The Kushiro Marsh, which spreads across eastern Hokkaido, is Japan's largest marshland national park. The marshland, which spreads across a vast plain, is said to have been formed about 3,000 years ago and is a precious natural environment that has been preserved, and is registered under the Ramsar Convention. A wide variety of flora and fauna, including the red-crowned crane, a special natural monument, as well as Ezo deer and Ezo red foxes, inhabit the area, and its majestic scenery and rich ecosystem fascinate visitors. It is a must-visit place for tourists who want to experience the great outdoors of Hokkaido.

To experience the charm of the Kushiro Marshland, it is recommended to access it from several observation decks and visitor centers. The Kushiro City Marsh Observation Deck is a great viewpoint from which you can see the entire marshland, and you can enjoy a 360-degree panorama from the tower. You can also learn about the origins of the marshland and its flora and fauna at the Lake Toro Eco Museum Center "Alcot" and the Onnenai Visitor Center. In particular, if you take the tourist train "Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko" that runs slowly from Kushiro Shitsugen Station to Toro Station, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of the marsh from the window.

Boardwalks are maintained in the marsh, so you can stroll around while experiencing the nature of the marsh up close. The Kushiro Marsh, which shows different faces in each season, with fresh greenery in spring, flowers in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter, will give you a new impression no matter when you visit. In this land where untouched nature remains, you can feel the vitality of the earth.

[Trivia]
The Kushiro Marsh was an ocean floor until about 6,000 years ago, but the sea receded and it became a freshwater lake, and over the years, peat accumulated to form the marsh that we see today. A thick layer of peat has accumulated underground in the marsh, which stores water and fosters a rich ecosystem.

[Hidden gem information]
If you walk along the boardwalk that continues from the Kushiro City Marsh Observation Deck, you will come across a little-known observation deck called the Hokuto Observation Deck (Satellite Observation Deck). This is a relatively quiet spot, allowing you to enjoy the marsh scenery in a quieter environment. You can also join a canoe or kayak tour down the Kushiro River, going deep into the marsh and enjoying the scenery that can only be seen from the water and encountering wild animals.