Want to witness the graceful dance of Japan’s national bird? Come to Akan International Crane Center, where you can not only admire the elegant beauty of the red-crowned crane (Tancho) but also gain a deep understanding of the conservation efforts for this rare bird. Located in Kushiro, Hokkaido, this sanctuary opens up a fascinating and meaningful journey of wild nature exploration.
Where is Akan Crane Center Located?
Akan International Crane Center, also known as Akan Crane Center, is nestled beside the dreamy Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Lake Akan, the largest lake in Hokkaido, is famous not only for its stunning natural scenery but also as an ideal habitat for red-crowned cranes. It has become a leading center for red-crowned crane conservation and research, attracting visitors from all over the world.
The specific address of the sanctuary is: 23-40, Akancho Kamiakan, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido. For easy navigation, you can use the phone number +81-154-66-4011 or locate it on Google Maps via this link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ctUFA4aNZQBTGRReA. The official website of the sanctuary is https://aiccgrus.wixsite.com/aiccgrus/english-page, where you can find more detailed information.
The sanctuary is open to visitors from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, but please note that it is closed from April to October. The entrance fee is very reasonable: 480 yen for high school students and adults, and 250 yen for junior high and elementary school students. With this price, you will explore a colorful and meaningful world of red-crowned cranes.
Akan Crane Center: Research and conservation center for Tancho red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido
Peaceful scenery at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido, where red-crowned cranes live and are conserved.
Peaceful scenery at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido, where red-crowned cranes live and are conserved.
Discovering the Unique Features of Akan Crane Center
Akan Crane Center is not just a place for bird watching; it is also a unique ecotourism destination. Here, you will immerse yourself in wild nature, witness impressive moments of red-crowned cranes, and learn about meaningful conservation efforts.
Watching the Japanese Red-crowned Crane Dance
The biggest attraction at Akan Crane Center is the opportunity to see Japanese red-crowned cranes up close in their natural environment. Especially in winter, hundreds of cranes from all over gather in the Lake Akan area to feed, creating a truly spectacular scene. Flocks of graceful cranes soaring against the white snow, or elegantly “dancing” their characteristic courtship dances, will surely captivate you.
The sanctuary has set up ideal observation points, making it easy for visitors to admire and capture the wonderful moments of red-crowned cranes. Prepare your camera and binoculars so you don’t miss any memorable moments.
Watching elegant red-crowned cranes dance at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Visitors enjoy observing graceful flocks of red-crowned cranes at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Visitors enjoy observing graceful flocks of red-crowned cranes at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Romantic moment of a pair of red-crowned cranes at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Elegant pair of red-crowned cranes "dancing" their courtship dance at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Elegant pair of red-crowned cranes “dancing” their courtship dance at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Learning About Red-crowned Crane Conservation Efforts
Akan Crane Center plays an important role in the conservation and research of red-crowned cranes, a bird that once faced the threat of extinction. The center has created a natural-simulating habitat, helping red-crowned cranes to breed and thrive. Here, you will learn about valuable conservation efforts, scientific research projects, and wildlife protection awareness.
Exhibitions and educational activities at the center will provide you with useful knowledge about red-crowned cranes, from their biological characteristics and living habits to their role in the ecosystem. You will realize that protecting this bird is not only the responsibility of Japan but also of the international community.
Research and conservation area for red-crowned cranes at Akan International Crane Center, Hokkaido
Modern research area at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido, supporting the conservation of rare birds.
Modern research area at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido, supporting the conservation of rare birds.
Information about red-crowned crane conservation efforts at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Visitors learn about red-crowned crane conservation efforts at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Visitors learn about red-crowned crane conservation efforts at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Participating in Events and Experiential Activities
Akan Crane Center regularly organizes special events and festivals related to red-crowned cranes, especially in winter when cranes gather here. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the lively festival atmosphere, participate in local cultural experiences, and learn more about this symbolic bird.
The center also has diverse educational programs suitable for all ages. You can participate in talks, seminars, workshops about red-crowned cranes, or direct interaction activities with nature. These experiences are not only educational but also very interesting and memorable.
Educational event about red-crowned cranes at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Extracurricular educational event attracting children at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Extracurricular educational event attracting children at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Interactive activity and learning about red-crowned cranes at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Educational activity raising awareness about red-crowned crane conservation at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Educational activity raising awareness about red-crowned crane conservation at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Exploring Functional Areas at the Center
Akan Crane Center is divided into 4 main areas, each offering different exploration experiences:
- Children’s Library: This place gathers a wealth of materials about red-crowned cranes, from encyclopedias and pictures to research reports. The indoor play area is also an ideal destination for families with young children.
Children's library at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Friendly library space for children at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Friendly library space for children at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
- Exhibition Room: A large 200-inch screen will show realistic films about the lives of red-crowned cranes in their natural environment. This is a great opportunity for you to observe up close and learn more about this bird.
Documentary film exhibition room about red-crowned cranes at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Modern cinema showing films about red-crowned crane life at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Modern cinema showing films about red-crowned crane life at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
- Outdoor Breeding Area: A large space designed close to the natural environment, where red-crowned cranes are raised and cared for. You can observe cranes in a semi-wild environment and learn about the process of caring for them.
Outdoor breeding area at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Outdoor red-crowned crane breeding area at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido, simulating the natural environment.
Outdoor red-crowned crane breeding area at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido, simulating the natural environment.
- Tancho Crane Watching Area: A must-visit destination for bird lovers. Here, you can observe red-crowned cranes and more than 110 other species of wild birds year-round.
