The Japanese crane is designated as a special natural monument of Japan.
Tsurui Village, known as the "village where cranes live," is located in the northern part of the Kushiro Marsh and is one of Japan's leading habitats and breeding grounds for Japanese cranes.

This time, we'd like to shine a spotlight on the Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary!

Table of Contents:
1. What is the "Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary"?
2. The most elegant bird in Japan: the Red-crowned Crane
3. Let's go to the feeding area.
4. Try using the nature center.
5. Activities to protect the Japanese crane
6. Access to Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary
Final thoughts

The Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary is a facility operated by the Wild Bird Society of Japan.
It was established in 1987 to protect the Japanese crane and its habitat.

Most of the land was provided by Mr. Yoshitaka Ito, and it has been named the Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary.

Mr. Ito has served as a feeder and monitor for red-crowned cranes for many years and is the founder of the sanctuary that has supported the conservation of these cranes.

The number of red-crowned cranes had once dwindled to just over a dozen. It was the efforts of local people that saved them from extinction.

It is said that during the harsh winter, when cranes came in search of food, they began feeding them with corn that they had saved for themselves. Mr. Ito, who was feeding the cranes in this area, was one of those who did so.

This is the first sanctuary in Japan dedicated to protecting a specific species, the Japanese crane.

During the winter months, feeding takes place, and at the nature center within the sanctuary, rangers provide explanations about the cranes' calls and ecology.

Did you know that the red-crowned crane is the largest bird in Japan?

Image provided by: Wild Bird Society of Japan

From the tip of its beak to the tip of its tail, it measures 1.4 meters, and when it spreads its wings, it measures 2.4 meters! Its weight ranges from 6 to 11 kg.

The name is written as "丹頂" in kanji, with "丹" meaning "red" and "頂" meaning "top." It is said that the name was given because the top of its head is red, and in the Ainu language, it is called Sarurun Kamuy (God of the Wetlands).

This species is a resident bird in eastern Hokkaido, and its nesting grounds are in the wetlands of eastern Hokkaido, centered around the Kushiro Marsh.

Every year, many people from both within Japan and overseas gather at the Tsurui-Ito Crane Sanctuary to see the beautiful red-crowned cranes gracefully soaring through the air.

At the feeding grounds, dent corn (feed corn) is scattered from November to March, when food for the red-crowned cranes becomes scarce. Starting with one pair in 1966, the Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary's feeding grounds now attract up to 300 or more cranes at its peak.

Feeding time is once a day at 9:00 a.m. There were about 180 birds when we visited on the morning of December 24th.

This is dent corn. One red-crowned crane eats about 300g of it per day.
For groups of 300 or more birds, we sow about 100 kg of dent corn.

Now, let's take a look at the red-crowned crane, which shows various appearances depending on the season.
Image provided by: Wild Bird Society of Japan

October-November "Calling Out": In November, the number of cranes migrating to the feeding grounds begins to increase. The early morning, when the breath of the red-crowned cranes singing out against the backdrop of the rising sun turns red, is particularly beautiful and highly recommended.

December-January "Gathering": This is the time of year when the largest number of cranes gather, from late December to early January. You can see over 300 red-crowned cranes at a time. On cold mornings, they arrive at the feeding grounds later. The sight of them taking flight in flocks towards their roosts in the evening is breathtaking!

Image provided by: Wild Bird Society of Japan

February "Crane Dance": Around 100 red-crowned cranes gather here each day. From mid-February onwards, you can frequently see the beautiful, synchronized courtship dances that deepen the bond between mates.

March "Farewell & Flight": In addition to courtship dances, you can observe "farewell" where parents chase away their offspring. They soar high into the sky, circling as they migrate to their breeding grounds.

On this day too, many photography enthusiasts visited to capture the beautiful sight of the red-crowned cranes with their cameras.
You can see what's happening at the feeding area via live camera!

http://park15.wakwak.com/~tancho/sizensaisyokuti.html

The Nature Center is open from October to March. Admission is free for everyone.
The nature center has specialist staff called rangers who are always on hand to provide various information about the ecology of the red-crowned crane and the status of environmental conservation.

The rangers also record the number of red-crowned cranes that arrive each day on a whiteboard.
They will also explain the seasonal highlights of the Japanese cranes and the meaning of their calls.

The behavior of individual red-crowned cranes varies greatly. Some cranes that are used to humans always stay near the fence, while others have hoarse calls. Some cranes are regulars that appear at the feeding grounds every day, while others only show up once.

The red-crowned cranes that migrate to the sanctuary often come from Nemuro and the Notsuke Peninsula.

There are several telescopes set up where you can observe the red-crowned cranes. Inside the nature center, you can enjoy warm drinks (self-service, 100 yen) and there is a fireplace, so it's a great place to warm up and observe at your leisure.

You might discover an unexpected side of the elegant and beautiful red-crowned crane that you wouldn't see just by looking at it from the outside.

On the second floor, you'll find an exhibition area featuring life-sized cranes and other exhibits, as well as a slide show corner. If you'd like to see the slide show, please feel free to ask a ranger.

The Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary was built with donations from people all over Japan. The conservation efforts for the red-crowned cranes and the operation of the sanctuary are supported by these donations.

Activities include feeding by rangers, protection of breeding and wintering grounds, creation of foraging areas so that red-crowned cranes can forage in nature during the winter instead of relying solely on feeding, and public education activities.

Access
bus)
From JR Kushiro Station, take the Akan Bus bound for "Tsurui Health Resort Center" for approximately 60 minutes.
Get off at "Tsurui Village Office" bus stop and walk for about 10 minutes.
(Please tell them your destination is "Tsurui Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary.")
From Kushiro Airport, it's about a 45-minute ride on the Akan Bus or Kushiro Airport Shuttle Bus.
After getting off at "Kushiro Station," transfer to the bus mentioned above.
car)
Approximately 40 minutes from Kushiro Airport, approximately 50 minutes from JR Kushiro Station, parking available (free).

<"Tsurui-Ito Red-crowned Crane Sanctuary">
HP)http://park15.wakwak.com/~tancho/
Address: Nakasetsuriminami, Tsurui Village, Akan District, Hokkaido
Opening period: October 1st to March 31st
Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 16:30 PM
Closed days: Every Tuesday and Wednesday (open if it falls on a public holiday)
June 12th-July 26th, August 12th-September 30rd
*Even on days when the facility is closed, you can still observe and photograph the cranes at the feeding area.
Admission fee: Free
Phone) 0154-64-2620

Final thoughts

The Tsurui-Ito Crane Sanctuary supports the beautiful red-crowned cranes so that they can live in peace.

The more you see them and the more you learn about them, the more affection and interest you'll feel for the red-crowned cranes.
Why not take a trip to a sanctuary that serves as a bridge connecting people and nature?

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