<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nI was really excited to experience this because it is one of the places with the largest number of migratory cranes; as many as 10,000 overwinter in Izumi. <\/strong>Moreover, different types of cranes are living together,<\/strong> which is quite a strange phenomenon<\/strong> as normally they prefer to remain separate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Japanese Cranes <\/h2>\n\n\n\n In Izumi, there are four or five types of cranes that travel to this area for overwintering including the Hooded Crane <\/strong>(brown with a white head), the White Napped Crane<\/strong> (white neck and a red face) and the Sandhill Crane<\/strong>. These big birds – reaching 3 to 7 kg – live in Siberia, Russia, or northern China in the warmer months. Winter is so intense that they migrate to warmer places. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Symbolism of Cranes to Japan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Cranes are animals with surprising behaviors. They are always together with their families<\/strong>, consisting of three or four members. Their behavior symbolizes family unity for Japanese people<\/strong>. It is for that reason that the image of the crane is used in weddings and marriage, symbolizing a strong union. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCrane couples that mate during the winter time<\/strong>, return to their country together to incubate an egg<\/strong>. After being born in the spring and living six months through summer, the baby crane can already fly back to Izumi!<\/strong> These birds can grow 3 centimeters a day, so it is no wonder that they can reach a large enough size to make the flight. After their first winter, they separate from their parents to create their own families.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nA crane family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAdditionally, cranes are known for their long lifespans as they can reach between 20 to 30 years old<\/strong>. Have you ever asked why they fold crane origami<\/em> for the recovery of sick people<\/strong> in Japan? It is because these animals are symbols for a long and healthy life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\nStrings of crane origami wishing for the good health of the sick.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Conservation of Protected Areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n One thing you might be wondering is why Izumi City?<\/strong> Why did they choose this exact area to spend their winter vacations?<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs far as we know, these birds feel safe in marshy area<\/strong>s because at night they sleep by standing in the water, so as to be protected of predators. Long ago, the protected area was an ocean converted to a rice paddy, so they must have felt very safe here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Protecting the Cranes from People<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The crane winter migration in Izumi began in the middle of the Edo Period <\/strong>(beginning of the 17th Century) until the middle of the 19th century. From that time they were heavily hunted, so the population was sharply decreased. From 1921, a law was created that forbid the hunting of these animals. Their situation gradually improved up to 1952, when the area was recognized as a Special Natural Monument<\/strong>, and later, the creation of the Kagoshima Crane Conservation Committee<\/strong> in 1962, an association fighting for the crane conservation in the area further protected these animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Coexistence Between Humans and Cranes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n In 1962, the government decided to proclaim the 50-hectare rice fields as a protected area during the months of November to March<\/strong>. The fields are owned by farmers, so the government gives them a subsidy in exchange for leaving their fields untended during the winter months. <\/strong>Altogether there are two protected areas: the Arasaki area<\/strong>, where the Observation Center is located and the Higashi Kantaku area<\/strong>, one kilometer away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThus, the local Izumi government cares for all its inhabitants, including cranes. The Kagoshima Crane Conservation Committee<\/strong> carry out daily tasks, such as their feeding.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nEvery morning at 7 am during peak period, the conservation group brings huge 1.5 tons bags of grain and feed the cranes<\/strong>. By feeding them, they prevent the animals from invading neighboring fields and eating the entire crop of other farmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nBreakfast time… all the cranes are really attentive!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Observation Center \u2013 My experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n On the cold February morning of my visit, it was not very appealing to get up from the warm futon<\/em>. But cranes were waiting for me, so \u2026 good morning!<\/p>\n\n\n\nAt 7 am we arrived at the Observation Center<\/strong>. While I was getting out of the car I heard a curious sound that reminded me of people screaming at a concert. We climbed to the upper level of the observatory and\u2026 wonderful! So many wild birds in that area, more than 300 types, <\/strong>some on the ground, others flying, and most of them were cranes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\nThe sunrise was astonishing! <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n