Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary
Standing Tall and Red: Wild, Red-Crowned Crane
Located approximately 50 minutes by car from Kushiro Tancho Airport and 1 hour by bus from Kushiro, the nearest city, the Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary is a must-visit for birdwatchers. While a number of different bird species call this area home, the most spectacular of them all is the red-crowned crane. From November to March, about 300 red-crowned cranes stop in the sanctuary for food. These majestic creatures can be seen standing tall in the distant snowy plains, seemingly chatting amongst themselves before taking flight gracefully through the skies again. In mid-February to early March, the cranes perform their mating dances. This is often considered an ideal time for birdwatchers to snap rare shots of these culturally significant birds.
- * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
- Category
- With friends
- Girls' trip
- Couple
- Travel style
- Activities & Outdoors
- Animal habitats, plant habitats
- Mountain, ridge, plateau, marshland, canyon
- Red leaves, scenic spots, observation platforms
- Natural scenery, spectacular views
- Bird watching
- Travel Inspiration
- Have fun with the kids
- Nearest airports
General Information
- Postal code
- 〒085-1205
- Address
- 北海道鶴居村字中雪裡南
- Telephone Number
- 0154-64-2620
- Open
- 9:00-16:00
- Closed
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays of the 1st, 3rd, and 5th week of each month (open if the day falls on a national holiday), Dec. 26 - Jan. 1, Mar. 31, Apr. 1 - Sep. 30
- Prices
- free
- Car Park
- free
- Directions
- ●By car: About 40 minutes from Kushiro Airport
●By car: About 50 minutes from JR Kushiro Station - Website
- Remarks
- During the Nature Center's open period from Oct. to Mar., visitors can observe red-crowned cranes at the feeding site from the warmth of the museum. Rangers also provide commentary. Original goods from the Wild Bird Society of Japan and red-crowned crane postcards taken by local photographers are available at the museum.
* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.
![Akan International Crane Center [GRUS]](/lsc/upfile/spot/0001/0245/10245_1_m.jpg)
