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Monday, July 25, 2011

Kiritappu Wetland (霧多布湿原)| Kiritappu Wetland Trust N.P.O.

The Kiritappu Wetland is a mire with an area of 3,168ha, located in Hamanaka town in the eastern part of Hokkaido.

It is the third largest wetland in Japan and was designated as a site of international importance by the Ramsar convention in 1993.

You can have high chances to see red-crested cranes in the wetland. How beautiful they are!!!

The site is actually an important habitat for the crane, a special national natural monument designated by the government.

If you have some time, please visit an office of "Kiritappu Wetland Trust N.P.O.", a national trust founded by the local people, to protect and preserve the wetland.

If you make a reservation in advance, you can take a lecture, "how to protect & preserve the wetland" and learn their history.

Behind the office, you can stroll down the nature trail.
Let's go!!!

This is a rugosa rose, one of the representative flowers in Hokkaido.

They are cotton grasses, typical plants seen in wetlands.

They are local sweetroots called Ezo-Kanzo, the most popular flowers in the wetland.

Flowers here are recommendable from June to early-September! There are relatively more flowers compared to other wetlands. That's why this wetland is called a "wetland of flowers".

The wetland is so spacious that

Route 44 runs across the wetland.

Hamanaka town faces the Pacific Ocean like this↓

If you're interested in protecting and preserving the precious wetland, there are various ways to support their activities, one of which is to buy products or eat food served in the Kiritappu Wetland Trust N.P.O.. The office works as a small shop and cafe.

 Actually we ordered almost all items at the cafe :-)

■Rice balls topped with sea urchin & shaved kelp seaweed + miso soup

This sea urchin caught around here is soooooooooo rich & meltingly delicious!!!!

Hokki (Sakhalin Surf Clam) Curry & Rice
The clam was very juicy and naturally sweet!!!!!

■Salmon Hamburger with locally produced milk (+ dried kelp seaweed snacks + potage)

We've found another unique hamburger here! It's very tender! If you like seafood, I believe you love it!!!

Actually this milk is very recommendable. Do you know that this milk is an ingredient for ice cream of Haagen-Dazs Japan? Wow! Wow! Wow!!! Would you like to come here to drink it?
(Sure!!!)

I bought kelp pies

and dried kelp snacks, too.


The trust has several eco-tour programs such as "Boardwalk Tour", "Boot Trekking", "Flower Tour", "Mountain Bike Tour", and "Cross Country Skiing".

■Other Information on Kiritappu Wetland■
Please refer to my other posts!
*Inn Yorimichi→click here!
*Kiritappu Wetland Center (visitor center)→click here!
*Okubiwase Wild Bird Park→click here!


■Where is the office of "Kiritappu Wetland Trust N.P.O."?
Tel: +81-153-62-4600
Fax: +81-153-62-4700
E-mail

View Larger Map


■Tour guide information■
Do you need a nationally-licensed English-speaking tour guide when you travel to Hokkaido?
I'll guide you! Plz click here!