Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The red-crowned crane is designated as a special natural treasure of Japan. In Tsurui Village, which is registered as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Japan,” red-crowned cranes can be seen in the rural landscape.

In the village, there are several places where you can observe red-crowned cranes from various angles: Otowabashi Bridge, Tsurui Ito Red-Crowned Crane Sanctuary, and Tsurumidai.

If you visit during the February courtship season, you may be able to see red-crowned cranes spreading their wings and leaping in a courtship dance.

Observation Period

・Tsurui Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary: Oct. - Mar.

・Tsurumidai: Nov. - Mar.

・Otowa Bridge: Dec. - Feb.

At the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, located in Yunokawa Hot Springs near Hakodate Airport, you can see Japanese monkeys soaking in hot springs from December to early May. The very humorous and cute bathing scene of these monkeys is a delightful sight to see if you have the chance.

There is a greenhouse with tropical plants and a footbath in the park, where you can take a rest, so you can visit even on cold days.

・Open: Dec. 29-Jan.1 (closed)

・Business hours: 9:30-16:30 from Nov. to Mar., 9:30-18:00 from Apr. to Oct.

Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa City has become one of Hokkaido's most popular tourist attractions. The zoo attracts many visitors with its “behavioral exhibits” that allow visitors to observe the behavior and lifestyles of the animals by creating an environment close to nature to reduce stress on the animals. The “Mogu-mogu Time” is a must-see program that allows visitors to observe animals eating food.

In addition, the penguin snow walk, a popular winter exercise program, is held daily during the snowy season. Visitors are sure to be soothed by the cute sight of penguins walking and sliding along the park's walking route! The penguin snow walk is held every year from mid-December to March, so don't miss it when you visit!

Lake Kussharo, with its beautiful snowy winter scenery, is also famous as a swan-watching spot. Many swans fly in from Siberia every year from the end of November to around April. Natural hot springs gush from the bottom of the lake, and there are several open-air hot springs in the vicinity, including Sunayu, Wakoto Onsen, Ikenoyu, and Kotan Onsen. The snowy scenery of the mountains in the distance and the lake's surface, the mist rising from the lakeside hot springs, and the swans shrouded in the mist as they soak in the hot springs are the best part of visiting Lake Kussharo in winter.

Located between Shiretoko Peninsula and Nemuro Peninsula, the 26-km long Notsuke Peninsula is the largest sand spit in Japan. It is a sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife, including foxes and Yezo sika deer. In winter, you can see red-crowned cranes spreading their wings, foxes playing in the snow, and other scenes that will make you want to press your shutter button.

Notsuke Peninsula is also designated as a Ramsar Convention wetland, and more than 250 species of wild birds visit the area every winter. Among them, the white-fronted goose, snipe, plover, white-tailed eagle and Steller's sea eagle can be seen in winter. About 40% of the wild birds found in Japan can be seen here, making it an absolute must-see for bird-watching enthusiasts.