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Nature

Kushiroshitsugen National Park

Hokkaido · Japan

8 story sections

We will drive along the road that runs through Kushiro Wetland, the largest wetland in Japan, while searching for wildlife. We'll be looking for one of the largest eagles in the world; Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed eagles, and endemic mammals such as Ezo sika deer.

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Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation

    Welcome to the vast and primordial expanse of Kushiroshitsugen National Park, located in the eastern reaches of Hokkaido. Spanning over 28,000 hectares, this is Japan's largest wetland and marshland, a landscape of international…

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  2. 2The Ramsar Convention and Wetland Conservation

    The preservation of Kushiroshitsugen is a landmark in Japanese environmental policy. In 1980, it became the first wetland in Japan to be registered under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and…

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  3. 3The Red-Crowned Crane: A Symbol of Hokkaido

    No discussion of Kushiroshitsugen is complete without mentioning the 'Tancho,' or red-crowned crane. These elegant birds, with their snow-white plumage and distinctive crimson caps, are a symbol of longevity and fidelity in…

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  4. 4Hosooka Observatory: The Grand Panorama

    For the most comprehensive view of the marsh, one must visit the Hosooka Observatory on the eastern edge of the park. From this vantage point, the sheer scale of the wetland becomes apparent. …

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  5. 5The Kushiro River and the Art of Paddling

    The Kushiro River is the lifeblood of the marsh, and one of the best ways to experience the park's interior is by canoe. Paddling silently down the slow-moving current allows for a close-up encounter with the park's wildlife that…

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  6. 6Flora of the Marsh: Reeds, Moss, and Peat

    The vegetation of Kushiroshitsugen is a specialized community of plants adapted to waterlogged, acidic, and nutrient-poor conditions. The dominant plants are reeds (Yoshi) and sedges (Suge), which create the vast sea of green…

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  7. 7Akan International Crane Center and Education

    To truly understand the science and history behind the crane conservation, a visit to the Akan International Crane Center (GRUS) is essential. This facility serves as a museum, research center, and sanctuary. …

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  8. 8Closing

    Our journey through the Kushiroshitsugen National Park concludes here, amidst the vast horizon and the calls of the cranes. We have explored the international significance of this Ramsar site, marveled at the recovery of the…

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What is Kushiroshitsugen National Park?

Kushiroshitsugen National Park is a place in Hokkaido · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationHokkaido · Japan
TypeNature
Story sections8
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates43.1390, 144.4458
Last updated
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