Tsurui Northern Village Hotel Taito

This is the only large hotel that is close to the crane sanctuary and most guest who stay here are wildlife photographers. This is a simple hotel with about 10 plus rooms and a mix of western (with attached bath) n Japanese rooms (no attached bath). The breakfast n dinner served at the hotel restaurant is good and of great portion. Carpark is free and hotel sometimes get very busy because there are many walk-in guests who use the public bath. The hotel staff speak little English. It took me a while to get the reservation done thru another friend who speaks Japanese. Rooms are sometimes block out by big groups. Priority are given to their large tour agencies. Alternatively, you can stay in Kushiro and drive about 35mins to the crane sanctuary. There are much more choices in Kushiro. Just bear in mind you have to get up at 4am in winter to be on time for sunrise.