Tsurui Village, located in Eastern Hokkaido, is one of the best places to observe the majestic red-crowned cranes, designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan. Join our experienced guides from Picchio Shiretoko to witness the breathtaking sight of these cranes in their natural habitat. Afterward, enjoy a scenic drive through the Kushiro Marsh, where you may also encounter Yezo sika deer, Ezo red fox, White tailed eagles, Steller’s sea eagles and other native wildlife.
This tour includes full transportation with pick-up and drop-off from the Kushiro city, as well as a tea break at a charming, local Japanese wood-lodge style café.
This tour is mainly for overseas guests and provided in English.
*NOTE* This tour departs from the town of Kushiro, located approximately 150 km south of Shiretoko Peninsula.
If you are carrying children or prefer to have a private group tour, please reserve by selecting ‘Book Tour as Private.
<Pick up & Drop off location> Kushiro city
Kushiro City is a charming port town blessed with stunning natural beauty and home to two iconic national parks: Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and Akan-Mashu National Park. Nestled along the Pacific Ocean, the city boasts cool, refreshing summers and mild winters, making it a comfortable destination year-round. Unlike many other areas in Hokkaido, Kushiro experiences minimal snowfall, offering a pleasantly accessible climate. The surrounding landscapes are truly captivating. Japan’s largest wetland, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, and the breathtaking Akan-Mashu National Park, home to the serene Lake Akan, are havens for rare wildlife. Visitors can marvel at graceful red-crowned cranes, majestic Steller’s sea eagles, and Ezo deer roaming freely in their natural habitats. Kushiro is also celebrated for its incredible seafood, freshly landed at Kushiro Port. Food lovers will be delighted by the city’s unique culinary offerings.
<Access>
From Sapporo
1. By Train: JR Limited Express
Service: JR Limited Express "Ozora"
Travel Time: Approximately 4 hours
Frequency: 6-7 trains per day (as of 2023)
Cost: Around 9,500–10,000 JPY (one way, unreserved seat);
discounts may apply for rail pass holders like the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass or Japan Rail Pass.
2. By Plane
Depart: New Chitose Airport (Sapporo)
Arrive: Kushiro Airport
Flight Time: About 45 minutes
Airlines: JAL (Japan Airlines) and ANA (All Nippon Airways)
Cost: 10,000–15,000 JPY (one way), depending on the time of booking and promotional fares.
3. By Highway Bus
Service: Hokkaido Chuo bus
Travel Time: Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes
Note Need to make a reservation in advance
Cost: Around 6,000 JPY (one way),depending on the time of booking and promotional fares.
4. By Car (Self-Drive)
Route: Via the Doto Expressway and National Route 38.
Travel Time: Around 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 300 km
Highway fare: About 6,000 JPY one way.
From Tokyo
By Plane
The fastest and most convenient option.
Departure Airports: Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita Airport (NRT)
Arrival Airport: Kushiro Airport (KUH)
Flight Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Airlines: JAL (Japan Airlines) and ANA (All Nippon Airways) operate from Haneda.
Some low-cost carriers (seasonal) may operate from Narita.
Cost: Regular fares: 15,000–30,000 JPY (one way).
Period
From Dec. 1st, 2025 to Mar 20th, 2026
Time
Morning tour; 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Afternoon tour; 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Pick-up service begins 30 minutes before each tour.
The finishing time shown also includes drop-off.
With this schedule, you can easily travel from Kushiro Station to Sapporo on the 1:56PM train after the morning tour
finish, or arrive in Kushiro from Sapporo on the 1:20PM train to join the afternoon tour.
Price
12,700 JPY/ person as a group tour
*Includes full transportation, tea break and English guide.
50,000 JPY/ group(1-6people) as a private tour
*This tour is exclusively for one group and can be customized to your preferences.
Requirement
6 years or older.
*If you are accompanied by small children under 6 years old, please book as a private tour.
Language
English
Meeting place
Select a requested meeting place from below when you make a reservation.
-Group tour-
・Hotels in Kushiro Area(Lobby of your accommodation.)
・JR Kushiro station
-Private tour-
・Hotels in Kushiro Area(Lobby of your accommodation.)
・JR Kushiro station
・Kushiro Airport
Pick up time
The meeting time is different depending on the meeting place requested.
