Only one kilometer from my hotel in Kushiro, the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kushiro, is Lake Harutori. I would visit the nearby Kushiro Shitsugen National Park with its expansive wetlands and wildlife during my stay and my sojourn around the lake was an enjoyable precursor to that visit. After speaking with the affable and helpful front desk staff at the hotel regarding a good spot to see blossoming sakura (cherry blossoms), I headed out to enjoy my first afternoon in the port city.