Utonai-ko Sanctuary / Wild Bird Society of Japan

Contact us

Wild Bird Society of Japan
Address: 3-9-23 Nishi-gotanda,
Shinagawa-ku,Tokyo 141-0031 Japan
Phone: 03-5436-2633
Fax: 03-5436-2635
URL: https://www.wbsj.org/
English Translation:
Asia Club, WBSJ volunteer Group,
ANDO keiko, FURUKAWA Setsu,
KANEKO Keiko, KASE Tomoko,
KIKUCHI Sayaka, SAKUMA Shunji and UENO Naohiro
Translating Editor:
Meenakshi NAGENDRAN

How to get here

It is convenient to come to the Nature Center either by car or bus.

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By Car

① From Sapporo and Shin-Chitose airport
  1. Proceed southwest on route 36 towards Tomakomai and Muroran.
  2. At 12km from the center of Chitose City, pass through the intersection to Shin-Chitose airport.
  3. About 4km from the intersection, you will find a traffic signal.
  4. Turn left at the traffic signal here. This is the entrance to "Utonai-ko Sanctuary". The road becomes narrow and turns unpaved.
  5. Proceed about 0.8km along this unpaved road, and you will arrive at the parking lot of the Sanctuary. A short walk of 5 minutes will take you to the Nature Center.
② From Muroran and Tomakomai
  1. Proceed east towards Sapporo and Chitose on route 36.
  2. About 12km from the center of Tomakomai City, you will find a guide sign of entrance to Higashi Tomakomai interchange on Chuo Hokkaido Highway.
  3. Cross under the "Hidaka Highway" and go straight for about 1km. You will see a large house on the right. This is a roadside station "Michi no Eki".
  4. Turn right at the first signal after going 1km from the "Michi no Eki". Here is the entrance to the Sanctuary.
  5. After proceeding 0.8km from the signal on unpaved road, you get to the parking lot of the Sanctuary. From here it takes 5 minutes to arrive at the Nature Center.

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By Bus

① From Shin-Chitose airport by Donan Bus

Take a bus for 'JR Tomakomai' station and get off at 'Nature Center Iriguchi (entrance)' bus stop. It takes about 15 minutes.→Timetable (PDF)
Walk to the Nature Center for 15 minutes, after turning to the left at the traffic signal.

② From JR Tomakomai station by Donan Bus

Take a bus for Shin-Chitose airport and get off at 'Nature Center Iriguchi'. It takes about 25 minutes. →Timetable (PDF)
Walk to the Nature Center for 15 minutes, after crossing the traffic signal.

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By Japan Railways (JR) train and Bus

① From JR Sapporo Station

Take a train of JR Chitose line from JR Sapporo station up to Shin-Chitose airport station （about 40 minutes by rapid train） and take a Donan bus for JR Tomakomai station from the airport and get off at 'Nature Center Iriguchi' bus stop. It takes about 15 minutes. →Timetable (PDF)
Walk to the nature center for 15 minutes, after turning to the left at the traffic light signal.

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By Ferry and Bus

① From Tomakomai West Port Ferry Terminal (Taiheiyo Ferry and MOL Co., Ltd. = Shosen Mitsui Ferry)

Take a bus from the ferry terminal and get off at JR Tomakomai station. It takes 20 minutes. Transfer to another Donan bus for Shin-Chitose airport and get off at 'Nature Center Iriguchi'. It takes about 25 minutes. →Timetable (PDF)
Walk to the nature center for 15 minutes, after turning to the right at the traffic signal.

② From Tomakomai East Port Ferry Terminal (Shin-Nihonkai Ferry)

Take a bus from the ferry terminal (for about 40 minutes) and get off at JR Tomakomai station. Transfer to a Donan bus for Shin-Chitose airport and get off at 'Nature Center Iriguchi'. It takes about 25 minutes. →Timetable (PDF)
Walk to the nature center for 15 minutes, after crossing the traffic signal.

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