釧路湿原国立公園の西側に位置する鶴居村は、その名の通り、国の特別天然記念物丹頂のふるさと。アイヌ語で「サルルンカムイ」(湿原の神)と称されるほど優美で美しいその姿は、古くから多くの人々に愛されてきた。
毎年11月から3月にかけて、優雅な丹頂の舞がサンクチュアリや朝霧立ち上る川の中で見られる。
In the northwest side of Kushiro Shitsugen, Tsurui is home of tancho (丹頂: Japanese crane), also called sar-or-un-kamuy (god of marshland) by Ainu. During the winter, they nest in a group in local sanctuaries and rivers.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Location 34km north of Kushiro
Population 2500
Highlights Tancho Crane Watching (December to March), Hotel Taito (Onsen)
Tourist Information Tsurui Tourist Association (鶴居村観光協会): Tel 0154-62-2020 / Tsurui Village Hall, 1-1 Tsurui-nishi / tsurui-kanko.com
01 BIRDWATCHING
Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary
鶴居 · 伊藤タンチョウサンクチュアリ / Naka-Setsuri-minami / 24hrs Oct-Mar / Nature Center 9am-4.30pm Oct-Mar (Closed Tue, Wed, 26-30 Dec) / FREE
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. It is a 10-minute walk from the Tsurui Yakuba-mae (鶴居役場前) bus stop.
02 BIRDWATCHING
Tsurumidai
鶴見台 / Shimo-Setsuri / 24hrs Nov-Mar / FREE
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). Buses to Tsurui stop here.
03 ONSEN & SLEEPING
Hotel TAITO
ホテルTAITO / Tel 0154-64-3111 / 1-5 Tsurui-nishi / Day bathing 11am-10pm, from 10am Sat & Sun (¥600) / www.hotel-taito.co.jp
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 (¥600). There is a restaurant (11am-8pm).
TSURUI MAP
Directions
Akan Bus has six daily runs from Kushiro Station bus terminal stop 15 to the Green Park Tsurui (グリーンパークつるい: 65min / ¥1250), stopping at the main attractions.
