More About Kuroiwa's Ground Gecko- A Protected Species in Japan The video featured this time is called "It looks like a lizard but it's not?!" It was created by "Toranosuke's Creature Movies" and it shows a close up look at the Kuroiwa gecko, a protected species. Kuroiwa's ground gecko, also known as the Okinawan ground gecko, is a member of the Eublepharinae family (トカゲモドキ科, tokagemodokika) of geckos. These geckos belong to the order Squamata, suborder Sauria, infraorder Gekkota, family Eublepharinae and genus Goniurosaurus (爬虫類有鱗目トカゲ亜目ヤモリ下目トカゲモドキ科トカゲモドキ属, hachuurui yuurinmoku tokageamoku yamorikamoku tokagemodokika), as do the common leopard geckos (レオパードゲッコー, reopaadogekko) who are often kept as pets. The Eublepharinae family of geckos is a group of primitive geckos endemic to the island of Tokunoshima (徳之島) in Kagoshima prefecture (鹿児島県, kagoshimaken). They differ from other geckos in that they have eyelids, allowing them to close their eyes. Due to their underdeveloped feet, they cannot climb walls as well as other geckos. As with other geckos, if they lose their tail it can grow back again. An adult gecko is roughly 15-18cm in length, weighs roughly 7-17g and spawns in the warmer months from May to August. They usually lay 2 eggs at a time, in one month intervals. In this video, you will have the rare opportunity to observe Kuroiwa's ground geckos in the wild. Did you know such a cute creature inhabited Japan? Please take the time to enjoy our video! Japan's Effort to Protect This Endangered Species Photo：Kuroiwa ground gecko Kuroiwa's ground geckos live deep in the mountains and can’t be seen in Naha (那覇) or other big cities in Okinawa. Due to deforestation and loss of habitat, the number of Kuroiwa ground geckos has decreased in recent years. Kuroiwa's ground geckos are carnivorous, feeding on mainly insects and ground worms. Due to their nocturnal nature, you can't spot them during the daylight hours. They are often referred to as Jihab or Ashihab by Okinawan people, and in the past they were wrongly believed to be poisonous. The Kuroiwa ground geckos found in southern Okinawa (in the area surrounding Naha Airport) have a straight line pattern down their back, whereas the geckos found in northern Okinawa (in the mountainous regions) have slightly different markings. You can see this distinct straight line pattern clearly at 0:58 and 4:34 in the video. There are also subspecies of the Kuroiwa ground gecko found in Okinawa, each with their own unique and interesting markings. Due to their collectability as pets, in the past they were poached and sold at a high price by foreigners. In Japan they are designated as a protected species and therefore hunting and breeding of them is prohibited by law. Preventing the Overhunting of Japan's Protected Species According to the Washington Convention's rules regarding business transactions of wild animals, the illegal hunting of protected species is prohibited in Japan. Due to the rules of this treaty, endangered species in Japan are required to be actively protected. Since being designated as a protected species in Japan, two subspecies of Kuroiwa ground geckos: Goniurosaurus kuroiwae sengokui (ケラマトカゲモドキ, keramatokagemodoki) and Goniurosaurus kuroiwae toyamai (イヘヤトカゲモドキ, iheyatokagemodoki), have been added to the critically endangered list of reptiles by the Japanese Ministry for the Environment. However, that isn't the only problem threatening Kuroiwa ground geckos. Non-native species such as mongooses, dogs, cats and the American bullfrog are common predators of Kuroiwa's ground gecko and are contributing to their dwindling numbers. Summary of the Kuroiwa Ground Gecko Source :YouTube screenshot The protected species, Kuroiwa ground gecko, which is often amicably nicknamed the 'living dinosaur,' is a lizard rarely spotted in the wild in Okinawa but can be seen clearly in this video. At 1:48 in the video, you can see their movements in detail as one gecko moves slowly across the forest floor. Please enjoy watching the rare footage of this living fossil!

What is Zao Fox Village? This video, titled "Fox Village in Zao Japan! 蔵王きつね村・kitsune mura," was released by "Rachel & Jun." Located in Shiraishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, in Japan's Tohoku region, Zao Fox Village is a zoo/theme park where the artificial breeding of foxes is conducted, and the park is home to around 250 foxes of six different species. With more than 100 foxes free-ranging and a petting area where even children can safely interact with the various foxes, this is a popular new tourist destination in Miyagi Prefecture that attracts many tourists. A Closer Look at The Foxes of Zao Fox Village and Their Varieties Photo：Red fox Foxes are mammals that are widely distributed throughout Eurasia and the Americas. Let's take a look at the six types of foxes that you can interact with at Zao Fox Village in Miyagi Prefecture. ・Red Fox Generally speaking, when people think of foxes, they think of this type of fox. ・Arctic Fox This is a species of fox that lives in cold regions and has a beautiful pure white coat. ・Sakhalin Fox In Japan, Sakhalin foxes can be found in Hokkaido and became famous through the TV drama "Kita no Kuni Kara" (北の国から, From the Northern Country). ・Silver Fox The silver fox is known for its high-quality fur. However, it's a rare species that has been designated an endangered species due to overhunting and is now being protected. Photo：Platinum fox ・Platinum Fox The platinum fox is very similar to the arctic fox, but this one has a bicolored gray and white coat, making it a very cute fox. ・Japanese Red Fox A subspecies of the red fox that lives only in Japan. They are generally slightly smaller than the common red fox. ・Cross Fox It's a very rare fox, and at first glance it looks like a hyena or a raccoon. It is said to be a mutant species of the Ezo red fox. At Zao Fox Village in Miyagi Prefecture, there is also a veterinary hospital, and the premises are regularly disinfected and checked for insect/parasite eggs, so there's no need to worry about parasites (e.g., echinococcus) when playing with or feeding the foxes and kits. In this video, a tourist to Japan visits Zao Fox Village. At 0:38 in the video, you can see the foxes being pet and interacting with visitors. Winter Is the Best Time To Visit Zao Fox Village Photo：Arctic fox When it gets cold, foxes put on their fluffy winter coats. Also, some of the foxes kept in the park are originally from cold climates, so if you want to enjoy Zao Fox Village to the fullest, we recommend visiting during the winter! However, winters in Zao are quite harsh for people, so be sure to wear warm clothes! Overview of the Facilities at Zao Fox Village Photo：A goat at Zao Fox Village, Miyagi Prefecture The following facilities can be found at Zao Fox Village: ・A fox petting area ・A domestic animal petting area There are also rabbits, goats, ponies and other animals grazing in the park. ・A fox breeding area Be sure to follow precautions as the parent foxes that have just given birth can be quite skittish. ・A dining area ・A store: Souvenirs from Zao Fox Village can be purchased here. ・The Play-hub rest area: Here you can take a break while watching the natural scenery and the foxes at play. ・Inari Shrine: If there's one thing to remember about foxes in Japan it's their relation to Inari shrines. ・The woods More than 100 foxes live peacefully in a natural wooded environment. ・Parking lot: Parking available for ~100 cars. Summary of Zao Fox Village in Miyagi Prefecture Photo：A fox at Zao Fox Village, Miyagi Prefecture It’s said that foxes live everywhere in Japan, but wild foxes are very wary and rarely seen in daily life. However, if you visit Zao Fox Village, shown in the video, you'll have the chance to see six different species of foxes up close. The closest station to Zao Fox Village is JR Shiroishi Station. It takes about 21 minutes to reach Zao Fox Village by cab from the station. JR East also operates the regular sightseeing bus, "Miyagi Zao Fox Village." 【Official Website】Zao Fox Village http://zao-fox-village.com/en 【Tripadvisor】Miyagi Zao Fox Village https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1023408-d7388189-Reviews-Miyagi_Zao_Fox_Village-Shiroishi_Miyagi_Prefecture_Tohoku.html

