00 (9:00 to 17:00 November to April) Closed: New Years Holidays Admission: 400 yen The Marsh Observatory is connected to the Kushiro Shitsugen Viewpoint by a number of boardwalk paths that offer nice, easy walks. The Observatory houses exhibits about the surrounding marshlands. Feeding Stations: These are open from November to March to offset food shortages of the colder winter months. Visitors can watch the feedings which are once or twice a day depending on the station. Feeding times are the best times to see groups of cranes together. Tancho Observation Center Hours: 8:30 to 16:00 (8:30 to 16:00 February to March) Closed: April 1 to October 31 Admission: 400 yen (includes Akan International Crane Center) The Tancho Observation Center is a winter feeding ground adjacent to the Akan International Crane Center. The facilities include an observation room, toilets, and a small restaurant. Tsurui Ito Tancho Sanctuary The Tsurui Ito Tancho Sanctuary feeding ground is on the same grounds as the Japan Wild Bird Association Nature Center. Although there are no facilities at the feeding ground itself, the Nature Center across the street has an observation room and a research center. Tsuruimidai Tsurumidai is a feeding ground located directly beside Route 53. There are no facilities at the feeding ground except for a parking lot large enough to accommodate a few tour buses. There is also a restaurant across the street. Winter Roosting grounds: Otowa Bridge In winter the cranes come here at night to roost in the relative safety and warmth that the river provides. They are best observed in the mornings as they are usually out feeding during the day. The bridge is only accessible by car. Viewpoints: The landscape of Kushiro Shitsugen National Park can be viewed from various viewpoints around the park. Kushiro Shitsugen Viewpoint Kushiro Shitsugen Viewpoint This viewpoint can be reached in about 15 to 20 minutes by a (wheelchair accessible) boardwalk path from the Kushiro City Marsh Observatory. There are numerous paths in the area, some of which lead down to the edge of the marsh. Hokuto Viewpoint Hokuto Viewpoint This viewpoint is located right beside Route 53 and offers unobstructed views of the park. It is accessible by car or bus. Hosooka Viewpoint Hosooka Viewpoint Located on the eastern edge of the park, this viewpoint is especially beautiful at sunset. It can be accessed by car or by a diesel train from Kushiro Station.

How to get there

To Kushiro: By Air: Kushiro Airport is located outside the city and is accessible by direct flight from Tokyo's Haneda Airport, Osaka's Itami Airport, Nagoya' Central Japan Airport and Sapporo' Okadama Airport. A bus runs from the airport to the city center (50 minutes, 910 yen). By Train: Kushiro is accessible from Sapporo by direct JR Super Ozora Limited Express. The one way trip takes four hours, costs about 9000 yen and is fully covered by both the Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass. By Bus: There are multiple daytime and overnight highway buses between Sapporo to Kushiro (6.5 hours, 5610 yen). By Car: Kushiro is located on Route 38 and is approximately six hours from Sapporo. Take the expressway from Sapporo to Yubari via Chitose. From Yubari take Route 274 east for about 90 km until it connects with Route 38 at Shimizu. Kushiro is approximately 150 km along Route 38 from Shimizu via Obihiro. Getting Around the Park: A rental car is the easiest way to get around the park as public transportation is limited and infrequent. Rental outlets are available at Kushiro Airport and in the city center. It is possible to reach most of Kushiro's sites by public transportation, although a few, such as the Otowa Bridge roosting area, can only be reached by car. Public Transportation: To the Tancho Observation Center: There are 4 to 5 buses per day that run from Kushiro Station to Kushiro Airport (40 minutes, 910 yen), the Tancho Observation Center/Akan International Crane Center (65 minutes, 1410 yen) and continue on to Lake Akan (2 hours, 2650 yen). To Tsurumidai and the Tsurui Ito Tancho Sanctuary: There are 4 to 7 buses per day from Kushiro Station to the Kushiro Shitsugen Viewpoint (35 minutes, 660 yen), Tsurumidai (50 minutes, 970 yen) and Tsurui Village (1 hour, 1220 yen). The Tsurui Ito Tancho Sanctuary is located in Tsurui Village and is a 15 minute walk from the bus stop. To Hosooka Viewpoint: The JR Senmo line runs from Kushiro Station to Kushiro Shitsugen Station (20 minutes, 350 yen) and continues on to Akan National Park and Abashiri. The Hosooka Viewpoint is a five to ten minute walk from the station up the hill past the parking lot.

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English Links

Kushiro City Official English website.