Izumi City is located on a fan-shaped alluvial plain of depositional landform. The land is primarily made up of gravel layers except for the pyroclastic (Shirasu) volcanic soil in one part of the plain. As a result, water streams become underground water that runs deep below the ground level and rise to the surface as spring water at the end of the fan-shaped plain. Such areas near the spring water have been the habitat for many wild birds, including cranes. The major industry is agriculture.

The Izumi Wintering Habitat of Cranes is a Ramsar Site known as an internationally important wintering site for endangered cranes. This area is mainly agricultural land (rice fields), which is classified as Class 1 agricultural land by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Its environment has been preserved as a wintering ground for cranes and other water birds, and the site has also become one of the best bird-watching sites in Japan for hosting many species of wild birds.

The Izumi Wintering Habitat of Cranes is designated as a Special Protection Area by the Ministry of the Environment, and 245.3 ha within the Ramsar Site is also designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan by the Ministry of Education, Culture Sports, Science, and Technology.

Recognizing the importance of the wetland, the city government incorporated conservation and wise use measures in its official plans:

・Izumi City Wise Use Plan
・Izumi City Comprehensive Plan
・Izumi City Environmental Conservation Plan

Izumi City also enforces local regulations (Wise Use Project) at the Izumi Wintering Habitat of Cranes during winter under its Wise Use Plan. The project aims for the sustainable conservation of wetlands and the prevention of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks. Visitors to the Izumi Wintering Habitat of Cranes are requested to:

・pay an Environmental Fee to enter the Ramsar Site,
・follow a certain route when driving within the area (entering the agricultural roads is prohibited), and
・have their vehicle’s tires disinfected before leaving the area.

The Environmental Fee will be used to enhance disinfectant measures against HPAI outbreaks and to conduct research on the wintering habitat of cranes for better conservation and management. Visitors can borrow cameras, lenses, and binoculars for free. Electric vehicles can also be rented for free.