Japan’s special national monument

Today we visited various centres in the Kushiro Wetland, which is a designated national park, including the Marsh Observatory and the Crane Reserve which is home to about 20 red-crowned cranes. Their aim is to promote the protection and propagation of cranes through winter feeding and propagation programs. There are only around 1,800 birds in Japan and it is an endangered species. The recent snowfall created some marvellous photo opportunities.
The extra shows views of the mountains to the east and the sunset over the Kushiro museum and the port. The Kushiro museum, which we visited in the afternoon together with the fish market, was designed by Kiko to resemble a crane with outspread wings. We also enjoyed a traditional Japanese lunch.
The temperature during the day was remarkably pleasant in the sun but the temperature was falling fast around 5pm to -7 (feels like -14!)
Onwards tomorrow by a four hour train journey to the capital of Hokkaido, Sapporo.