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Lake Furen

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Lake Furen

A nature-rich lake known as one of Japan’s largest migration sites for whooper swans.

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Supervised by :  Betsukai Tourism Association

Spanning Nemuro City and Betsukai Town in Hokkaido, Lake Furen is a brackish lake with a shoreline of Approx. 96 kilometers. Protected as part of the Notsuke-Furen Prefectural Natural Park, where seawater and freshwater mix, it supports a richly varied natural environment. Around the lake are coastal sand dunes, grasslands, wetlands, and forests, where you can see a wide variety of plants such as rugosa roses, Ezosukashiyuri lilies, and Sendaihagi.

It is also known as one of Japan’s leading swan migration sites. From around mid-October in particular, large numbers of whooper swans arrive and turn the lake’s surface white. You can also observe around 330 species of wild birds, including the red-crowned crane, a Special Natural Monument.

On the eastern side of the lake is Shunkunitai, home to a valuable pure forest of Akaezomatsu spruce. Together with Lake Furen, it is designated as a Ramsar wetland. If you want to learn more about the plants and animals that can be observed at Lake Furen and Shunkunitai, a visit to the Nemuro City Shunkunitai Wild Bird Nature Center right by the lake is recommended.

Highlights

  • A brackish lake where freshwater and seawater mix, creating a diverse natural environment.
  • One of Japan’s leading birdwatching spots, with around 330 species of wild birds visiting.
  • Registered under the Ramsar Convention together with Shunkunitai.

Photos

  • A rich natural environment where diverse wildlife and plants thrive

    A rich natural environment where diverse wildlife and plants thrive

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Are there restrooms nearby?
A

There is a public restroom near Furen Kohan Park that is available year-round.

Reviews

1

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • 楊雅雯
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    This time I visited Lake Furen, a place with relatively few tourists. Without bustling crowds, it was easier to quietly appreciate the beauty of Hokkaido's untouched nature.
    Lake Furen is known as a wintering ground for whooper swans, and if you're lucky, you may see flocks of them resting by the lake. The vast lake, wetlands, and surrounding natural scenery create a very peaceful atmosphere. There are none of the crowds found at popular attractions, giving it a more relaxed and unspoiled feel. If you enjoy natural scenery, this place is definitely worth saving.

Details

Name in Japanese
風蓮湖
Address
Nemuro City, Hokkaido, Notsuke District, Betsukai Town
Phone
0153-74-9018 (Betsukai Tourism Association), 0153-24-3104 (Nemuro Tourism Association)
Closed on
Open year-round for walks
Hours
Open year-round for walks
Admission
Free to explore
Access
A short walk from the Michi-no-Eki Swan 44 Nemuro bus stop
Official website
Official website (Japanese)
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