Kushiro Wetlands

Kushiro Wetlands

Spreading out north of the city of Kushiro, these wetlands are the largest in Japan, spreading over an area of 19,000 hectares. It was covered by the sea approximately 5,000 years ago, but then the coastline gradually receded and the current terrain was formed 3,000 years ago. The country, the municipality and NGOs have worked to conserve the wetlands by designating them a national park, a National Natural Monument, the Kushiro Wetlands National Wildlife Refuge, and by listing them under the Ramsar Convention. Including insects, approximately 2,000 types of wildlife inhabit the wetlands, some of which are endangered species. You can enjoy riding on native Hokkaido horses, riding canoes on the Kushiro River and cross-country skiing across the snow fields in winter. You can also enjoy a relaxing view of the Kushiro Wetlands on the Norokko train moving at 30 km/h.