Kushiro Shitsugen National Park

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park is home to Japan's largest wetland, covering an expansive 28,788 hectares and the surrounding hills. As Japan's first Ramsar-registered wetland of international importance and a designated national natural monument, the park preserves much of its untouched nature.

The park promises its nature-fans with the kiss of impeccable nature across all four seasons, with verdant new sprouts in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn leaves, and serene snow-covered landscapes in winter. While inside you may spot some of the wildlife who call this park home, including red foxes and Ezo deer or even some rare species like the red-crowned crane (tancho) and white-tailed eagle. The wooden walkways around the wetland offer a chance to observe these animals in their natural habitat. There are also several observation points to swing by including the Hosooka Observatory and Kushiro City Wetland Observatory, where you can step up and take in the full scene of breathtaking wetlands below.

Take a deep-dive into the wetlands at this nearby stops. At the Onnenai Visitor Center you’ll find a detailed showcase of the area's plants and animals, while the Tōro-ko Eco Museum Center "Arukotto" uses dioramas to explain the plants of the wetland with a focus on water. The Kushiro Wetland Wildlife Conservation Center is dedicated to the protection and research of injured wildlife and has an exhibition area for visitors. These facilities are great to visit before or after exploring the wetland to top off your trip with an intriguing sense of context.