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Kushiroshitsugen National Park
by Yuki_B
20 September 2023
Kushiroshitsugen National Park, located in Hokkaido, Japan, is a designated Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and was established in 1987 to the expansive and ecologically significant wetlands of the Kushiro Plain. Covering approximately 268.6 square kilometers, the park boasts a diverse ecosystem of marshes, rivers, lakes and forests, serving as a vital habitat for numerous rare and endangered species, including the iconic Japanese Red-Crowned Crane and Blakiston’s fish owl. Visitors to this pristine wilderness can engage in activities such as bird watching, hiking and wildlife observation while exploring elevated boardwalks and observatories that provide stunning vistas of the wetlands and its unique biodiversity. The park’s mission centers on conserving this delicate natural environment and fostering a deeper understanding of its ecological importance.
Highlights of Kuroshitsugen National Park
Hosooka Observatory (細岡展望台)
The crane was spotted while travelling Kusiroshitsugen National Park.
From the Hosooka Observatory, you get a great view of Japan’s biggest wetland, Kushiro Shitsugen, which covers an impressive 29,000 hectares. This wetland is crisscrossed by the meandering Kushiro River adorned with lush reeds (Phragmites) and sedges (Carex). Notably, this natural wonder serves as the cherished habitat of the red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), a species believed to have vanished from Japan until their miraculous rediscovery here in 1924. Fortunately the observers at the observatory are able to catch glimpses of these elegant birds as they grace the wetland.
Millennia ago, this very area lay submerged beneath the sea. Approximately 4,000 years in the past, it transformed into the peaty wetland we see today. During this transformation, three lakes emerged nearby which are the Taro, Shirarutore and Takkobu lakes. The undulating terrain in the middle ground comprises Cape Miyajirge and Cape Kirakotan, which still bear the name “capes” as a testament to their maritime history. On the distant horizon, the striking Akan mountain range graces the scene, featuring the towering Mt. Meakan, meaning a “female Akan”, a vibrant and active volcano, alongside the dormant Mt. Oakan, known as the “male akan”.
Access
Hosooka Observatory is accessible from Sapporo by taking a direct JR Limited Express train which takes 4 hours from Sapporo to Kushiro Station. Alternatively, you could take the bus in Sapporo Chuo Bus Terminal to the Kushiro Ekimae and take the subway to Kushiroshitsugen station. From Kushiroshitsugen Station, you may take a 15 minutes walk to the Kushiro Marsh Hosooka Observatory. Driving rental car to Kushiro will be strongly recommended which might take around 4 to 5 hours via the Hokkaidō Ōdan Expressway 北海道横断自動車道/道東自動車道.