Arasaki
Where is Arasaki?
The Arasaki Crane Sanctuary is located near the city of Izumi on the island of Kyushu, Japan
Why go?
Why go to Arasaki? The answer is cranes, cranes, and more cranes. Thousands of cranes of several species can be seen in one location. White-naped Cranes and Hooded Cranes make up the majority, but you can often see a few Sandhill and Common Cranes as well.
White-napped, Hooded and other cranes stop here every year on their migration from Mongolia and northeast China.
Demoiselle, Red-crowned and Siberian Cranes are rare but also appear there every few years. With luck, you might see seven species of cranes in a single day, although two to four species is more likely.
The sight of 10,000 Hooded Cranes is a delight to behold, and worth going even if you see only one or two other species.
Other birds
Sometimes a flock of Black-faced spoonbills can be found in the Crane Reserve along with Kentish Plover, Northern Lapwing, and many ducks, egrets, and herons.
In the wooded areas, look for Japanese Green Pheasant. In the open meadows, look for Meadow Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, and Rustic Bunting. They are common but in winter plumage at this time of year. Along the rivers, look for Brown Dipper and Crested Kingfisher.
Special birds to look for include the Chinese Penduline Tit and the Daurian Jackdaw.
The Chinese Penduline Tit is a regular visitor.
The Hooded Crane
The White-naped Crane
The Arasaki Crane Observation Centre
The Arsaki Crane Observation Centre is a two-story building with telescopes for close-up views of the birds, a crane museum, and a restaurant.
Unfortunately, the Observation Centre does not open until mid-morning, but the birds are active early after sunrise. You can go and park your car and take photos, but it will be a while before you can go to the observation deck. The centre seems geared toward casual tourists rather than dedicated birders. They don’t have a website, but some information can be found in a Google search.
Accommodation
There is a guest house if you wish to stay overnight. Wake up to the bugling calls of the cranes and then witness them rise simultaneously to go to the field near the observation centre for breakfast.
Unfortunately, they do not have a website, and I have been able to find out very little about them. If you have been there and can provide photos and information about the guest house, I will add it here with a credit to you.
Photo Credits
Hooded Crane by Agami Photo Agency
White-naped Crane by Zhaozhonqhua
Chinese Penduline Tit by Zhanquaobeibei
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