Introducing the Cat Café Culture of Japan! This video is titled "Cat Café Nyaon PV" (猫カフェ 猫音（ニャオン）PV) and is a promotional video for Cat Café Nyaon, a cat café in Osaka. In Japan, there are cat cafes, where you can spend time playing with charming cats. At a cat café, you can feed a wide variety of cats and play with them with various toys. It is also fun to take photos of pretty cats climbing on the cat towers. They are very photogenic. Cat cafes are cafes where people drink and eat. As such, they serve you delicious food in a hygienic container with a lid as shown from 1:14. Friendly cats are allowed in the dining area, too. They come on top of the table and invite you to play. They are very cute. Enjoy the modern Japanese culture of cat cafes as shown in the video. What Are Japan's Cat Cafes? Photo：Cat cafe The origin of cat cafes goes back to Nekokaen, opened in Taiwan in 1998. In Japan, the first cat café opened in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture in Japan's Kansai region in 2004. The history of cat cafes is still very short, and it is a modern Japanese culture. However, there are many cat café fans who want to spend a fun time with cats. A movie called ‘Cat Café (猫カフェ Nekokafe)’ was released in 2018. It was a really hot topic at the time. Since the cats at the cat cafes are prone to stress, most cafes give them a regular health check. There are some cat cafes where you can meet pedigree cats, while others keep mixed breed or abandoned cats. There are also adoption cafes, too, where you can adopt a cat of your choice. If you want to get a cat in Japan, perhaps you can visit one of these places. About Cat Café Nyaon Source :YouTube screenshot Cat Café Nyaon shown in the video is in the Naniwa district of Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. As you approach the front door of the cat world, cat ornaments welcome you. This is shown from 0:07. Once in the café, you are in the world of cats. You are surrounded by cat-related items such as picture books and other cat-like objects. You can see the inside of the café from 0:27 in the video. You can spot other small cat fixtures throughout the video as well. How many can you spot? At Cat Café Nyao, six café cats entertain visitors. With these cute cats, you should be able to take photos perfect for Instagram. Let’s Go to a Cat Café! Photo：A napping cat In Kyoto, where many foreign tourists visit for sightseeing, there are cat cafes such as Tango in Saiin, that is easily accessed from Kyoto station. There is also Jiji in Uji, Mocha in Kawara Town, Gallery Cats Eye in Maruta Town and Marumari in Shugakuin. There are many more cat cafes in Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Akihabara in Tokyo. There are various cat cafes in Chiba Prefecture, Nara Prefecture and Fukuoka Prefecture in addition to Saitama Prefecture, Yokohama City, Nagoya City and Osaka City. Why not visit a cat café during your stay in Japan. Summary of Japan's Cat Cafes Source :YouTube screenshot As seen in the video, cat cafes are a part of Japanese culture. You can be surrounded by many kinds of cats and spend a relaxing time with them. The admission varies from one café to another. You pay around 1,000 yen per hour at most cat cafés for admission. Food and drinks that you order are charged separately. Please be aware that there are many rules for spending time with the animals. You can check the café ranking, recommendations and opening hours on the internet prior to your visit. We hope you find a fantastic cat café. ◆Cat Café ~ Nyaon ~ ◆ 【Address】3-7-24, Nihonbashi Higashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, 556-0025　Japan 【Access】1 minute-walk from Exit １－A5 of Ebisu Station on Subway Sakaisuji Line 【Admission】1,080 Yen～/60 minutes, 1,480 Yen～/90 minutes (drinks charged separately） 【Hours】Around 13:45～21:00 【Closures】Not regularly closed 【Parking】No 【Telephone No.】06-7503-5702 【Official Website】Cat Café ~ Nyaon ~ | A secret café for adults and cats http://nyaon.co.jp/ 【TripAdviser】Cat Café Nyaon https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g14127654-d9917477-Reviews-Neko_Cafe_Nyaon-Naniwa_Osaka_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html

Wild Yezo Sika Deer on the Notsuke Peninsula! In this video “Yezo Sika Deer on the Notsuke Peninsula（野付半島のエゾシカ）”, created by Shinji Kawamura, you can watch the wild Yezo sika deer, living in herds in the snow of the Notsuke Peninsula (野付半島, Notsuke Hanto), Hokkaido. The Yezo sika deer, which belong to the Cervidae family, is one of many subspecies of the sika deer (the Japanese deer), mainly living in the grasslands of Hokkaido. Its body is bigger than that of the Japanese deer; It is approximately 1.5 meters long and 1.1 meters high. As you can see in this video, the Yezo sika deer has large antlers, which are shed between April and May every year. Yezo sika deer are herbivorous animals, and they have unique high-pitched calls. The wild Yezo sika deer shown in this video are from herds living on the Notsuke Peninsula, Hokkaido. The Notsuke Peninsula is the biggest sand peninsula/sand spit in Japan; It is approximately 26 kilometers long, and located between Shiretoko Peninsula (知床半島, Shiretoko Hanto) and Nemuro Peninsula (根室半島, Nemuro Hanto). Many wild birds, animals, and insects live there. In December, when the grass dies, herds of Yezo sika deer move to their winter homes,- forests with more coniferous trees and less accumulated snow. From 0:55 in the video, you can see the Yezo sika deer living in herds in the snow. The Population of Wild Yezo Sika Deer Photo：Yezo Sika Deer The population of the Yezo sika deer once decreased dramatically due to hunting and deforestation in the early Meiji Period around 1868. However, after implementing measures to prohibit overhunting, the population has been increasing. Each deer eats a large amount of grass every day, so currently there are some problems regarding the damage of crops and forests, and the destruction of the environment. In addition, as its population has increased, more Yezo sika deer have been appearing in urban areas, which leads to problems of disruptive animals. From 1:33 in the video, you can hear sounds of cars driving in the background near a herd of Yezo sika deer. From the video, you can see that the Yezo sika deer lives very closely to humans. The "Yezo Deer Association" was founded in order to maintain a symbiotic relationship with the Yezo sika deer. Currently people take some measures to control the population of the Yezo sika deer, such as controlled hunting. The captured Yezo sika deer are used in venison dishes, for leather-working, deer fur products, antler products, and so on. Wild game meat dishes are very expensive in Europe, and venison is said to be healthy and has a unique flavor, so venison dishes are very popular. Venison is heated thoroughly and cooked into roasted meat or steak to avoid zoonotic diseases and food intoxication. Where to See the Wild Yezo Sika Deer Photo：Yezo Sika Deer on the Notsuke Peninsula The Notsuke Peninsula is an area where many wild animals have lived for a long time, even since the era of the Ainu (the native tribes of Hokkaido). It has multiple national forests and the Nationally Designated Special Wildlife Reserve. On the Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center, a hub for sightseeing, you can learn about the natural surroundings and the history of the Notsuke Peninsula. It also provides a wide range of tours, so you can join one of them and go around the Notsuke Peninsula. (The tours are a paid attraction and you must book ahead of time). We cannot guarantee that you can always see the Yezo sika deer as they are wild, but even if you cannot see the deer during the tour, you can still enjoy the wild of Hokkaido to your hearts content. Overview of the Yezo Sika Deer Introductory Video Source :YouTube screenshot The video we introduced this time showed Yezo sika deer living in herds in Hokkaido's wilderness. The video has many fun facts about the Yezo sika deer, such as characteristics of its antlers, the white furs of their hips, and its general habits, so be sure to take a look if you haven't yet! If you're looking to enjoy Japan's wilderness, look no further than Hokkaido! 【Official Website】Notsuke Peninsula Nature Center Hokkaido Betsukai http://notsuke.jp/ 【Official Website】Yezo Deer Association http://yezodeer.org/

