Kushiro City Red-crowned Crane Natural Park — Attraction in Kushiro

A must see if you have even a moderate interest in birds. And here you have an opportunity to admire these iconic, elegant big cranes from a very short distance, without the need for binoculars. We were also lucky to see the interactions with two juveniles, born this year. The occasional row with intruding ravens was quite amusing. The little museum also deserves a visit, simply laid out with clear displays and interesting information. The center is very much children-oriented, all explanations in simple sentences. So close to the Kushiro airport that we could here the cranes screaming from the plane we then boarded on our way...

The entry fee was ¥480 pp. There is an exhibition room for the story of the crane. Thereafter, one gets to see a fence up enclosures of the various cranes. There is no shelter from the weather along the path where the fenced enclosures are on the left of it. Hence, bring a brolly along. It’s mere 100 to 120 m walk along the path with one or two cranes with their back facing you and away from fence. Thereafter, you turn back towards the exit on the same path. End of the visit. We came and perhaps give towards consoled ourselves that our ticket prices goes towards the crane...

The Japanese Crane is a symbol of good luck and longevity in Japan and are sacred. This reserve is home to a number of Red Crowned Cranes or Japanese Cranes. Their numbers were declining, but due to protection and places like this, they are now increasing. Look through the peep holes for pictures without the wire fence. A lot of the info about the Cranes is in Japanese so it is good to have some kind of translation device (eg Google Translate). Cute souvenirs...