Red-crowned Crane and Wildlife Watching Guided Tour
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Price
¥6,000~
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Duration
Half-day
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Hosted in
English/Japanese
Summary
Tsurui Village, located in Eastern Hokkaido, is one of the best places to observe the majestic red-crowned cranes, designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. Join our experienced guides from Picchio Shiretoko to witness the breathtaking sight of these cranes in their natural habitat. Afterward, enjoy a scenic drive through the Kushiro Marsh, where you may also encounter deer, eagles, and other wildlife.
*NOTE* This tour departs from the town of Kushiro, located approximately 150 km south of Shiretoko Peninsula.
If you are participating with children or would prefer a private group tour, please reserve by selecting "Book Tour as Private".
Highlights
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Encounter the red crowned crane
The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is a majestic and graceful bird native to Hokkaido, Japan, and parts of East Asia. Revered as one of Japan's sacred birds, its striking beauty has captured hearts for generations. Once on the brink of extinction with only a dozen individuals remaining, conservation efforts have successfully revived their population to around 2,000 today. During this tour, you’ll visit special sites where cranes are fed to support their population growth. In winter, particularly from January to March—their mating season—these magnificent birds gather at feeding grounds where we are granted a rare opportunity to witness their enchanting courtship rituals, including elegant dances and calls between males and females.
Details
- Period
- From Jan 10th to Mar 20th, 2025
- Time
- 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
1:30 pm - 5:30 pm - Price
- 6,000 JPY ~/ person as a group tour
45,000 JPY~/ group(1-8 people) as a private tour
*Prices change depending on the date. For details, please refer to the reservation calendar. - Requirement
- 6 years or older.
*If you are accompanied by small children under 6 years old, please book this tour as a private tour. - Language
- English
- Meeting place
- Select a requested meeting place from below when making a reservation.
-Group tour-
・Hotels in Kushiro Area (Lobby of your accommodation.)
・JR Kushiro station
-Private tour-
・Hotels in Kushiro Area (Lobby of your accommodation.)
・JR Kushiro station
・Kushiro Airport - Pick up time
- The meeting time differs depending on your requested meeting place. We will inform you of the pick-up time based on your location and request.
- Head
- Woolen hat, neck-warmer
- Tops
- Waterproof jacket (or ski jacket), fleece jacket, sweater and long sleeve shirts.
- Bottoms
- Waterproof overtrousers (or ski trousers). It is strongly recommended to wear thick fabric trousers or tights underneath.
- Shoes
- Warm winter boots
- Others
- Gloves
Sunglasses or goggles are useful.
Bottle of water
- Notice
- Please note that encounters with wildlife are not 100% guaranteed.
- Depending on natural conditions, the end time may vary slightly. Please join our tours with time to spare.
- Please come to the agreed place on time. If you are late on the day, we will consider you a no show and might give your spot to someone else. Please contact us if you think you might be delayed.
- Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation is free up to 2 days before the tour. If you cancel 2 days before the start of the tour, you will be charged a cancellation fee of 20%, if you cancel the day before the tour then a 50% cancellation fee will apply, and if you cancel on the day of the tour, then a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
- Access
Kushiro city
Kushiro City is a charming port town blessed with stunning natural beauty and home to two iconic national parks: Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and Akan-Mashu National Park. Nestled along the Pacific Ocean, the city boasts cool, refreshing summers and mild winters, making it a comfortable destination year-round. Unlike many other areas in Hokkaido, Kushiro experiences minimal snowfall, offering a pleasantly accessible climate. The surrounding landscapes are truly captivating. Japan’s largest wetland, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, and the breathtaking Akan-Mashu National Park, home to the serene Lake Akan, are havens for rare wildlife. Visitors can marvel at graceful red-crowned cranes, majestic Steller’s sea eagles, and Ezo deer roaming freely in their natural habitats. Kushiro is also celebrated for its incredible seafood, freshly landed at Kushiro Port. Food lovers will be delighted by the city’s unique culinary offerings.
From Sapporo
1. By Train: JR Limited Express
Service: JR Limited Express "Ozora"
Travel Time: Approximately 4 hours
Frequency: 6-7 trains per day (as of 2023)
Cost: Around 9,500–10,000 JPY (one way, unreserved seat);
discounts may apply for rail pass holders like the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass or Japan Rail Pass.
2. By Plane
Departure Airport: New Chitose Airport (Sapporo)
Arrival Airport: Kushiro Airport
Flight Time: About 45 minutes
Airlines: JAL (Japan Airlines) and ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Cost: 10,000–15,000 JPY (one way), depending on the time of booking and promotional fares.
3. By Highway Bus
Service: Hokkaido Chuo bus
Travel Time: Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes
Note Need to make a reservation in advance
Cost: Around 6,000 JPY (one way),depending on the time of booking and promotional fares.
4. By Car (Self-Drive)
Route: Via the Doto Expressway and National Route 38.
Travel Time: Around 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 300 km
Cost: Highway tolls: About 6,000 JPY one way.
Fuel costs: Variable depending on the vehicle.
From Tokyo
By Plane
The fastest and most convenient option.
Departure Airports: Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT)
Arrival Airport: Kushiro Airport (KUH)
Flight Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Airlines: JAL (Japan Airlines) and ANA (All Nippon Airways) operate from Haneda.
Some low-cost carriers (seasonal) may operate from Narita.
Cost: Regular fares: 15,000–30,000 JPY (one way)
- 1
- Pickup from requested place in Kushiro (~8:30AM/ ~1:30PM)
- 2
- Red-crowned Crane observation in Tsurui Village
- 3
- Tsurumi dai observation spot (about 10 min. drive); observe cranes for about 30 min.
- 4
- Wildlife watching drive through Kushiro Marsh Road (deer, eagles, etc.) (about 50 min.)
- 5
- Stop by Hosooka Observatory for a panoramic view of Kushiro Marsh
- 6
- Drop-off at hotel in Kushiro (about 30 min.)