The Oniyanma - Japan's Largest Dragonfly! This video, titled "Oniyanma (The Largest in Japan)" (オニヤンマ（日本最大）), introduces the oniyanma, a large dragonfly belonging to the Cordulegastridae family and Odonata order. The massive dragonfly has an abdominal length of 7 cm for males and 8 cm for female. Those that inhabit Hokkaido (北海道, Hokkaido), Yakushima Island (屋久島, Yakushima), etc., have a tendency to be smaller. Their eyes are a bright emerald green color, but change color when they are made into specimens. Their body is black with a yellow pattern and fine horizontal stripe at each section. They are compared with sieboldius albardae (ko-oniyanma), but these belong to the Gomphidae family, and are different from oniyanma in that their compound eyes are placed separately on both sides of their head, and their larvae are flat and disk-shaped and live on stones at the bottoms of rivers. Oniyanma - Distribution and Habits Photo：Oniyanma Oniyanma are widely distributed throughout Japan, mainly around streams, riverbanks, outskirts of forests and mountainous areas, but they can also be seen on the plains and in urban areas when it is cooler. International visitors may be surprised to find them in urban areas because of their very large area of activity. When you find a female oniyanma, you can catch it by taking advantage of its habit of stopping its movement and hovering. Male Oniyanma consider anything that flaps its wings to be female, so if you hold a fan or other wind-producing object in front of the male, it will stop moving. If you're a bug collector, you can use this as a reference when collecting! The Life Cycle of Oniyanma Photo：Oniyama Patrol Oniyanma are carnivorous, feeding on moths, flies, and other small flying insects. Their natural predators are birds, bats, etc. They can bite humans as well, so be careful. Male oniyanma mate with females they meet while patrolling their territory. After mating, the female will go to a clean river or puddle to lay her eggs. Upon finding a suitable location, oniyanma perform a unique spawning display in which they will drop to the surface of the water while standing up and flying. You can see a female oniyanma laying eggs at 0:30 in the video. They spawn by thrusting their ovipositor into the mud in the water. Photo：An oniyama hatching Eggs hatch about 1 month after being laid, and the larvae are called nymphs. Nymphs are a translucent white with no wings and a short abdomen. They burrow into the mud to lie in wait for food to pass. When they are young, they feed on water fleas, mosquito larvae, etc., but as they grow older they begin feeding on tadpoles, small fish, etc. In addition, they feed on each other as well as nymphs of other species and, as a result, only the strong survive. It takes five years for them to become adults, and they molt about ten times before reaching this stage. Eventually, compound eyes pop out and the mouth part of the molt becomes a unique face as if they were wearing masks. Eventually, scaly wings form on their backs, and on a sunny summer day, they climb up from the bottom of the water to a stone or pile on the surface of the water and their backs split open and they emerge as adults. Immediately after hatching, their wings are white and shrunken, but over night, the black and yellow pattern appears and the wings solidify. You can amazing footage of an oniyanma molting at 0:58 in the video. After emerging as adults, they continuously feed for about a month before mating. The total life span of an oniyanma is 5-6 years. Summary of Oniyanma- Japan's Largest Dragonfly Photo：An adult oniyanma emerging Did you enjoy learning about the oniyanma, the largest dragonfly in Japan? Footage of them laying eggs is quite rare, so if you still haven't yet, be sure to check it out!

Hornets V.S. Japanese Honey Bees This video is titled "Small Japanese Honeybees Unite to Repel an Invading Hornet｜Nat Geo" (スズメバチを撃退するニホンミツバチ | ナショジオ). The video is produced by "National Geographic." To repel the wasps, which are several times larger than they are, the Japanese honeybees use a special technique in which they cover the body of the wasp and quite literally cook it alive. Please enjoy the awesome footage shown in the video! Japanese Honey Bees Photo：A honey bee The Japanese honey bee is an insect of the order Hymenoptera and family Apidae. It is a living species that has been inhabiting Japan since ancient times. In addition to Japanese honey bees, there are other types of bees, including the dwarf honey bee and giant honey bee. These bees help pollinate flowers and grasses and make wax from the pollen in their nests in trees and under houses. The flower nectar has been processed and sold for a long time as products such as honey, propolis, and royal jelly. Most Japanese honeybees live in the wild, and those that are kept in captivity are released into the wild to collect pollen and take it back to their hives. The non-native honey bee species, the western honey bee, often helps with pollination in agriculture. Japanese honeybees live in large areas of Japan and can be seen all over Japan, excluding Hokkaido, Okinawa, and some remote islands. In addition to living in the mountains, they can also be found in urban areas, and although they are said to be endangered, the Japanese are very familiar with them. Also, unlike the hornet, the Japanese honeybee has a warm personality and is famous for not stinging people often. Combined with their cute appearance, they have a good reputation in foreign countries. You don't need a special license to keep them, and anyone can do so, provided they file the proper documents. Japanese Hornets. How They're Different From Honey Bees Photo：Adult hornets While Japanese honeybees feed on the nectar of flowers, adult hornets feed on nutrients secreted by their larvae. The larvae feed mainly on insects, and capture and feed on smaller insects such as honey bees in order to grow. These differences in feeding habits are due to differences in the body structure of the adult hornet. Adult hornets have a narrowing between their chest and abdomen, which prevents them from ingesting solids, such as insects. It's also very different in that the larvae of the Japanese honey bee makes honey, whereas the larvae of the wasp does not. Hornets V.S. Japanese Honey Bees - The Showdown Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see from the video at 0:13, hornets often attack honeybees to feed their young. In particular, the giant hornet is so ferocious that it invades the nest of bees and attacks not only adult bees but also larvae and pupae. The bee's response to such an attack is the killer heat ball that can be seen at 0:24 in the video. This takes advantage of the weakness of the hornets, as we all know bug types are weak to fire. The bees, rather than using their stingers, form up on the hornet, attaching themselves to it and creating a ball of bees. In the video, 500 Japanese honey bees can be seen covering the hornets. The internal temperature of the Japanese honeybee rises to 47.2° C (117° Fahrenheit), and the increase in carbon dioxide repels the hornets. Summary of Honey Bees V.S. Hornets Did you enjoy learning about the fierce war between honey bees and hornets? The amazing counter attack of the bees shows just how amazing nature is!

