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 Capital city of Hokkaido in October, as later it starts getting cold. But once we were there in early November.

Weekends were meant for outings. But it being winter it was getting biting cold for us and the drizzle of snow had already started. So we were wondering how to spend this Sunday.

Our doctor host in Sapporo was a very friendly person. On almost every visit to Sapporo, he organised 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 the most welcome suggestion.

He didn’t tell us where he was taking us. Only thing he said that 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 for us was to see 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. This 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 the main atttractios during winter.

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

There is an observation hut especially useful in winter months. From here the 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. Seeing 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. This airport is the hub of air travel to Hokkaido and is very busy.

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. I requested our friends to take us there again. 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.