Get up close to the most loyal cranes in the world – Kushiro’s “Red-crowned Crane Nature Park” in Hokkaido

Reported by Lin Yuling / Hokkaido

Japan’s national bird, the red-crowned crane, also known as the “crane,” is famed for its “loyalty.” These birds mate for life, staying with a single partner unless widowed, soaring together through the skies. To protect this endangered species, the city of Kushiro in Hokkaido established the “Red-crowned Crane Nature Park,” spanning 96,000 square meters, where visitors can admire the graceful birds up close and learn about the importance of conservation and breeding efforts.

▲ The city of Kushiro in Hokkaido established the “Red-crowned Crane Nature Park” to allow visitors to observe the cranes up close. (Photo by reporter Lin Yuling)

Red-crowned cranes sport pure white feathers with jet-black tails and a striking red patch on their heads, giving them an elegant and noble appearance. However, in the past, due to a lack of ecological awareness and no firearm regulations in Japan, land development led to overhunting and habitat destruction, causing the crane population to plummet to the brink of extinction.

▲ Red-crowned cranes are the most loyal birds, mating for life. (Photo byKONDOH の自由lままブログ)

It wasn’t until 1924 when traces of the cranes were rediscovered in the Kushiro Wetlands of Hokkaido that the Japanese government, with public support, began establishing protected areas for them and prioritizing conservation and breeding efforts. The “Red-crowned Crane Nature Park” in Kushiro City was born from these initiatives. Covering 96,000 square meters, the protected area restricts any construction that might damage the cranes’ habitat, ensuring the beautiful legend of these majestic birds lives on.

▲ The Kushiro Red-crowned Crane Nature Park spans 96,000 square meters. (Photo by reporter Lin Yuling)

▲ The enclosure has small gates that can be opened for photography. (Photo by reporter Lin Yuling)

▲ Inside the park’s museum, there is plenty of information about red-crowned cranes along with statues – their wingspan can reach up to 2 meters. (Photo by reporter Lin Yuling)

According to Yoshino Tomoki, a keeper at the Red-crowned Crane Nature Park, adult cranes weigh around 6 to 10 kilograms, with a wingspan of 2 meters. They begin flying at about 100 days old, stay with their mother for a year before separating, and start showing a red crown on their heads at age two. Between ages one to four, they stay with other juveniles, and only become adults at age four. From then on, they find a lifelong mate and live together until the end of their days.

Unless their partner dies, red-crowned cranes remain faithful for life, earning them the title of “the most loyal bird” – something even humans find touching and humbling.However, red-crowned cranes typically lay only one or two eggs at a time, resulting in a low reproduction rate. Combined with threats from predators or human interference, breeding efforts are far from easy.

▲ When looking for a mate, adult cranes first perform a duet dance; if their rhythm matches, they naturally become a pair. (Photo bytoyotarentacar.net)

Initially, the nature park had just five cranes, but today there are 18, all living in bonded pairs within the conservation area. Visitors can observe their majestic beauty up close through the fences. How do they pair the cranes in the park? Yoshino Tomoki explains that they first dance together in open spaces; if their rhythm matches, they naturally become mates.

Besides the Red-crowned Crane Nature Park in Kushiro City, there are other protected areas in the same city such as the Akan International Crane Center and Tsurumi Observation Deck, where visitors can get up close to photograph and learn about the cranes’ behavior and condition.However, visitors are reminded not to make loud noises or throw objects such as stones or snowballs at the cranes, which could startle them. Such actions may also result in penalties under animal protection laws.

▲ In the video, the red-crowned cranes pacing back and forth are actually in a state of alert. Their exaggerated steps are a form of “intimidation,” while nodding and showing their red crests serves as a warning to intruders. If you see a crane acting this way, it’s best to keep your distance, avoid loud noises, and refrain from getting too close to avoid disturbing the cranes – and to prevent possible fines under wildlife protection laws.

【Kushiro Red-crowned Crane Nature Park】
Address: 112 Tsurugaoka, Kushiro, Hokkaido
Phone: 0154-56-2219