The Japanese Squirrel This video, titled "A Baby Squirrel in the Forest, Early in the Morning" (子リスの活動、早朝の森の中で), was created by "squirrelstail1." It contains footage of a baby Japanese squirrel in the wild. Squirrels at zoos are especially popular among children. Throughout this video you can see footage of the wild Japanese squirrel. You won't be able to take your eyes off of this adorable critter! Watching the quick and nimble movements of the Japanese squirrel is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. In this article, we'll introduce the Japanese squirrel, a squirrel native to Japan. Japanese Squirrel Facts Photo：Squirrel The Japanese squirrel is a member of the order Rodentia, family Sciuridae and genus Sciurus (齧歯目リス科リス属, gesshimokurisukarisuzoku), and is more commonly referred to as a rodent (齧歯類, gesshirui). It is called both Nihonrisu (ニホンリス) and Hondorisu (ホンドリス) in Japanese. An adult Japanese squirrel can grow to a height of 16-22 cm with a tail length of 13-17 cm and weight as much as 300g. The underbelly and tip of their tail is white in color and the fur on their body is known to change color depending on the season. Their summer coat is a reddish-brown color whereas their winter coat is more of a grayish-brown color. The Japanese squirrel's call sounds like "kyuukyuu" (キューキュー) in Japanese. You can buy squirrels at pet shops, and other pets, such as chipmunks, can be purchased for around 10,000 yen. They're relatively easy to care for making them a popular small pet. You can buy pellets or seeds to feed your pet squirrel at either a pet shop or home center. Photo：Manchurian walnuts The Japanese squirrel is mostly herbivorous. They like to feed on Manchurian walnuts (オニグルミ, onigurumi) and the seeds and fruits of Japanese larch (カラマツ, karamatsu), Japanese red pine (アカマツ, akamatsu) and Japanese white pine (ゴヨウマツ, goyoumatsu) trees. They are also known to occasionally eat insects and other small animals. They store food in pouches in their cheeks and take it back to their nest where they will then bury and store it underground. From 1:09 and 2:34 in the video, you can see adorable footage of a Japanese squirrel eating food it has found, using both of its tiny hands. Distribution and Habitat of the Japanese Squirrel Source :YouTube screenshot The Japanese squirrel lives in subalpine zones and woodland areas. They are diurnal animals who tend to be very active during the day and rest in the evening. They usually spend most of their time in a set area but may occasionally venture outside of that area to look for food. Japanese squirrels spend most of their time up in the tree tops where they build round nests. From 2:54 in the video, you can see a Japanese squirrel easily climb a tree. Wild Japanese squirrels do not hibernate in winter and have an average life span of 3 to 5 years. Japanese squirrels kept in captivity tend to have a slightly longer life span of around 5 to 7 years. How to Distinguish the Japanese Squirrel From Other Squirrels Photo：Japanese squirrel There are many species of squirrels, such as the Japanese squirrel, Hokkaido squirrel (エゾリス, ezorisu), Taiwanese squirrel (タイワンリス, taiwanrisu), Tamians, and chipmunks (シマリス, shimarisu) and red squirrels (キタリス, kitarisu). They all have their own unique characteristics, but the Japanese squirrel and Taiwanese squirrel are fairly hard to distinguish so we'll describe the differences between the two. The Japanese squirrel has a white border around its eyes which the Taiwanese squirrel doesn't have. In winter, the Japanese squirrel has a tuft of hair at the tip of its ears and a white underbelly; however, the Taiwanese squirrel's underbelly remains the same color as the rest of its body. The Taiwanese squirrel is a non-native species introduced to Japan and are known to be very aggressive in nature. Their increasing numbers, particularly in areas such as Kamakura (鎌倉), are becoming a problem. Summary of the Japanese Squirrel This video shown in this article contains footage of the Japanese squirrel. You won't be able to take your eyes off the cute Japanese squirrel as it plays in the forest early in the morning. If you love animals, be sure to check out the video!

The Bonin Flying Fox! This video, titled "Bonin Flying Fox" (オガサワラオオコウモリ), is an informational video that contains footage of the Bonin flying fox. It was posted by "Chichijima Polaris." The Bonin flying fox is an endangered species of bats whose only habitat is the Ogasawara Islands in Tokyo Prefecture. The video contains footage of the Bonin flying fox eating pandan fruit and moving around in the trees. From 0:41 in the video, you can hear the screeching cry of the Bonin flying fox. A Closer Look at the Bonin Flying Fox Photo：Sleeping Bonin fox The Bonin flying fox is a mammal belonging to the Pteropus genus, Pteropadidae family, Chiroptera order and Mammalia class. Its habitats are said to be limited to Chichijima Island (父島, Chichijima), Hahajima Island (母島, Hahajima), North Iwo Jima (北硫黄島, Kitaioto) and South Iwo Jima (南硫黄島, Minamioto). The Bonin flying fox is about 20-25 cm long with forearms that are about 13-15 cm long. It is a nocturnal herbivore, and is seen as a pest because it feeds on the citrus fruits and other such things on the island. However, the reason for this is actually a lack of food; it’s estimated that only about 100 of them currently exist. They were designated as a protected species in 1969 and began to be protected as a Domestically Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna in 2009. Where to Find a Bonin Flying Fox Photo：Bat The Bonin flying fox introduced in the video is very cute (granted it's a bat). On the Ogasawara Islands, there is a night tour where you can gaze at star-filled skies, something you can only find on a remote island! On this night tour, you can observe Bonin flying foxes as well as glow in the dark mushrooms and other natural scenery. The Bonin flying fox cannot be kept as a pet, as it is an endangered species, but you can keep bats as a pet depending on the species. If you're interested in bat-keeping and looking for a new friend, be sure to stop by a pet shop to gather information on them. Summary of the Bonin Flying Foxe Source :YouTube screenshot In this short, 2-minute video, there's plenty of footage of the cute Bonin flying fox. Be sure to watch the video to check out the cute little critter! The Bonin flying fox was previously put on a special stamp as part of a nature conservation series and is popular among stamp collectors. If you were captivated by the cuteness of the Bonin flying fox, keep your eyes peeled for these stamps or other bat-themed products!

Introducing the Minohiki! This video, titled "Minohiki (Protected Species) - An Ornamental Chicken in Danger of Extinction" (蓑曳鶏（みのひきどり 国指定天然記念物 ）～絶滅危機の観賞用ニワトリ～), introduces the Minohiki, a chicken bred for its beauty. The video was released by "Toyohashi Dot Television." The minohiki is characterized by its beautiful feathers, called minoge (saddle feathers), which grow from the center of its body. The origin of the name minohiki comes from the fact that the minoge grows to the point of dragging it on it on the ground (hiki meaning pull in Japanese). In this article, we'll introduce the minohiki in detail along with the video. What Kind of Chicken Is the Minohiki? Source :YouTube screenshot The Minohiki is a type of Japanese chicken that is said to have been bred during the mid Edo period (1700-1800s). It's a medium-sized pheasant, and is thought to be a cross between the long-tailed chicken, the shokoku chicken of China, and the game fowl of Thailand and is similar in build to the long-tailed chicken. It weighs approximately 2 kg. As shown at 1:35 in the video, the minohiki lays its eggs in the spring. There are several species of minohiki, including the Akazasa, Shojo, Shirafuji, Shiro, and Goshiki. Because the minohiki shed their feathers after summer, the best time to admire them is from spring to June. You can see a beautiful white minohiki at 2:24 in the video. On the Brink of Extinction? Source :YouTube screenshot The minohiki, a native Japanese species, was designated a protected species in 1940 (Showa 15). During the Showa Period (1926-1989), more than 1,500 chickens are said to have lived in the Mikawa region of Aichi Prefecture and the Enshu region of Shizuoka Prefecture. However, the number of bird lovers has declined and they are now on the verge of extinction. The Minohiki is difficult to raise individually, but you can see them at zoos and other places. Summary of the Minohiki Source :YouTube screenshot If you're interested in seeing the minohiki up close, consider dropping by The Toyama Family Park. The park currently raises minohiki. Japan is also home to many other unique types of chickens, such as Chabo (Japanese bantam), Shamo (game fowl), and Cochin. When you go to the zoo in Japan, be sure to keep an eye out for a variety of chicken species.