Once we have that information, we will inform you of detailed pick-up time based on your location
one day before the tour date.
Brief Tour Schedule
① Pickup from the place in Kushiro city you requested
②Little walk at Onnenai marsh trail
③Red-crowned Crane observation in Tsurui Village
④Tea time at local cafe
⑤ Wildlife watching drive through Kushiro Marsh Road (deer, eagles, etc.)
⑥Observe water birds at Shirarutoro lake
⑦ Drop-off at hotel in Kushiro
-Group tour-
① Pick up at hotels in Kushiro area
Morning tour ~8:30AM
Afternoon tour ~1:30PM
②Onnenai marsh trail
Enjoy a leisurely 20–30 minute boardwalk stroll, spotting small birds such as tits — including the adorable Shimaenaga (long-tailed tit) — as well as Yezo sika deer, all with the breathtaking backdrop of the snow-covered Kushiro Marsh.
② Tsurui Ito sanctuary or Tsurumi dai observation spot
Tsurui Village, whose name means ‘the place where red-crowned cranes live,’ is renowned as a winter gathering spot for these graceful birds. In the snowy fields, you may see cranes foraging for food or flying gracefully overhead. During their mating season (around mid-February to mid-March), you may even witness their elegant courtship dance.
③Tea Time at a Local Café
Take a relaxing break at a charming, wood-lodge style café, where you can enjoy coffee and Hokkaido local sweets
while chatting with the friendly owner.
④ Enjoy a scenic drive through the Kushiro Marsh
Enjoy a scenic drive along the riverside marsh road, with breathtaking views of the winter marsh and the chance to see wildlife including Yezo sika deer, Ezo red foxes, cranes, eagles, and other creatures.
⑤Shirarutoro lake
To conclude the trip, we will visit Shirarutoro Lake, once an old sea inlet. Thanks to the flowing water, the lake never fully freezes in winter, providing a serene resting place for water birds such as swans.
⑥ Drive back to hotels in Kushiro area
*The tour itinerary is subject to change without prior notice due to weather or road conditions. Thank you for your understanding.
-Private tour-
Our private tour itineraries can be tailored to your preferences.
You are welcome to follow the group tour itinerary above, or let us design a unique plan just for you.
Head
Woolen hat, neck-warmer
Tops
Waterproof jacket (or ski jacket), fleece jacket, sweater and long sleeve shirts.
Bottoms
Waterproof overtrousers (or ski trousers). It is strongly recommended to wear thick fabric trousers or tights underneath.
Shoes
Warm winter boots
Others
Gloves
Sunglasses or goggles are useful.
Bottle of water
Notice
- Please note that encounters with wildlife are not 100% guaranteed.
- Depending on natural conditions, the end time may vary slightly. Please join our tours with time to spare.
- Please come to the agreed place on time. If you are late on the day, we will consider you a no show and might give your spot to someone else. Please contact us if you think you might be delayed.
- Cancellation is free up to 2 days before the tour. If you cancel 2 days before the start of the tour, you will be charged a cancellation fee of 20%, if you cancel the day before the tour then a 50 % cancellation fee will apply and if you cancel on the day of the tour, then the full tour price will be asked for.
For more information please refer to “Frequently Asked Questions”.
Join our popular "Red-crowned Crane and Wildlife Watching" in a private setting exclusively for your group.
Period
From Dec 1st to Mar 20th, 2026
Time
Half day; up to 4hours
Full day; up to 8hours
Pricing:
1-6 people: ¥50,000
Capacity:
6 people per guide
Reservations:
- Online Reservations: Available 24/7.
- What's App Reservations: +81-9280-7128 Available from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
If staff are unavailable, please leave your name and message as a text message,
and we will get back to you as soon as we are available.
Red crowned crane
The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is a majestic and graceful bird native to Hokkaido, Japan, and parts of East Asia. Revered as one of Japan's sacred birds, its striking beauty has captured hearts for generations. Once on the brink of extinction with only a dozen individuals remaining, conservation efforts have successfully revived their population to around 2,000 today.
During this tour, you’ll visit special sites where cranes are fed to support their population growth. In winter, particularly from January to March—their mating season—these magnificent birds gather at feeding grounds. This is a rare opportunity to witness their enchanting courtship rituals, including elegant dances and calls between males and females.
