In March, when the cherry blossoms and rape blossoms are coming in from Honshu, the mornings here in Kushiro Marsh’s Hosooka and Tatsukotake parks are still cold at 8 degrees below zero.Even so, red-crowned cranes, which have begun to return to Kushiro Marsh from their feeding grounds, announce the morning with their chirping, and people enjoying fishing and canoeing bring spring to Hokkaido.

Kushiro Marsh and Mt. Oakan from Hosooka Observatory

The meandering Kushiro River

Red-crowned crane and Kushiro River

Kushiro Marshland and Mt.Meakan

Kushiro River, marshland and canoe touring

Hosooka Visitors’ Lounge

Kushiro Marshlands Sunset