Introduction of Obihiro Zoo’s Japanese Raccoon Dogs! This video, “しぐさが可愛い！おびひろ動物園のタヌキが人気に” (Too cute! The Popular Raccon Dogs of Obihiro Zoo!), is an interview-style video first televised on HTB News. In the video, “buried raccoon dogs”, the adorable sight of raccoon dogs playing in the pool of fallen leaves prepared by the zoo’s staff, is shown. But just why are the raccoon dogs of Obihiro Zoo (おびひろ動物園, Obihiro dobutsuen) burying into the fallen leaves? In this article, we will introduce these animals along with a video of the adorable raccoon dogs peeking out from the fallen leaves. Obihiro Zoo's Raccoon Dogs Source :YouTube screenshot The raccoon dogs shown in the video are named An and Shiro. Originally, the zoo staff had hidden food in the fallen leaves. However, the raccoon dogs continued to bury themselves comfortably in the pool of leaves, as shown in the video, due to the warmth provided by it. The adorable sight of their faces peeking out from amongst the leaves can be seen from 0:25 in the video. This video of the raccoon dogs playing in the pool of leaves was posted on Twitter by zoo staff, and began to trend on social media sites. What Are Japanese Raccoon Dogs? Source :YouTube screenshot Japanese raccoon dogs are a member of the Canidae family, and are a Japanese subspecies of the Asian raccoon dog. They can be found in certain areas of Hokkaido. Japanese raccoon dogs grow to a length of about 50 centimeters and weight about 4 to 8 kilograms. Those living in the wild have a lifespan of 6 to 8 years. They are mostly nocturnal, and subsist on an omnivorous diet of fruits, insects, and meat. The ezo tanuki species of Hokkaido is said to be different from the hondo tanuki species found in other areas of Japan. Japanese raccoon dogs come under the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Act of Japan, and cannot be raised as pets without special permission. Let’s Visit the Zoo to See the Japanese Raccoon Dogs! Source :YouTube screenshot The raccoon dogs can be seen in Obihiro Zoo, as introduced in the video. However, as mentioned at 0:44 in the video, the zoo closes for a certain period of time during the winter season, so do make sure to confirm the opening days before visiting. In recent years, the “natural behavior display”, where visitors can observe the behavior of animals in their natural habitat, has become a popular display method in zoos. In Hokkaido, besides Obihiro Zoo, zoos such as the popular Asahiyama Zoo (旭山動物園, Asahiyama dobutsuen) and Sapporo City Maruyama Zoo (札幌市円山動物園, Sappro-shi maruyama dobutsuen) also make use of such displays. In the souvenir shop of the zoo, you can purchase adorable raccoon dog plush toys as well. Summary of Japanese Raccoon Dogs at Obihiro Zoo In this one-minute video, you can get a sense of just how adorable and charming the Japanese raccoon dogs are. As seen from 0:50 in the video, as the season begins to change to winter, the raccoon dogs’ fur grows out rapidly and becomes soft and fluffy. For those who want to view this adorable sight, definitely pay a visit to Obihiro Zoo in the winter. 【Official Website】Obihiro Zoo | Obihiro City Homepage Tokachi https://www.city.obihiro.hokkaido.jp/zoo/

Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise's Dolphin Show! This video is titled “A Dolphin Show to Enjoy at Home Long Version “Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise（おうちで楽しむイルカショー ロングver【横浜・八景島シーパラダイス】）.” It was uploaded by Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. You'll feel like you're at the aquarium just by watching this video. Check out the exciting footage of these adorable dolphins putting on an amazing performance! What Is Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise’s Dolphin Show? Source :YouTube screenshot At Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, you can watch shows involving various sea creatures. As you can see from 0:05 in the video, mascot Sea Para Seata appears and from 0:49 the show of penguins and dolphins begins. You can see a cool hawk from 1:00. When the dolphins jump in tandem with the music, the water splashes high into the air. This can be seen at 4:24 in the video. Be careful of sitting in the front row, you're bound to get splashed! There are other shows involving seals and walruses as well, so be sure to check them out if you're interested. We recommend booking a hotel so that you can enjoy a whole day at the aquarium. There's also a shopping mall, hotel, and a marina all inside Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. What Is Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise Like? Photo：Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise is a leisure facility, called "Sea Para" for short. The aquarium is at Aqua Zone and there are several sections, such as the Aqua Museum, Aqua Stadium Dolphin Fantasy, Sea Farm, and The Fureai Lagoon where you can pet some of the animals. The amusement park is at Pleasure Land and there are restaurants, souvenir shops and amusement zones. The magic show by Mr. Maric and the illumination event LIGHTIA were 2 very popular events. Summary of Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise Photo：Dolphin Watching a dolphin show is very exciting. If you haven't gotten your fill of dolphins, there's plenty to see in the video! Check out the website for tickets and get ready to visit Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise! There are quite a few seats at the dolphin show, but be aware that it can be crowded on weekends. ◆Information◆ 【Address】 Hakkeijima, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0006 【Access】 Hakkeijima Station Seaside Line. Bus available from Yokohama Station 【Aqua resort pass】 3,000 yen for adult and 1,800 yen for elementary to junior high school students (Depends on season/ Amusement park one day pass discount available) 【Closures】No holidays 【Parking】Available 【Phone number】045-788-8888 【Official Website】Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise http://www.seaparadise.co.jp/en/ 【Tripadvisor】Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298173-d1308703-Reviews-Yokohama_Hakkeijima_Sea_Paradise-Yokohama_Kanagawa_Prefecture_Kanto.html a

