5 animals found only in Japan and where to see them

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Japan is well-known for its animal points of interest, significantly “Rabbit Island,” or Okunoshima, and a few “Cat Islands,” specifically Aoshima and Tashirojima. It’s arduous to beat the enchantment of being surrounded by cute cats and fluffy bunnies. However for animal lovers wishing to look at some native animals of their pure habitats, Japan has a lot extra to supply.

As an island nation, Japan is dwelling to many species that can’t be discovered exterior its dwelling islands. Moreover, although it’s sometimes seen as an city nation, Japan’s land is definitely 70% undeveloped, leaving ample habitat house for a lot of of its native creatures, significantly people who dwell in alpine areas. Conservation efforts have been applied for its extra weak animals, permitting some to thrive once more.

With that, listed here are 5 species you will discover solely in Japan and the place you may observe them of their pure habitats.

Japanese macaque

Japanese macaques are used to people however don’t get too shut. Photograph: PIXTA/ もっちー

If you happen to’ve seen the pictures of pink-faced monkeys frolicking within the snow or bathing in an onsen (sizzling spring), that’s the Japanese macaque. Colloquially often known as “snow monkeys,” they are often present in some significantly snowy locations. In actual fact, this species lives additional north and in a colder local weather than some other non-human primate. It is usually the one monkey species in Japan, so when Japanese folks use the phrase saru, that means monkey, they’ve these guys in thoughts.

Snow monkeys could be discovered all through Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu, however a couple of “monkey parks” are well-liked for seeing and interacting with these monkeys of their pure surroundings. Probably the most well-known is the Snow Monkey Park in Jigokudani, a pure sizzling spring in Nagano Prefecture. They arrive down from the mountains to take a heat bathtub in winter. There are additionally monkey parks in Arashiyama in Kyoto and Kanzaki close to Beppu in Oita Prefecture.

Snow Monkey Park

6845 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture – Map

en.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp

Arashiyama Monkey Park

61, Nakaoshitacho, Arashiyama, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto – Map

www.monkeypark.jp/eng-index.html

Takasakiyama Pure Zoological Backyard

3098-1 Kanzaki, Oita Prefecture – Map

www.takasakiyama.jp/en

Shima Enaga

Hokkaido’s cute little puffballs. Photograph: PIXTA/ Daikegoro

The lovely shima enaga is a subspecies of long-tailed tit discovered solely in Hokkaido. You may see all of them 12 months spherical in Hokkaido, however in chilly climate, they puff out their feathers to maintain heat, giving them their well-known spherical, snowball-like look. The enchantment of its cuteness has made it well-liked on social media and impressed plenty of merchandise.

Click on right here to learn extra.