Red crown crane (tsuru 鶴) has been one of my favourite animal to watch. They’re such graceful creatures. These birds do roam around all over Japan, but the easiest stop will be Kushiro. Kushiro is a small town to the east of Hokkaido. No fast train from major towns, 4.5 hours from Sapporo.

There are several options in the area:

  • Akan International Crane Center
  • Tsurui Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary
  • Japanese Crane Reserve
  • Kushiro Shitsugen Observatory (Kushiro Shitsugen National Park)
  • Tsurumidai Feeding Point
  • Tsurui-It Tanch Sanctuary

 

For those epic crane dance in the snow photos, go to Kushiro Shitsugen National Park in the winter. Otherwise for the balance of the year, I recommend visiting the Japanese Crane Reserve instead; sheer for the chance to spot the bird.

8-red-crowned-crane-courtship-dance-eastern-hokkaido-japan
This photo is from http://www.wildencounters.net/weblog/2010/03/hokkaido-japan-february-2010/ Paul’s blog has AMAZINGly high quality photos. Totally pro. He (& Peevna) captures wildlife beautifully. This is definitely shooting in sub zero Hokkaido winter. Need to be brave to do these shots. The title photo is also from Paul’s blog.

I am not very hardy in cold weather. I went to Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve in summer. Got quite lucky and spotted a baby crane.

japanese-crane-reserve-kushiro-tancho-red-crown-cane-2923
Must say, the baby didn’t look anything like its parents.
Japanese Crane Reserve Kushiro Tancho red crown cane-2794.JPG
Papa was feeding the baby. It was too cute.

Japanese Crane Reserve Kushiro Tancho red crown cane-2835.JPG

japanese-crane-reserve-kushiro-tancho-red-crown-cane-2633
It was my first time operating the 300m lens free hand. Clearly I was not doing well *LOL*
japanese-crane-reserve-kushiro-tancho-red-crown-cane-2635
Ops I missed again. I like crane’s butt? *LOL*

japanese-crane-reserve-kushiro-tancho-red-crown-cane-2629

japanese-crane-reserve-kushiro-tancho-red-crown-cane-2954japanese-crane-reserve-kushiro-tancho-red-crown-cane-2853This tested my patience immensely. Although I will love to see THE winter dance, I don’t know whether I have the endurance for this type of photography.

Why were there no net in my photos? This is why.Japanese Crane Reserve Kushiro Tancho red crown cane-2631.JPGThe reserve had these holes in the net for visitors to take their clean shot. This Japanese guy was very sweet and we shared this spot; like 5min was his turn and 5min was mine.

 

Tips

Bring your 300m-500m with you.

Camera should shoot can minimum 7 photo per second to avoid additional frustration.

Winter is THE time to shoot the crane dance. It’s the ONLY time.

If you visit in winter, be prepared for the crowd. Tripod & lens jacket is highly recommended.

tsurui-ito-tancho
Kushiro Shitsugen observatory in winter. Hot spot for crane photos. Photo is from http://www.talonjapan.com/kushiro-shitsugen-national-park/

 

Where was I?

Japanese Crane Reserve

112 Tsuruoka, Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan

釧路市丹頂鶴自然公園

釧路市川北町9番34号

http://kushiro-tancho.jp

This park was easily accessible by bus. It was less than 1 hour from the Kushiro bus terminal.kushiro-akan-bus-2565**Again, will like to emphasis that only the summer photos are mine. I felt that it would make this post more informative if I offer both winter and summer photos. “Borrowed” photos’ original sources are marked in the caption beneath the photo.

 

Camera: Canon 5D mark 3

 

Please be a sweetheart & support one of my social media xox

Bloglovin’ / Google+ / Twitter / Instagram / FacebookPinterest

 

Author

Salut, I am Joyce. 40 something living in Paris. Appreciate little things and share giggles. Prudent, no nonsense reviews. #ExploreLaughRepeat

6,172 Comments

  1. Violet Sherman Reply

    実はね、ゆうこちゃんの舞台めっちゃ楽しみなんだ〜!💕声も演技もいつも最高で、観に行ける日が待ち遠しい!✨ それと、ゆうこちゃんが出演してた昔のドラマ、どこで見れるか知ってる人いません?絶対また見返したいんだよね〜📺 それと Voicy の声もすっごく癒される!毎回聞くのが日課になってるよ。ゆうこちゃんの声って本当に心に染みるよね〜🥰 これからもずっと応援してる!がんばってね〜!🎉🎉 https://telegra.ph/%E7%A8%B2%E8%91%89%E5%84%AA%E5%AD%90%E3%81%AE%E6%84%9B%E7%A7%B0%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8Bchan%E3%81%AF%E3%81%A9%E3%81%86%E3%81%97%E3%81%A6%E7%94%9F%E3%81%BE%E3%82%8C%E3%81%9F%E3%81%AE%E3%81%8B%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%B3%E8%A6%96%E7%82%B9%E3%81%A7%E5%BE%B9%E5%BA%95%E6%A4%9C%E8%A8%BC-12-05

  2. 1. 実はね、Yuko InabaさんのVoicy、毎晩聞きながら眠ってるんだ。声がすごく落ち着いてて、一日の疲れがふっとんじゃう感じ。声優さんってやっぱりすごいな~って改めて思ったよ。これからも続けてほしいな!

    2. ていうか、Inabaさんって昔、劇団曼戯夢で舞台やってたんだね!全然知らなかった!どんな役を演じてたのか気になるなあ。もし過去の舞台の話とかあったら、ぜひまたブログでシェアしてほしいです。舞台の感想とかも聞いてみたい!

    3 https://cruzrdon676.yousher.com/30ride-bi-nuno33nianno-de-yu-ju-chang-jing-yanwo-huo-yongshite-anatano-mu-biaowo-qian-jinsaseru-fang-fa

Reply To Lucille Strickland Cancel Reply