Hokkaido Village Buys Land to Block Solar Panels Near Red-Crowned Crane Habitat

Sep 12, 2025 | News On Japan

HOKKAIDO, Sep 12, 2025 (News On Japan) - Tsurui Village in eastern Hokkaido plans to purchase privately owned land to preserve the landscape around the habitat of the red-crowned crane, a government-designated Special Natural Monument, after a proposal emerged to install solar panels on the site.

The parcel under consideration lies about 1.5 kilometers southeast of the Otowa Bridge, a well-known spot for photographing cranes. The area forms the backdrop seen from the bridge, and according to people involved, an Osaka-based operator had at one point planned to place solar panels there.

To protect the view, the village is negotiating with the landowner to buy roughly 7.5 hectares outside the boundary of Kushiro-Shitsugen National Park, including talks over price.

The village says addressing the issue under existing non-binding ordinances would be difficult, and therefore it is pursuing a land purchase to maintain the scenery.

Source: 北海道ニュースUHB

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