Have you heard about Japan's dancing cranes ?
The Red-crowned crane, also known as the Japanese crane, is a rare bird that happens to pass by our farmstay here in Hokkaido, Japan.
Find out more about this interesting species.
The Japanese crane, or タンチョウ鶴、are a rare species that was once thought extinct (due to overhunting during the Meiji era (1868-1912).
Several dozen red-crowned cranes were discovered in 1924 inhabiting the remote areas of the Kushiro Wetland in Hokkaidō.
Only 33 birds were recorded in a wintering habitat survey conducted in 1952, the year Kushiro tanchō were designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan.
Numbers have thankfully increased due to conservation efforts such as legal protection, winter feeding, and public support. However, proper nesting habitat remains limited.
According to the Japan Ministry of the Environment, a wintering distribution survey in January 2026 counted 1,902 red-crowned cranes in Japan (primarily in Hokkaido).
The main threats to the species include:
Traditionally, they represent longevity, loyalty, marital happiness, and good fortune.
These birds are known to be monogamous: They often find one partner and mate for life. This may be why they symbolize loyalty in Asian cultures.
Cranes appear on the 1000-yen note and is featured in the logo of Japan Airlines.
Origami cranes are symbols of peace, and the folding of 1000 cranes is believed to grant wishes.
Aside from their red crowns, these cranes are often snow white, with black secondary feathers. Their young are also white, mixed with shades of brown or grey. Their beaks are deep green and sharp, useful for spearing their prey. Red-crowned cranes are often long and tall—some of the world’s largest cranes.
We are lucky to see them almost daily, sometimes even in front of our accommodation, as they are walking around nearby fields.
They are seen all throughout the year in this region in Hokkaido, and we were even lucky enough to see the babies turn into juveniles from March.
When a couple is together, they use their long windpipes to vocalize with a unison call, which strengthens their bond. They also mate by dancing, gracefully leaping into the air or even bouncing like a ball.
Red-crowned cranes are active and social. They also call and dance to warn each other to stay away, or even to play. During the day, they go out on their own, in pairs, or in groups. At night, they usually come together to roost. This is why they often live in colonies, or flocks.
If you wish to see the red-crowned cranes without other tourists blocking your view, stay at ENJ Farmstay.
Please know that as they are wild, we cannot guarantee you will see the birds, although there is a high possibility. But even if you won’t see them, you will definitely see our 3 goats and 10 ducks, that we are keeping on our property.
You may even see the goats outside your bedroom window!
Enjoy nature and soak in the private mineral-rich hot spring bath, making your skin silky smooth.
Together with the hosts, limited to 1 group per night, and 180 nights/year.
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