Kushiro, Japan (June 25)

Kushiro, a major fishing port on the eastern side of Hokkaido Japan’s northernmost island, is our last stop in Asia. In addition to fishing, the city is the gateway to vast marshlands, home to the elegant tancho or red-tailed crane, the symbol of long life. We had local soul food - a specially seasoned fried chicken dish called zangi and admired all manner of other foods, especially fish at the oldest market, Washo. Then wandered the wharf market called MOO, and it’s glass enclosed atrium next door called EGG. Since it was Sunday, the city seemed pretty sleepy, with the exception of a fair at the waterfront with some local entertainment (including girls on unicycles). On to Alaska after 4 days crossing the northern Pacific.