Lake Furen

Lake Furen sits at the eastern tip of Hokkaido near Nemuro, and it's one of the better places in Japan to watch wild birds in a natural setting. The lake connects to the sea, creating a mix of saltwater and freshwater habitats that supports hundreds of species year-round, including white-tailed eagles in winter. A network of walking paths and cycling routes skirts the dunes and wetlands along the shore. The landscape is open and windy, with long sight lines over flat water. If you're not a dedicated birder, the drive through the surrounding countryside is still worth doing for the sheer emptiness of the scenery.