GOING SOLO IN JAPAN – 7 Swans in Sapporo – 2

GOING SOLO IN JAPAN – 7 Swans in Sapporo – 2 Last Updated: April 8, 2022

My visit to see swans in Sapporo was a surprise visit.

Usually, we visit Sapporo, in Hokkaido in October, as later it starts getting cold. But once we were there till early November.

Weekends were meant for outings. It was getting biting cold for us and the drizzle of snow had already started. So we were wondering what to do on a Sunday.

Our doctor host in Sapporo was very friendly. On almost every visit to Sapporo, he organized some interesting outings for us. So when he asked should I take you for an outing in my car we were very excited.

It was a most welcome suggestion.

He didn’t tell us where we were going and said he will pick up us around noon. He and his wife arrived with some fresh vegetables and fruits, which were very welcome. He also brought some extra warm clothes just in case for an outdoor walk.

After about an hour’s drive, we reached Lake Utonai located very close to New Chitose airport. Lots of migratory birds flock to lake Utonai but the main attraction is to seeing swans. I had read in Japanese Newspapers that migratory swans go as far south as Tokyo and are seen in rice fields. But we had no luck

IN JAPANESE SWANS ARE CALLED HAKUCHO.

Lake Utonai is a freshwater lake in the northeast part of a town called Tomakami. The perimeter of the lake is about 10 km and it is not so large. It has a beautiful wetland surrounding it. It was the first sight in Japan to be designated under the Ramsar convention in 1991. More than 260 kinds of waterfowl are seen here during the winter. Whooper swans and whistling swans are seen during winter.

The lake is known as “ Paradise for Wild Birds”.

There is an observation hut. Also tourists can go out and observe the birds without scaring them. The relationship between nature and people is just right and here we feel nature with all our senses.

Wooden paths are built on the north side of the shore of the lake and a natural stream is snaking its way across the field.

This place was a new discovery for us and we were very excited. The site of swans floating in the lake is unforgettable. We walked along wooden paths for a while but as it was getting cold we got into the hut. After a cup of coffee, we departed. We decided to come here again and again if the swans have arrived.

During this visit, I noticed that planes arriving at New Chitose Airport were zooming over this lake as they landed. So whenever we went to Hokkaido in the late fall season I would look out of the plane to see if Swans have arrived. This happened again in 2007. So I requested our friends to take us there. When we reached there the lake was full of so many swans and their newborn babies that are called cygnets were swimming near the shore. This experience was very exciting.

During this outing I noticed that flights arriving at New Chitose airport were flying very low over the lake. This airport is the hub of air travel to Hokkaido and is very busy.

On the way back I was wondering how birds are not disturbed by planes flying over.

For my future visits I decided that every time we are landing I will look out for swans.

Some years later we again went to Sapporo in early November I saw some swans from the plane.

We were determined to visit this place again. Getting to Tomokomai one needs a vehicle. Surprisingly it was one place difficult to access Lake Utonai unless you have a private vehicle. I spoke to our friends about going there and they said swans may not have migrated yet. When I mentioned that I saw a few from my flight as we were descending they started laughing. On making inquiry they confirmed that swans had arrived .

So on a Sunday when we reached, the lake was full of swans. Weather was very pleasant and we could linger around for a long time. It was a beautiful site to see so many swans with their babies right close to the edge of the water.