Lake Utonai

Located about a 25-minute drive from the center of Tomakomai, Lake Utonai is a freshwater lake with a circumference of 9 km, covering an area of 275 hectares and an average depth of 0.6 meters. It is fed by the Bibigawa, Yufutsu, and Otarumappu rivers, with rich natural surroundings including wilderness and wetlands along its shores.

Famous as a birdwatching haven, Lake Utonai was designated as Japan's first bird sanctuary in 1981 and became a national special wildlife protection area in 1982. Over 270 bird species have been observed at the lake. In autumn, the lake serves as a crucial stopover and wintering site for migratory birds such as whooper swans, tundra swans, and greater white-fronted geese, and it is registered under the Ramsar Convention for wetlands conservation.

At the Lake Utonai Wildlife Conservation Center (open from 9:00am to 5:00pm, closed Mondays), visitors can learn about the local ecosystem through taxidermy displays and informative videos. For groups, special educational programs are available to explore the natural environment of the lake.

A nature observation path is also maintained around the lake, offering visitors the chance to observe various birds throughout the changing seasons.