Akkeshi-ko is a shallow, brackish lake, 5 km in circumference. Oysters and short-neck clams are predominantly cultivated here. When the tide has ebbed, the many dry beaches offer ideal feeding grounds for waterfowl. Because of this, Japanese Cranes are often seen nesting nearby and from autumn to spring the lake attracts many kinds of birds, such as whooper swans, white-tailed and Steller's sea eagles, along with more than 10 varieties of wild ducks and geese.

Bekanbeushi-shitsugen is a fen mire wetland covering 8,200 ha. Its main vegetation is made up of colonies of reeds and alders. In the middle reaches of the Bekanbeushi River spread high growths of sphagnums, around which is a 100-ha bog mire where alpine plants grow. This bog mire was discovered in 1989 and is considered an academically precious example of pristine nature, as it preserves unspoiled nature, from which we can learn how it grew out of the fen mire.

After the Akkeshi-ko and Bekanbeushi region was registered as a Ramsar site in 1993, the Akkeshi Waterfowl Observation Centre was established to function as the base in promoting information dissemination, academic research and monitoring for the purpose of preserving the wetlands, waterfowl and other flora and fauna in the area, as well as for promoting wise use of the wetlands. This two-story wooden building with 329.67 m2 of total floor space was built by the national government's Environment Agency at a cost of \206 million, and its management and administration is commissioned to Akkeshi Town. It opened in April 1995.

One of the main features of this facility is an all-weather remote-control camera. The camera has been set up on the summit of a hill 50 m above the sea, which is located about 800 m away from the Observation Centre and from where one can observe the everyday natural activities of the wetland stretching from the mouth of the Bekanbeushi River to Akkeshi-ko. Japanese Cranes nesting near the mouth of the river are monitored every day from inside the center. It is now also possible to obtain timely and accurate information on canoes in the area, the approach of which is thought to adversely affect the breeding habits of the crane, and prevent them from coming too near the nesting grounds. In addition, this camera can help prevent trains from hitting cranes by providing information to the appropriate authorities when cranes rest on the railways.

Town of Akkeshi

Akkeshi Waterfowl Observation Centre

Opening of "Yumegaoka Viewpoint" Kushiro Town is a unique municipality in Hokkaido, as it has both a national park and a prefectural natural park within its borders. As its name indicates, Kushiro Shitsugen National Park features the wetland itself. Akkeshi Prefectural Natural Park, meanwhile, boasts beautiful coastlines and forests. Although the features of the two parks differ greatly, they are similar in terms of tourism, as both of them boast beautiful scenery. Kushiro-shitsugen attracts visitors, especially from far away, with its spectacular landscape, which offers people images of prehistoric times. The view from Hosooka Marsh Viewpoint is especially worth seeing: the slowly flowing large river, sweeping reed fields offering views unusual to Japan, and the sight on a clear day of smoke rising from the volcanic mountains in the distance. Young people, who frequented the viewpoint before it was designated as a part of a national park, dubbed it a "Grand View." What a perfect name it was! Another viewpoint, not constructed as an attempt to play off the success of the first one, opened on May 1 this year. It took two years for the Hokkaido government to construct this newest viewpoint, upon request by Kushiro Town. Located at the end of a boardwalk 1.3 km from the middle of the boardwalk linking Takkobu Auto Campsite and Hosooka, the viewpoint commands a splendid view of the wetland, overlooking the naturally formed Takkobu-ko, the highlands, the meandering river, and the vast reed field. The railway and a single residence can also be seen, proof of the harmonious relationship between man and nature. We wonder what young people will call this newest "Yumegaoka Viewpoint." We hope the name will be one filled with dreams. Town of Kushiro

For further information, please contact: KIWC Bureau: c/o Kushiro Tourism & International Relations Center 3-3 Saiwai-cho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido 085 Japan Tel: +81-154-23-5547 Fax: +81-154-23-8041 E-mail: 18104314 @people. or. jp              Internet home page: http://www.marimo.or.jp/AREA/kiwc/