The Cute Akita Dogs of Japan This video, titled "Akita dogs - Loyal Japanese Dogs" (秋田犬 〜忠誠心に厚い日本の犬〜), is an introductory video that shares the charm of Akita dogs, famous for Shibuya Station’s Loyal Dog Hachiko. The video was produced by "JVT Channel." The Akita is a Japanese dog that has been designated a national natural treasure and is very familiar to the Japanese people. Loyal and gentle, the Akita is a popular dog in other countries as well. In this article, we'll take a look at the adorable Akita! The Akita Photo：Akita dog Akita, not to be confused with the prefecture of the same name, are a Japanese dog breed. Their gentle and loyal nature has made them a popular dog around the world. They have a lovely round face, triangular ears, and a curled-up tail. The Akita Dog comes in a variety of coat colors, such as brindle, but the most common color is red fawn. The red variety has a reddish-brown tinge around the forehead and on the back. They are sold at pet stores at prices ranging from 60,000 to 120,000 yen. It is the only large dog among the six types of dogs native to Japan and stands about 61-67 cm tall, with a life span of 10-13 years, which is the average for large dogs. Contrary to its larger size, their gentle characteristic are one of the main reasons for their popularity. You can see the features of the Akita dog at 0:07 in the video. The Akita dog's ancestors lived in the city of Odate, Akita Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of Japan. After dogfighting became popular in Japan, the Akita was crossed with the Tosa Inu and Mastiffs and became larger, which led to their current form today. Since they are large dogs, they need to be trained from when they are puppies and need to be walked regularly, as they were originally hunting dogs. The Charm of Akita Dogs - Obedient and Energetic Pets Photo：Akita Dog The charm of Akita dogs are their cute faces and gentle nature. There are several types of Japanese dogs, including the small Shiba Inu (dog), and the medium-sized Kishu inu, Shikoku inu, Hokkaido inu, and Kai inu, but among them, Akita dogs are considered the most loyal and gentle. At 0:47 in the video, you can see the bronze statue of Hachiko in front of Shibuya station in Tokyo, where he waited for his master every day, for nearly 10 years after his master had already passed away. His loyalty is still praised today. The original Akita dog was bred as the Akita Matagi (a hunting dog), but the number of Akita dogs has declined dramatically in recent years due to the growing popularity of small, easy-to-keep dogs and other indoor breeds. However, in recent years, the Akita has begun to attract attention again! There was a news that an Akita dog was sent as a gift to the Russian figure skater gold medalist Alina Zagitova, and she named it "Masaru." In addition to Zagitova, many foreigners have become fascinated by the Akita, and more and more people are adopting them as pets. Source :YouTube screenshot The city of Odate in Akita Prefecture, the birthplace of the Akita dog, is also working to promote the dog's appeal to a wider audience. They visit nursing homes and elementary schools to allow communities to interact with them. You can see this at 2:10 in the video. In Odate, you can also visit Akita Inu no Sato (Akita Dog Visitor Center) and interact with the dogs. Summary of the Cute and Gentle Akita Dogs Photo：Akita Dog The video, "Akita dogs - Loyal Japanese Dogs," produced by "JVT Channel" is an introductory video that shares the charm of Akita dogs. Although the number of Akita dogs is decreasing due to the popularity of small, easy-to-keep dogs, the Akita is by far the cutest and most loyal. They are loyal to their owners, and their gentle nature attracts many people. If you're a dog lover, this video is a must watch!

The Wild Birds of Japan! This 8 and half minute video titled "The Wild Birds of Japan- Video Compilation 2 (HD)" (日本の野鳥 動画集 2 (HD)), promotes the beautiful wild birds native to Japan. In this video you can see all different types of birds, from common species you might see around town, to rare species that you wouldn't normally get a chance to see. A Glimpse Into the Wild Bird of Japan Source :YouTube screenshot The wild birds shown in this video are as follows . The long-tailed bushtit​ [from 0:00 ], the great spotted woodpecker [from 0:18 ], the pygmy woodpecker [from 0:35 ], the varied tit [from 0:41 ], the little tern [from 1:01 ], the black-tailed gull [from 1:20 ], the coot [from 1:30 ], the whooper swan [from 1:45 ], the spot-billed duck [from 2:20 ], the Eurasian wigeon [from 2:32 ], the common pochard [from 2:51], the green pheasant [from 3:11], the black kite [from 3:31], the swallow [from 3:46], the little grebe [from 4:06], the white-bellied green pigeon [from 4:23], the Eurasian bullfinch [from 4:48], the reed bunting [from 4:54], the azure-winged magpie [from 5:13], the oriental greenfinch [from 5:24], the narcissus flycatcher [from 5:32], the Japanese white-eye [from 5:53], the great tit [from 6:14], the tree sparrow [from 6:29 ], the pale thrush [ from 7:06], the blue rock-thrush [from 7:12], the great cormorant [from 7:21], the grey heron [from 7:37], the common sandpiper [from 7:45], the large terek sandpiper [from 7:55], the far eastern curlew [from 8:04], and the black-winged stilt [from 8:14]. What Kinds of Wild Birds Are There? Source :YouTube screenshot The wild birds shown in this video are general species. Not just birds that live in the mountains of Japan, but waterfowl and sea birds also fit into this category. The wild birds living all across Japan are migratory birds. Birds that come to Japan in the spring and stay for the summer are called summer birds, and birds that come to Japan in autumn and stay for the winter are called winter birds. Wild birds which stray into Japan because of typhoons called "stray birds". And of course, the birds that stay in one place year round are referred to as non-migratory birds. Find the Wild Birds Shown in This Video! Photo：Dusky thrush Besides the wild birds shown in this video, there are many birds such as crows, chats, bull-headed shrike, and grey starling that inhabit Japan. You can enjoy a nice time bird watching and listening to their singing, or you can take some lovely photos of birds at feeding stations. When you go bird watching, we recommend wearing rain boots. Japan's Wild Birds Wrapped Up As you can see from this video, many wild birds live in Japan. You can find lovely birds not only in mountainous areas but also in towns. There is the "Wild Bird Society" that specifically observes Japan's wild birds. If you're interested in different species of birds or their ecology, you can participate in bird watching with the Wild Bird Society as well!

A Look at Wonderful Nature Village! This is a video titled "Wonderful Nature Village Promotional Video" (わんダフルネイチャーヴィレッジプロモーション映像), created by "Wonderful Nature Village." Wonderful Nature Village is an outdoor facility inside Akikawa Kyuryo, located next to Tokyo Summer Land in Akiruno, Tokyo. The expansive grounds include a dog run, as well as facilities such as a dog pool, hiking trails and a campground. Wonderful Nature Village is the perfect outdoor complex for those who want to spend a fun-filled day playing with their dogs. The Facilities at Wonderful Nature Park Source :YouTube screenshot The dog run at Wonderful Nature Village, one of the biggest dog runs in Tokyo, is incredibly popular. Not only does it have an all dog area, but also a medium and large dog area, a small dog area, and a covered area, so you and your pal can make all different kinds of friends. The dog pool featured at "Wonderful Point 6" at 3:24 in the video includes a dog beach and doggy pool where you and your pal can play with fountains and cascading water. At "Wonderful Point 1," shown at 0:25 in the video, features a pathway made of Oya stones that don't get hot on hot summer days. The Activities at Wonderful Nature Village Source :YouTube screenshot At Wonderful Nature Village there's a Lakeside Auto Camping Field and Hilltop Auto Camping Field where you can stay with your pet, a spot for canoeing/kayaking, sport fishing and regular fishing, and a kids' area where kids can play in the athletic areas for hours of fun. If you want to enjoy the seasonal scenery of Wonderful Nature Village, you can take your dog on the 2 km hiking trail featured at 2:23 in the video. You'll also find dog-friendly facilities such as dog stations, showers, and a poop box at the park. Enjoy a Wonderful Time at Wonderful Nature Village! Source :YouTube screenshot Shown at 3:46 in the video, Wonderful Nature Village also has BBQ pits where you can bring your own food and enjoy a delicious day of barbecuing! There is also the cafe/restaurant, AZEKIRI, where you can enjoy a menu that uses locally produced vegetables. The dishes made with locally grown ingredients from Tama are exquisite. There is also a souvenir shop in the park, so if you're interested in buying goods for your dog, be sure to stop by. Summary of Wonderful Nature Village Photo：Dog run Wonderful Nature Village has a lot of facilities for the whole family to enjoy. It has a good reputation and is a popular tourist spot in Tokyo. The reputation is really good and it is a popular sightseeing spot in Tokyo. You can enjoy the facilities even on rainy days, so you can play without worrying about the weather. If you're looking for some fun for you and your pup and/or family, be sure to drop by! ◆Information◆ 【Address】600 Shiraiwa, Kamiyotsuki, Akiruno, Tokyo 【Access】30 minutes bus ride from JR Hachioji Station 【Admission fee】850 yen for adults, 450 yen for children and 850 yen for dogs. (450 yen for 【second and after dog) 【Hours】10 am to 5 pm (depends on season) 【Closures】Every Thursdays 【Parking】Available. 700 spots (700 yen/car) 【Phone number】042-558-5861 【Official Website】Wonderful Nature Village! https://www.wnv.tokyo/

