Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary

Witness the breathtaking winter dance of the Red-crowned Crane

Set against a pristine white landscape, as many as 300 of these majestic birds gather here, creating one of Hokkaido’s most iconic and rare winter spectacles.


From November to March, this 10-hectare grassland in Tsurui Village transforms into a shimmering world of snow. Originally established by the late Yoshitaka Ito, a local dairy farmer who dedicated his life to protecting the cranes, the sanctuary is now managed by the Wild Bird Society of Japan. Watching these elegant birds, with wingspans exceeding 2 meters, push off from the fresh snow and glide through the crisp winter air is an unforgettable experience.


Inside the comfortable Nature Center, large viewing windows allow you to listen as their resonant, high-pitched calls echo across the still landscape. By mid-February, the highlight of the season begins: the elegant courtship dance. Pairs leap and bow in perfect rhythm, their delicate feathers unfurling against the white fields in a scene of natural artistry. Through binoculars, every vivid detail—from the striking red crowns to the powerful movements of these rare birds—comes into focus, offering a moment of quiet wonder found only in a Hokkaido winter.

  • * Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Nearest airports
New Chitose Airport Sapporo Okadama Airport Hakodate Airport Okushiri Airport Asahikawa Airport Wakkanai Airport Rishiri Airport Okhotsk Monbetsu Airport Memanbetsu Airport Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport Tancho Kushiro Airport Tokachi Obihiro Airport

General Information

Postal code
〒085-1205　
Address
北海道阿寒郡鶴居村字中雪裡南
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
Car Park
41 spaces, Free
Directions
●By car: About 40 minutes from Tancho Kushiro Airport
●By car: About 50 minutes from JR Kushiro Station
Website

Official site (Japanese)

Wild Bird Society of Japan

Remarks
During the Nature Center’s open season from October to March, visitors can observe red-crowned cranes at the feeding area from the comfort of a warm indoor space. Ranger-led interpretive talks are also provided. Inside the center, original merchandise from the Wild Bird Society of Japan and red-crowned crane postcards photographed by local photographers are available for purchase.

* Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.

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