Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

The red-crowned crane, designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan, is not only admired for its beautiful appearance but also revered as a symbol of lifelong marital harmony.

The Kushiro City Tancho Crane Nature Park, commonly known as "Crane Park," is located about a 10-minute drive from Tancho Kushiro Airport. The park was established in 1958 with the aim of protecting and increasing the population of the endangered red-crowned crane. In 1970, it became the first place in the world to successfully hatch a red-crowned crane through artificial incubation. The park is also known for its excellent techniques in artificial incubation and breeding. The first director, Ryoji Takahashi, is famous as "the man who became a crane" for teaching young cranes how to fly in place of their parents.

Here, the cranes are raised in an environment close to their natural habitat, and you can see a dozen or so cranes up close throughout the year. From May to June, you might even see chicks covered in brown down. If you're lucky, you might witness the heartwarming sight of cranes raising their young.

Inside the management building, there is an exhibition room that introduces the history of the park and the process of artificial incubation through panels and photographs. There is also a lecture room where you can freely relax while watching the cranes through the windows. Additionally, be sure to visit the gift shop, which offers souvenirs featuring crane motifs.