Akan-gun

Akan is a district in Kushiro Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It includes Akan National Park, which has many dormant volcanoes. Wikipedia.

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Top attractions in Akan-gun

1. Tsurumidai (Crane Scenic Spot)

4.1

(1071)

Scenic spot

Sights & Landmarks

Popular birding spot on a sprawling plain & winter feeding ground for Japanese red-crowned cranes.

Slide 1 of 10

Amazingly surprised to view so many Tancho Cranes. Beautiful, Graceful and Elegant.

Marri — Google review

Many red head cranes Difficult to get a good photo with single or pair cranes Get good photos when the r in flight or landing Parking available next door

Ng G — Google review

Awesome. Considered the sacred crane of the orient, red-crowned cranes are a symbol of fidelity in marriage, good luck, long life and love. They are the second rarest crane in the world, behind the whooping crane. Range & Habitat: Marshes and deep wetland areas in spring and summer.

Edward T — Google review

Best place to see the Bird Tancho a very rare species of bird. Birds starts coming to this place since morning 7.30 am to 8.00am.. we can fully day stand here and take amazing photos of the bird. There js no entry fee here. We can stand outside the fencing and take photographs. We had taken our winter photography tour from India..

Kiran J — Google review

Manage to catch the morning feeding time. More than hundred wild cranes fly back from all directions to get their food. Two feeding timing 9am and 2pm.

Dhammakamo K — Google review

Red Crowned Cranes are well known birds in Japan and more than half of the crane population are in Japan. This bird is regarded as a bird of good fortune and a symbol of love between couples. Tome Watanabe has been feeding the Red Crowned Cranes since 1963. She feeds them between 10-12pm from Nov - March. Currently her son has taken on the main time to feed the birds. The birds feed on corn. Tome has been awarded the Secretary of Environmental Agency Prize as a person who has rendered distinguished services for the protection of wildlife.

Alan T — Google review

You can see cranes between daybreak and around 3. The taxi from downtown Kushiro costs around 10000 JPY, but it's definitely worth it (and it is hard to miss the bus back).

Soorim S — Google review

Beautiful place to see red crowned crane (Japanese crane). Rarest cranes in the world.

Kritika P — Google review

so calm

Selina H — Google review

Many people take pics on this bridge. As the name you can watch some beautiful cranes here.

Zaki J — Google review

2. Tsurui-Itō Tanchō crane Sanctuary

4.4

(719)

Nature preserve

Nature & Parks

Slide 1 of 10

We came here mid March. There we lots of cranes (maybe 40?) and there were at a perfect viewing distance. We just came with our phones, but I still got a decent picture or two! Nothing like the professionals out there with their amazing set ups, but I’m still glad we went. We planned to walk between all the different stops. This was not a smart move (as you may have guessed). We walked all the way to point 2 and there were no birds! Maybe it was too late by the time we finally arrived, but after walking. For over an hour I was pretty disappointed. We then walked to point five and saw some more beautiful cranes, but this point 1 was by far my favorite of those three. I only wish I had a place to sit and watch them all day.

Kate B — Google review

Brilliant. One of the most beautiful looking crane species I have ever seen. The cranes around 8:30am and some people come just to admire them and take pictures. This place is very rural and I would recommend renting a car if you do want to come here. PS - Interested to see the cranes through binoculars? Check out the short video here 👇 https://youtu.be/gDO4fpQ_e-c?si=zTLk7nFeOyVqqn9s

Nicholas T — Google review

The entry is free. They feed the red crown cranes with sweet corn scattered on the fields so you are sure to always see these magnificent creatures. The very knowledgeable, gentle and helpful guides in the centre answer any questions and provide in-depth information on these cranes. A great place for all your photos but be prepared to wait for them to fly in for that great shot with their wings open.

Cherry “ — Google review

Smaller, more personal experience than the International Crane Center. Make sure to inside the nearby center house to see their record keeping of bird sightings, and to contribute to their work by buying a crane handicraft etc.

Amanda H — Google review

A chance to get close with the wild cranes and observe them. The drive is long as you will need to use some roads that are narrow and unlit at nite. Would not recommend if you want to drive here during winter with heavy snow. Staff at the conservation center are also very friendly. Not recommended for people who are rushing from point to point.

Ee F — Google review

Probably the best location to observe and photograph the red-crowned cranes. The distance to the cranes was just perfect for observation and photography. I was lucky to witness numerous courtship dances, which was truly amazing. If you're planning to go, make sure to arrive earlier than the 9am feeding time. This way, you can watch the birds landing and ensure you have a good spot for photography. There are lots of photographers who set up their tripods early, so you'll want to make sure you're there in time. Overall, it was a great experience. Highly recommended.

Leh P — Google review

There wasn't one when I arrived. It turned out that they went to take food from nearby farmland. They are not very afraid of people. But for photography, it’s best to bring a tele lens.

Mic ( — Google review

January & February are the best months to watch the Tancho Red Head Cranes. Their courtship callings and dance performance is hypnotizing. During Spring these cranes fly to the near by marsh land to breed. You won’t see them till next Winter Season. I can spend hours on end watching these beautiful cranes. A must

Marri — Google review

The red-crowned cranes here are not raised in captivity, but wild red-crowned cranes, so there are no cages or fences. Great location for bird photography, can get quite busy though. Lots of cranes at a perfect viewing distance. There is parking and restrooms.

Samson L — Google review

A Red-Crowned Crane santuary that you should visit if you want to see the beautiful Crane. Feeding time is 9am and 11am. You should be there around these two times if you want to get good photos of these cranes. These cranes are considered to be good luck cranes by the Japanese and is also a symbol of love for them. The cranes normally pair for life. I have numerous photos of them including a young Crane where the head feathers are brownish as compared to the adult Crane which is black. If you want to have good photos of the cranes flying, you have to be patient and wait for a long time to catch that perfect shot. Good luck.

Alan T — Google review

3. Tsurui

Visitor Centers

Gift & Specialty Shops

Tsurui is a village located in Kushiro Subprefecture, Hokkaido. As of September 30, 2016, it has an estimated population of 2,516, and an area of 571.84 km². Tsurui is a breeding ground for the red-crowned crane, deemed one of the 100 Soundscapes of Japan. Wikipedia.

4. Tsurui

Visitor Centers

Gift & Specialty Shops

5. Tsurui

Visitor Centers

Gift & Specialty Shops

6. Kushiro

Sights & Landmarks

Civic Centers

Kushiro is a city on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. It’s known for the large Kushiro Marsh, home to deer, sea eagles and Japanese cranes. A circular trail runs through the marsh from the Kushiro Marsh Observatory. On the coast, Fisherman’s Wharf is home to restaurants and the glass-covered EGG Garden. Nearby, Hokkaido Kushiro Art Museum displays works, including photography and sculpture, by local artists.

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Akan-gun throughout the year

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Plan on the go with our free travel app

With Wanderlog's mobile travel planner on Android and iOS, access and edit your trips wherever you go — even while offline.

Access and edit your trips wherever you go — even without a connection.

4.9 on App Store, 4.7 on Google Play

Akan-gun

Akan-gun Trip Planner

Akan-gun Trip Planner

Top attractions in Akan-gun

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Akan-gun throughout the year

Add places from guides with 1 click

Collaborate with friends in real time

Import flight and hotel reservations

Expense tracking and splitting

Checklists for anything

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