Tsurui | Travel

Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary

鶴居 · 伊藤タンチョウサンクチュアリ

10min walk from Tsurui-yakuba-mae bus stop

At the eastern edge of Central Tsurui, this sanctuary is run by the Wild Bird Society of Japan and about 400 tancho come here from October to March.

Otowa-bashi

音羽橋

24min walk from Shimo-Setsuri bus stop

This bridge, across Setsuri-gawa, is Tsurui’s most photographed spot for tancho, especially at dawn in winter. Visitors release the shutter towards tancho on the river. Otowa-bashi is so popular and cold from December to March. The closest bus stop is Shimo-Setsuri (1.7km west of the bridge) on the prefectural route, one stop south of Tsurumidai.

Tsurumidai

鶴見台

1min walk from Tsurumidai bus stop

One of Tsurui’s main places to observe about 200 tancho, this feeding ground is just a short walk from Tsurumidai bus stop. Follow the keeper around at feeding time (morning and 2.30pm from November to March).

Photo: じゃらんnet

Hotel Green Park Tsurui ♨︎

ホテルグリーンパークつるい

1min walk from Green Park Tsurui bus stop

This good-value hotel adjoining the athletic park has a mix of Japanese- and Western-style rooms with a communal onsen (day bathing is possible). Akan Bus runs directly to the hotel from Kushiro. Pick-up from JR Kushiro Station or Kushiro Airport is also possible for two or more people, if you request in advance.

Website

じゃらんnet

Photo: じゃらんnet

Tsurui Northern Village Hotel Taito ♨︎

鶴居ノーザンビレッジ HOTEL TAITO

1min walk from Tsurui-chugakko bus stop

Spruce compact hotel in Central Tsurui, Hotel Taito is the best location for both wildlife and onsen lovers. It offers Japanese- and Western-style rooms. The relaxed onsen with open-air baths are open to nonguests. The owner is professional photographer and offers a guided tour in the wetlands’s special protection area.

Website

じゃらんnet

Photo: じゃらんnet

Tsurui-mura Shitsugen Onsen Hotel ♨︎

つるいむら湿原温泉ホテル

1min walk from Tsurui bus stop

Located in the heart of Tsurui, this Scandinavian-style onsen hotel has indoor and open-air baths, a barrel sauna and a bistro.

Website

じゃらんnet