Japan's Owl Cafes! This video is titled "The First Owl Café in Nara- 'Watawata'" (奈良で初めてのフクロウカフェ【わたわた】). It introduces the owl café in Nara, called "Watawata." There aren’t many chances where you can interact with owls, but at Japan's owl cafes you can enjoy seeing owls up close and even petting them! Many tourists from overseas come to Japan's cat cafes, but if you're looking for a more unique experience we definitely recommend checking out an owl cafe! How Owl Cafes Work Source :YouTube screenshot Owl cafes are places where there are cute owls, such as horned owls and more. Customers can play with owls while eating and drinking, and you can even feed the owls as well! As you can see from 0:49 in the video, there are cafes where you can put the owls on your shoulder and play with them too. You can also take photos with the owls and post them on social media sites. You can see this at 0:51 in the video. About Owls Photo：Owl Owls are nocturnal birds of prey, belonging to the order Strigiformes. They are called "the professors of the forest" and "philosophers of the forest." Their size ranges from 50 to 62 centimeters in length and they weigh anywhere from 500 to 1,300 grams. Five species of owls exist in Japan: the Yezo Ural Owl, Tohoku Owl, Ural Owl, Moniyamae, and Kyushu Owl. The hooting of owls can sometimes be heard as far as several kilometers away. Summary of Japan's Owl Cafes Source :YouTube screenshot If you're looking to rid yourself of stress and enjoy time with an animal you wouldn't normally get to be up close to, be sure to visit one of the many owl cafes in Japan! If you like cute animals, you can also try visiting a parrot or hedgehog cafe as well! 【Tripadvisor】Wata Wata Owl Cafe https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298198-d9856696-Reviews-Wata_Wata_Owl_Cafe-Nara_Nara_Prefecture_Kinki.html

The White-Tailed Eagle of Hokkaido! The video "White-tailed eagle Akan Japanese Crane Center" introduced in this article, shows some white-tailed eagles living around Akan Lake (阿寒湖, Akan ko) in Kushiro, Hokkaido. The white-tailed eagle circling leisurely in the sky with its glistening white tail feathers outstretched is truly a majestic sight. Let's take a closer look at the white-tailed eagle, which, along with the Steller's sea eagle, is known as one of the largest eagles in the world, and learn more about its biology. The video also shows white-tailed eagles catching fish at the Akan International Crane Center. The White-Tailed Eagle Photo：A white tailed eagle from the side The white-tailed eagle is a member of accipitriformes order, accipitridae family, and Haliaeetus genus, and can be found in the northeastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. It is a protected species and is currently listed as a rare wildlife species in Japan, and is listed as an endangered species on the Red List of the Ministry of the Environment. White-tailed eagles are 70 to 98 centimeters in length, with a wing span of 180 to 240 centimeters, and weigh 3 to 7 kilograms. They have white plumage and a slightly muffled call. Young birds are covered entirely with brown feathers and have white spots, but the spots disappear with age. They are carnivorous and have an average lifespan of about 20 years. More About the White-Tailed Eagle Photo：White-tailed eagle There are approximately 1,700 white-tailed eagles wintering in Hokkaido. As shown in the video, white-tailed eagles can be seen living not only in the Akan area, but also in Sapporo City. In rare cases, they also fly from northern Honshu to the Chubu and Kyushu regions. The Akan International Crane Center Gloss, introduced in the video, is a facility that provides information on a variety of wild birds, including the Japanese crane, which is shown at 0:44 in the video, and we definitely recommend giving it a visit. It's also well known among aviation fans that the JASDF's Phantom aircraft had a white-tailed eagle pattern painted on its vertical stabilizer. In the video, the white-tailed eagle is seen flying in a circle over the heads of the Japanese cranes, but it's actually aiming at its prey, and at 2:00 in the video, it finally goes after it. This is the highlight of the video, so be sure to check it out! Another white-tailed eagle appears with the white-tailed eagle that the camera had been following, and in a moment, grabs the catch of the first one with its feet and flies away. This can be seen in slow-mo at 2:25 in the video. Summary of Hokkaido's White-Tailed Eagle Photo：A Steller's sea eagle and a white-tailed eagle In this article, we introduced a fascinating bird you can find in Hokkaido, the white-tailed eagle. If you want to see the beautiful white-tailed eagles shown in this video, why not plan a bird-watching trip to Hokkaido? If your trip to Hokkaido is for white-tailed eagles, you can also purchase white-tailed eagle caramel cookies made by Nemuro cafe as a souvenir. ◆Akan International Crane Center General Information◆ 【Address】40 Akancho Kamiakan, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0245 【Access】25 minutes by bus from Kushiro Airport 【Admission fee】Adults (high school students and older) 480 yen, elementary and junior high school students 250 yen (*as of December 2019) 【Hours] 】9:00～17:00 【Closures】None 【Parking】Available 【Telephone】0154-66-4011 【Official Website】Akan International Crane Center-Wix.com https://aiccgrus.wixsite.com/aiccgrus/english-page

The Rare Oriental White Stork at Hyogo Park! This video, titled "Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork," released by "ibukivideo," shows rare footage of the Oriental Stork. Japan was once home to wild Oriental storks; however, they disappeared from the skies of Japan in 1971... The last habitat of the Oriental stork in Japan is Hyogo Prefecture's Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork, which can be seen at 0:44 in the video. Here, the public and private sectors work together on stork research projects. The Oriental stork is also designated as the prefectural bird of Hyogo Prefecture. In this article, we''ll take a look at Hyogo Prefecture's efforts to breed the Oriental stork. Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork Source :YouTube screenshot Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork is a research facility for storks located in Shounji, Toyooka, Hyogo prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. You can learn about the research on Oriental storks at the Kounotori Stork Sanctuary which is attached to Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork and can be seen at 1:11 in the video. Be sure to stop by the nature observation and learning zone where you can observe the ecology of storks, and "Kounotori Honpo," a Toyooka City Community Exchange Center where you can purchase stork related merchandise. In addition, there are also research facilities that breed storks, such as the Nature Acclimation Zone, the Stork Conservation and Propagation Center, and the Nature Zone. About the Oriental Stork - Ecology and Feeding Habits Photo：An oriental stork eating fish The Oriental stork is an endangered species of bird in the family Ciconiidae, order Ciconiiformes, and genus Ciconia and is an internationally valuable bird. They are distributed throughout Asia, measuring 110 cm in length, weighing between 3 and 5 kg, and are characterized by their appearance similar to that of a crane. There are many folklore stories about storks bringing babies into the world. In Japan, the storks once lived in the rice paddies and rivers of the mountains and woodlands. As you can see at 2:35 in the video, their nests are approximately 1 metre wide. Their diet consists of fish and insects. Adult storks do not have a well-developed vocal system, so they cannot be heard except when they are chicks. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), the number of storks in Japan was drastically reduced due to over-hunting, and besides a few protected individuals in the Tajima area of Hyogo Prefecture and the Wakasa area of Fukui Prefecture, they were hunted to extinction. In 1908, a ban on hunting the Oriental stork was put in place, and its habitat was designated as a national natural monument in 1921. The lifespan of the stork is said to be over 30 years; however, it is not yet known how long they live for in the wild. Summary of the Oriental White Stork Photo：The Oriental White Stork At Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork, a project is underway to help storks return to the skies of Japan. In 2005, a test release of storks was carried out in order to reintroduce them into the wild, and in 2007, they succeeded in breeding wild storks in the field. Now roughly 80 storks have returned to the skies. In addition to the storks bred at Hyogo Park of Oriental White Stork, Osaka Tennoji Zoo and the Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Park in Aichi have also succeeded in breeding storks. If this article has piqued your interest in the Oriental stork, be sure to visit Hyogo Park of Oriental White Stork to learn all about the beautiful bird! ◆Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork Facility Overview ◆ 【Address】128 Nigatani, Shounji, Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture 668-0814 【Access】A 40 minute walk from the Kyoto Tanetsu Railway "Konotori no Sato" Station 【Hours】9:00～17:00 【Admission Fee】None 【Parking】Free parking available 【Telephone】0796-23-5666 【Official Website】Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork http://www.stork.u-hyogo.ac.jp/ 【Tripadvisor】Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1022822-d1384701-Reviews-Hyogo_Park_of_the_Oriental_White_Stork-Toyooka_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html

