Kushiro

Kushiro is a port city on the Pacific coast in eastern Hokkaido, Japan, and serves as the administrative center of the prefecture of the same name. The surroundings include extensive marshlands that extend east and north of the city and form one of the largest wetland landscapes in the country.

An imperial decree opened the harbor in July 1899 for international trade with the United States and the United Kingdom. The decision transformed a small coastal settlement into an important trading hub for the Hokkaido region and strengthened its economic role over the following decades.

The Washo Market shows lively morning scenes when fishers sell fresh catch directly to visitors and present regional specialties like salmon and squid. During winter months, people gather at observation points near the marshlands to follow the rare red-crowned cranes during their daily foraging.

Rising early pays off for visiting the fish markets, where the freshest products are sold shortly after dawn. The marshlands can be reached by bus from the city center, with winter visits often offering the best chances to see cranes and other birds.

The coastal currents keep the harbor water ice-free throughout winter, while other northern ports in Japan freeze over. This particularity allowed the city to serve year-round as a trading gateway for Hokkaido and maintain its economic importance even during the coldest months.