Tancho crane observation area at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Ideal area for bird and red-crowned crane watching at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Ideal area for bird and red-crowned crane watching at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Ideal Time to Visit Akan Crane Center
Each season at Akan Crane Center brings its own beauty. However, as the center is closed from April to October, the best time to visit is from November to March of the following year. This is winter in Hokkaido, when snow covers everything and red-crowned cranes gather in the Lake Akan area to forage. You will have the opportunity to admire flocks of graceful cranes against the white snow, a truly romantic and impressive scene.
Beautiful winter scenery at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Winter snow scene at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido, ideal time for red-crowned crane watching.
Winter snow scene at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido, ideal time for red-crowned crane watching.
Red-crowned cranes foraging in winter at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Graceful red-crowned cranes foraging on the white snow in winter at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Graceful red-crowned cranes foraging on the white snow in winter at Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Suggested Other Red-crowned Crane Viewing Spots Near Akan Crane Center
In addition to Akan Crane Center, the Kushiro area has several other ideal locations for red-crowned crane viewing:
- Tsurui Village: Famous for the Otowa Bridge, where you can watch red-crowned cranes foraging on the icy river in the early morning.
Otowa Bridge in Tsurui Village, a famous red-crowned crane viewing spot near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Scenic Otowa Bridge in Tsurui Village, Hokkaido, a famous red-crowned crane viewing spot.
Scenic Otowa Bridge in Tsurui Village, Hokkaido, a famous red-crowned crane viewing spot.
- Tsuruimidai Observation Site: Located right next to National Route 53, Tsuruimidai is where a large number of red-crowned cranes gather during the foraging season.
Tsuruimidai Observation Site, another red-crowned crane viewing spot near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Tsuruimidai Observation Site, where many red-crowned cranes gather during foraging season in Hokkaido.
Tsuruimidai Observation Site, where many red-crowned cranes gather during foraging season in Hokkaido.
- Tsurui Ito Tancho Sanctuary: A vast snow field where red-crowned cranes are fed throughout the winter, making observation easy.
Tsurui Ito Tancho Sanctuary, a red-crowned crane viewing spot near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Tsurui Ito Tancho Sanctuary, where red-crowned cranes are cared for and protected during winter in Hokkaido.
Tsurui Ito Tancho Sanctuary, where red-crowned cranes are cared for and protected during winter in Hokkaido.
Directions to Akan Crane Center
To get to Akan Crane Center, you first need to get to Kushiro City. Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Kushiro; you need to fly to Tokyo and then connect to Kushiro Airport.
From Kushiro Airport, you can choose the following means of transportation:
- Taxi: Convenient and fast, travel time is about 20 minutes, cost is about 4,000 yen.
- Bus: Take the Akan bus to the Tancho no Sato stop, which takes about 25 minutes with a fare of 870 yen.
Suggested Tourist Attractions Near Akan Crane Center
Combining a visit to Akan Crane Center, you can explore many other attractive tourist spots in the Kushiro area:
Lake Akan
A beautiful freshwater lake located in Akan Mashu National Park, famous for its peaceful beauty, clear blue water, and unique ecosystem. You can participate in activities such as boating on the lake, fishing, mountain climbing, or relaxing at natural hot springs.
Dreamy Lake Akan, a tourist spot near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Boating on the clear Lake Akan, an exciting experience near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Boating on the clear Lake Akan, an exciting experience near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Nusamai Bridge
A symbol of Kushiro City, the bridge spans the Kushiro River and is especially shimmering at night when it is lit up. This is an ideal place to watch the sunset and admire the 4 statues of goddesses symbolizing the four seasons of Hokkaido.
Shimmering Nusamai Bridge, a tourist spot near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Nusamai Bridge brilliantly lit at night, a romantic destination near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Nusamai Bridge brilliantly lit at night, a romantic destination near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Kushiro City Museum
A place to display artifacts and documents about the history, culture, and nature of the Kushiro region. You will have the opportunity to learn about Kushiro Shitsugen National Park and the unique culture of the Ainu people.
Kushiro City Museum, a cultural tourist spot near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Discover Kushiro culture and history at the City Museum, near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Discover Kushiro culture and history at the City Museum, near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido.
Kushiro Zoo
The largest zoo in Hokkaido, home to over 50 species of wild animals in a simulated natural environment. You can meet Hokkaido brown bears, Siberian tigers, Arctic penguins, and many other interesting animals.
Kushiro Zoo with diverse creatures, a tourist spot near Akan Crane Center, Hokkaido
Hokkaido brown bear at Kushiro Zoo, an attractive destination near Akan Crane Center.
Hokkaido brown bear at Kushiro Zoo, an attractive destination near Akan Crane Center.
Important Notes When Visiting Akan Crane Center
To make your visit to Akan Crane Center more complete, please remember the following notes:
- Weather: Kushiro has quite erratic weather, especially very cold in winter. Prepare warm clothes, hats, gloves, and thermal shoes. In summer, bring cool clothes, hats, and sunscreen. Check the weather forecast before going.
- Binoculars: Bring binoculars to observe red-crowned cranes and other birds more clearly.
- Regulations: Follow the regulations and instructions of the sanctuary to ensure safety and avoid affecting the habitat of cranes.
- Cultural Etiquette: Do not litter, do not make noise, and respect the quiet space of the sanctuary.
Akan Crane Center is an ideal destination for those who love nature and want to explore the wild beauty of Hokkaido. Plan your trip and experience memorable moments in this red-crowned crane paradise!
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