4.0Shirogane Blue Pond(1.844 reviews) - Highly recommended for a visiit Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
this is absolutely a must for visitors to the area. The place has been given some renovation works and now offers a very comfortable parking lot, cafe and ice-cream shop and a gift shop. The trails can be muddy or even snowy at times (I visited in the middle of April and there was a lot of snow on the trails, which were in turn very slippery).See more..
4.0Kushiro City Tanchozuru Nature Park(251 reviews) - Not a good place to visit Japanes crane Monday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos
The place here is quite far away from Kushiro city, there is only 4 buses per day, departing from Kushiro station to here, during winter time. We took Taxi there (~5000 yen), coz we missed the early morning bus. There were not many cranes in the park. They were all kept in the fence, and each area contains only one or two crane(s). The park is extremely small with a total of <20 cranes. Most of them are injuries and do not fly. Do not expect to see many cranes or watch them dance in this park. We stay in the park for 3 hours (waiting for next bus), the only visitor in that period (12:30 to 15:50), is me and my wife!! The worst part of this park is the transportation. Better go with your car, or else you need to wait for hours for the bus. The bus station is far from the park entrance, there is no bus stop sign and you need to cross the highway! Luckily, the staff in the entrance showed us the way to the bus stop.See more..
4.0Notsuke Peninsula(187 reviews) - Wilderness combined with stunning bleakness Nature & Wildlife Areas
We quickly drove along the Notsuke Peninsula before turning back to drive up to Rausu. It was getting late in the day - almost sunset and after a beautiful day of blue sky in October were were again rewarded with some lovely views along this desolate peninsula. We were able to see deer gazing quite unperturbed by our presence, and if we had more time to spend here I'm sure we could have seen a lot more wildlife. The visitor centre has lots of information and staff who are keen to share their knowledge and passion for the local environment. One of those really unique areas of the world.See more..
Visited early March as a package day trip bus tour. Stayed here a mere 1hr, but enjoyed a lot watching beautiful cranes. During winter they feed the birds that's why so many cranes flock together. Huge number of cameramen (either professional or amateur) holiding their high-spec machine to catch impressive moments. Prepare warm clothes and enjoy yourself, this place is a special sanctuary only for winter time.See more..
This centre is located facing the Notsuke Bay which was frozen when were there recently. It has a nice souvenir shop and a small museum on the first floor over looking the bay. There are no English signs. Everything is in Japanese. The view of the sun that was setting was quite amazing. We saw some models having a photoshoot on the frozen bay when we were there. See more..
4.5Shinsennuma(125 reviews) - Nice Day trip Spent < 1 hour Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
This makes a very nice day out or half day depending on your timing. There is a large car park at the entrance along with a visitors centre and public rest rooms. The walk is partly a track and partly a boardwalk through the swamp/ marshes. You can walk all the way to the lake or a short loop to the large pond. You can see birdlife though its get a little busy on the weekends in season. THe cafe at the visitors centre serves up decent meals and occasionally they have some market stalls in the carpark.See more..
Amazing views of the red crowned cranes , they are fed at 2pm , it is amazing to see these birds , they are stunningly beautiful and majestic. The visitors centre is well worth visit , you have to take your boots off at the door , tea and coffee are available at a reasonable cost , the reserve is run by the Wildlife birds of Japan society any you buy helps them. One of the highlights of my stay in Japan. See more..
4.0Okhotsk Chipmunk Park(69 reviews) - Fun place to be in. Small yet cozy Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas
a brief will be given to you before you enter the sanctuary. It was really nice to be in to spend a hour or so in there, simply feeding the animals. The chipmunks dart everywhere, so be real careful to walk with care. See more..
We stayed at Lake Saroma to break up the long drive between Asahikawa and Shiretoko. This is a beautiful nature park with lots of wild flowers during summer . We went on the horse carriage ride and the guide even let us try holding the reins for a fab photo op. There are bicycles for rent which would have been the best way to explore the park but we didn't have time for it . See more..
4.0Narawara(53 reviews) - A brief sto- but worth it Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas
On its own its not worth it, but as a stop on the way to Todowara, it can be easily seen although there is a bit of a distance.See more..
4.0Ubaranai Sango-so Colony(48 reviews) - It was so beautiful Spent < 1 hour Nature & Wildlife Areas
I came here on 12/9/2016 and it was two days after the Sangoso Matsuri. The coral grass was red and vast. Beautiful! See more..
Well worth stopping by even for 10-15 minutes. Preferably longer if you have time for a walk. In winter sika deer around.See more..
4.5Onnenai Boardwalk(40 reviews) - Incredible views Points of Interest & Landmarks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Arriving just after daybreak the bridge was busy but people faded away. I counted approx 15 cranes you need decent binoculars or scope, as well as the cranes I saw a white tailed eagle, kingfisher and about 6 Sitka deer. The morning I was there it was sunny not a cloud in the absolutely gorgeous. Japan at its best.See more..
