The Izumi Crane Migration Area is located in Izumi City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Every year, approximately 10,000 cranes migrate here to spend the winter, arriving from northern regions between October and November and remaining until March of the following year.
Recognized for its international importance as a habitat for migratory birds, the area was designated a Special Natural Monument of Japan in 1952. In November 2021, it was also registered as a Ramsar Convention wetland. The Izumi Plain is one of Japan’s most important wintering grounds for cranes and offers visitors a remarkable opportunity to observe these magnificent birds in their natural environment.
From around mid-October through November, cranes arrive in the Izumi area, carried south by northerly and northwesterly winds. They spend the winter on the Izumi Plain until the following March.
The two main species are the Hooded Crane, with approximately 10,000 birds, and the White-naped Crane, with approximately 3,000 birds. Other species occasionally observed include the Common Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Sandhill Crane, and Siberian Crane. Visitors may also see other wild birds, such as the Common Pochard.
The sight of large numbers of cranes gathering across the plain and taking flight together is one of the area’s most impressive natural spectacles.
During winter, the cranes feed in rice paddies after the harvest and in fallow fields. Their natural food includes the second growth of rice plants, weeds, and insects.
In addition to their natural food sources, supplementary feeding is carried out to help protect agricultural crops from damage caused by the birds. From November through March, approximately 75 tonnes of wheat, brown rice, and soybeans are provided each year.
Shallow wetlands are also prepared as roosting areas where the cranes can rest safely in the water. These activities form part of a comprehensive conservation effort involving the local community.
After spending the winter in Izumi, the cranes begin their northward migration between February and March. They take advantage of northerly winds as they depart for their breeding grounds.
During this period, approximately eight tonnes of sardines are provided. The cranes rise high into the sky, sometimes circling as they gather before heading north.
Their breeding grounds include wetlands around Lake Baikal and along the Amur River. Besides Izumi, other wintering areas are found in Yamaguchi Prefecture in Japan, as well as in South Korea and China.
The number of cranes arriving in Izumi varies depending on weather conditions. Nevertheless, the area is particularly important internationally: approximately 90 percent of the world’s Hooded Cranes and around 50 percent of its White-naped Cranes spend the winter in Izumi each year.
The Izumi Plain has long been known as a place where cranes gather. During the Edo period, when the area was part of the Satsuma Domain, records already documented the arrival of large numbers of cranes. The earliest known record dates back to 1694.
At that time, the shogunate encouraged the protection of cranes, and the Satsuma Domain actively supported conservation efforts. However, following the Meiji Restoration, the traditional system of protection disappeared. Cranes increasingly became targets of hunting, and their numbers declined sharply.
In 1895, the enactment of hunting regulations brought renewed protection for cranes. Their numbers gradually recovered, and during the Taisho and Showa periods, facilities for observing the birds were developed. Horse-drawn carriages also operated to carry visitors around the area.
The construction of the Kagoshima Main Line railway presented another challenge for conservation. When the railway first opened in 1923, its planned route would have crossed the crane migration area. Ornithologist Seinosuke Uchida appealed for the birds’ protection, successfully persuading the authorities to change the route.
In 1952, the Izumi Crane Migration Area was designated a Special Natural Monument of Japan. Conservation activities continued, and in 1962 the Kagoshima Prefecture Crane Protection Association was established.
The following year, the number of cranes visiting the area exceeded 1,000. By 1992, more than 10,000 cranes were arriving, and the Izumi Plain became widely recognized as Japan’s largest crane wintering ground.
In November 2021, the Izumi Crane Migration Area was registered as Japan’s 53rd Ramsar Convention wetland. This international recognition highlighted the importance of the area as a habitat for migratory waterbirds and strengthened expectations for continued conservation.
At the same time, the risk of avian influenza outbreaks remains an important concern. Measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases have therefore been strengthened.
Izumi City is also an important poultry-producing area. An outbreak of avian influenza could consequently affect not only the cranes but also the local economy. Protecting the birds while preventing the spread of disease is an essential part of the area’s ongoing conservation work.
In June 2023, Izumi City signed an agreement with South Korea’s National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention. Under this agreement, the two sides cooperate in monitoring migratory birds, including Hooded Cranes.
By sharing information about avian influenza infections, the organizations can respond more quickly to potential outbreaks. International cooperation is expected to remain important for protecting migratory birds and managing infectious disease risks.
The Izumi Crane Migration Area is a place where visitors can witness one of Japan’s most impressive seasonal wildlife spectacles. From autumn through early spring, thousands of cranes gather across the plain, feeding, resting, and taking flight together.
Beyond its natural beauty, the area tells a story of centuries of interaction between people and wildlife. Its history of conservation, designation as a Special Natural Monument, and registration as a Ramsar wetland all reflect the importance of protecting this unique environment.
For visitors interested in birdwatching, nature, and wildlife conservation, a winter visit to Izumi offers a memorable opportunity to observe migratory cranes and learn about the efforts made to protect them.