Furen-ko and Shunkuni-tai. 08/11/05; Hokkaido; 6,139 ha; 43°18'N 145°21'E. NWPA. Furen-ko is a brackish lagoon, low moor and sea grass beds that used to be a part of the sea on the base of Nemuro peninsula at the northeastern tip of Japan. Among 13 rivers flowing into Furen-ko, the estuary of the Furen River has developed into a saltmarsh forming a vast landscape. Shunkuni-tai resembles a lid on Furen-ko lagoon consisting of 3 rows of ancient sand dunes covered by Sakhalin Spruce Picea glehnii forest. 280 species of birds were recorded in this site including globally endangered Grus Japonensis, Eurynorhynchus pygmeus, and rare White-tailed Sea Eagle, Steller's Eagle, Black Woodpecker and Blakiston's Fish Owl. Fishery, aquaculture, harvesting of clams and tourism are the main activities. Shunkuni-tai Wildbird Nature Center attracts 10,000 visitors annually. Various nature observation programmes are conducted by local NGOs and other organizations. Ramsar site no. 1542. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Hokkaido Prefecture