4.0Kiritappu Wetland(38 reviews) - Good for wildlife Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
We spent four days in the wetlands at an Airbnb house in quite an isolated place. If you love wildlife this is an amazing place to stay. We saw a crane just a few feet from our window as well as deer and lots of birds. We didn't see a bear but we were told they are around. You definitely need a car to get around.See more..
We drove along Highway 39 from the Shiretoko area to Asahikawa, instead of the free way and had a short rest at Sekihoku Pass. At the altitude of 1,050 meters above sea level, the pass was said to be once at the highest spot among the national highways. Some 30 years ago, a viewpoint was built on the hillside and it commanded a great view of the region. However, trees have grown tall around the viewpoint and not much could be seen now. So don't bother climbing up the steps to it. There is a privately run tea house with three stuffed bears. It offers some simple meals as well as snacks and drinks. It also offers an interesting range of rocks, fossils and Ainu goods. Some Ainu goods are antiques. If you are interested in any of these, it is definitely worth stopping at this tea house at Sekihoku Pass.See more..
4.0Kushiro River(31 reviews) - A great place to relax Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Geologic Formations
The water is clear & you can see the fish swim. There are large sidewalks by the river you can stroll. There are parks with flowers & benches that you can sit on & enjoy the river. Also, you see very little trash on the river bank. This is a good place to enjoy a sunny day!See more..
4.5Fukuhara Sanso(28 reviews) - Very Nice Place Nature & Wildlife Areas
This place only opens for one month once a year. Very beautiful place. Kudos to the person who upkeeps the place and opens it for public viewing.See more..
WHen I was there it was full blossom. So nice. U will enjoy the whole ocean of yellow. No plucking of flowers. The shoots taste very good. LOLSee more..
be there early ie. 630am. lots of photographers were there by 630am vying for the best spot to capture the morning fog and tancho roosting. u probably need to either drive or book a taxi to go there.See more..
3.5Onuma Bird House(26 reviews) - 北帰行の前に一休み Nature & Wildlife Areas
4.0Tarumae Garo(25 reviews) - Hidden GEM Nature & Wildlife Areas
This is the first Trip Advisor review in English so you can imagine how "secret" is this place, not many foreign tourists have visited here! Indeed, when we were there in early June, there is only 1 local photographer and another local group of 3 person. So this is really a hidden gem! Everything is very original with it's untouched beauty, serenity, peaceful and even mysterious, with lots of negative ion fresh air! We were not able to locate this place in google map but managed to get a map code 545 411 670*84 to find it. Type this in google map 42.616181,141.420283 will lead you to the small village nearby and look for 樽前ガロー. There are some English reviews there. If you are driving from Chitose, it is just over an hour to get there but make sure you go to the toilet before arriving, as there is absolutely no facilities there! We also could not find the so called car park but you can really park anywhere as there is not much tourist anyway.See more..
4.0Kayanuma Station(20 reviews) - Amazed to see the Japanese Cranes! Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Travelling on the first steam train (SL Fuyu-No-Shitsugen) of the 2020 Season in late January, I was amazed to see the Japanese Cranes "posing" for the photographers, when the train made a brief stop at Kayanuma Station. Much to the delight of the passengers on the train ..... and the assembled photographers at the Station that desired a shot of the Japanese Cranes with a Steam Locomotive in the background!See more..
4.0Shunkunitai(20 reviews) - Underwhelming unless you are a nature enthusiast Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas
Found the stroll uninteresting. Saw 2 cranes from distance, through powerful binoculars Part of Board walk was in disrepair, so could not walk to forest See more..
4.5Kagaminuma(15 reviews) - Komorebi Nature & Wildlife Areas
A very pretty hike with two river crossings over sketchy wooden bridges, Along the short hike you experience "Komorebi" refers to the sunlight that filters through the leaves of trees. Once you reach the marsh the views open up to beautiful mountains. With how fast the flora grows in this area the hike can change in two weeks time with different color flowers or just from a forest to a jungle. I've hiked it in winter and spring, it was different each time.See more..
4.5Uryunuma Moor(14 reviews) - 夏のハイキングに最適 Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
4.0Utasai Beech Forests(14 reviews) - Nice walk - northern most beech forest Nature & Wildlife Areas • Forests
Nature guides available to show you the forest - but also easy to walk for an hour in the forest - look out for the strange white fungi - Autumn Silver Dragons/Indian Ghost Pipes...woodpeckers, the window tree, great mushrooms...See more..
4.0Hangandate Forest Park(13 reviews) - 源義経が蝦夷に逃れ、この地で城塞を築いたとされる伝説の舞台 Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks • Playgrounds
3.5Shizukari Wetlands(6 reviews) - The wetlands may be a conservation place, but there is nothing to see Nature & Wildlife Areas
We drove by here looking for a place to stop and see the wetlands, but there is really nothing to see. The wetlands are the low area between the ocean and the highway and railroad tracks outside of Oshamambe town. See more..
3.5Lake Mochirippu(6 reviews) - 『思い出のマーニー』の舞台。 Spent < 1 hour Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas
