When you hear that the Kushiro City Museum of Art is shaped like a crane with its wings outstretched, you might guess the bird’s an important local symbol. And hey, you’d be right! The endangered red-crowned Japanese crane can be found here and only here, like in the 70+ square miles of wetlands that make up Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, an area best explored either by canoe tour or on foot via the series of boardwalk trails. There’s more to experience in Kushiro, and much of it’s often shrouded in mist, lending the city something of a mysterious aesthetic. But it’s... Read More

When you hear that the Kushiro City Museum of Art is shaped like a crane with its wings outstretched, you might guess the bird’s an important local symbol. And hey, you’d be right! The endangered red-crowned Japanese crane can be found here and only here, like in the 70+ square miles of wetlands that make up Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, an area best explored either by canoe tour or on foot via the series of boardwalk trails. There’s more to experience in Kushiro, and much of it’s often shrouded in mist, lending the city something of a mysterious aesthetic. But it’s also incredibly welcoming, like Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf “MOO” with its seaside restaurants and small shops, or the Washo Market, famous for fresh sushi. Read Less