White-tailed Eagles in the Nemuro Strait of Hokkaido, Japan: Video Introduction This video, titled "White-tailed Eagles" (オジロワシ), was uploaded by "Gaiapress Channel." Along with footage of white-tailed eagles living in Hokkaido, it provides detailed explanations of their ecosystem. It's a great opportunity for those interested in nature and the birds of Hokkaido to learn more about the area. Be sure to read on to learn more. The White-tailed Eagle Photo：A white-tailed eagle The white-tailed eagle is a bird belonging to the Accipitridae family and the Pandionidae genus. It lives near coastlines, rivers, and lakes, and is often found alone or in pairs. It is a carnivore and feeds on fish, birds, mammals, animal carcasses, young hares, and quail chicks. [Video] 0:12 - The White-tailed Eagle The white-tailed eagles’ size ranges from 80cm for males to 94cm for females, with a wingspan of 180-220cm. They have a distinct call, with males making a "gri-gri-gri" sound and the females a "gra-gra-gra-gra" sound. White-tailed eagles that breed in northern Eurasia migrate to areas around China and the Persian Gulf for the winter. In recent years their breeding rate has decreased, and they have been designated as a domestic endangered wild animal species, as well as a protected species since 1970. The Habitat of White-Tailed Eagles and Where to See Them in Japan Photo：A white-tailed eagle catching a fish On the Nemuro Peninsula, located between the Shiretoko Peninsula and Kunashir Island, you can see drift ice that has drifted southward from the Amur River. In the video, you can see white-tailed eagles on the drift ice as well. [Video] 0:27 - White-tailed Eagles on Drift Ice The natural habitat of white-tailed eagles is Eurasia, Europe and East and West Asia. In Japan, they mostly migrate to northern Japan, and in Hokkaido, they breed in small numbers. It takes 6-7 years for white-tailed eagles to become fully mature birds. When they are young, they have brown tail feathers, but when they become adults, their tail feathers turn white and their beaks turn yellow. Feeding Habits of Japanese White-Tailed Eagles In the video, you can see white-tailed eagles congregating, targeting fish lurking under the sea ice. The Nemuro Strait is home to a thriving pollock population, and white-tailed eagles gather there to take advantage of the abundant supply of pollock. [Video] 2:07 - A White-Tailed Eagle Stalking a Walleye Pollack Birds of the hawk family that feed primarily on fish are called sea eagles. White-tailed and Steller's sea eagles are typical examples of sea eagles, and salmon and cod are their favorite catch. You can see them preying on them in the video. [Video] 2:43 - A White-Tailed Eagle Feeding White-tailed Eagles and Steller's Sea Eagles Occupying the Nemuro Peninsula On the Nemuro Peninsula, coastal areas where fishing is carried out are inhabited by crows and seagulls, but about 6 miles offshore, there are birds of prey such as white-tailed eagles and eagles. White-tailed eagles occupy and settle down in favorable locations, such as high places with good visibility or suitable winds in snowy weather. A Group of White-Tailed Eagles Flying Above a Nest Photo：A white-tailed eagle flying through the skies In the video, you can see a group of white-tailed eagles gathering in the mountains. Their nest is located in a place far from the sea. [Video] 4:25 - White-tailed Eagles Gathering in the Mountains "Kettle" is the word used to describe a group of eagles or hawks rising together like a thermal updraft and flying into the sky. In the case of white-tailed eagles, they also form "kettles" regardless of migration. One of the characteristics of white-tailed eagles is that multiple adult birds can be found perching on one tree. [Video] 4:49 - A Kettle of White-tailed Eagles Facts About White-tailed Eagles and Their Vision The video also talks about the white-tailed eagle's vision. White-tailed eagles are known for their narrow upward sight, and it's believed that their eyes do not work in situations with little contrast, such as snowstorms. [Video] 6:05 - Regarding the Sight of White-tailed Eagles White-tailed eagles are also known to fatally crash into wind turbines. Most accidents involve hitting a wind turbine from above, which seems to be related to the narrowness of their visual field. Such accidents are commonly known as "bird strikes." Difference Between White-tailed Eagles and Steller's Sea Eagles Photo：Stellar's sea eagles eyeing fish from above the drift ice The bird with white shoulders is the Steller's sea eagle, and the bird that looks brownish all over is the white-tailed eagle. Both are large birds of prey that have wingspans over 2 meters when fully spread. If you visit the Nemuro Peninsula for sightseeing, you'll now be able to tell the difference with this information! [Video] 0:51 - White-tailed Eagles and Stellar's Sea Eagles White-tailed eagles, have many similarities to Stellar's sea eagles, such as not being susceptible to avian influenza. However, there are differences in minor details, such as the fact that they move in flocks and have gentle personalities. Summary of White-tailed Eagles Hokkaido, where this video was shot, is home to a variety of wildlife and plants. On the Nemuro Peninsula, in addition to white-tailed eagles and Stellar's sea eagles, there are also tours for bird watching. You can see wild birds such as the red-crowned crane, the red-flanked bluetail, and the hazel grouse. Take a trip to the wilderness of Hokkaido and enjoy bird watching in winter!

This video, titled "I Found 5 Stag Beetles! MAX EXCITEMENT!" (まさかのオオクワガタ5匹GET！テンションMAX), was released by "Yamame CHANNEL" (やまめCHANNEL). The giant stag beetle is one of the largest stag beetles inhabiting Japan. It lives in the deep woods in tree hollows, as introduced in the video. They range from 2 to 7 centimeters in length, but larger ones over 9 centimeters have been found in some cases. Many children are interested in these insects in the wild, and often go out to catch them with their nets and cages. Keeping stag beetles is also a fun hobby for adults. In Japan, some people make a living by capturing and selling stag beetles like the one in the video and selling them to collectors.

This video, titled "[Once in a Lifetime Miracle] Click Here to See a Fight to the Death With a Massive Fish! (Ishigaki, Night 3)" (【生涯一本の奇跡】超巨大魚との死闘の記録はこちら（石垣第3夜）), was released by "Monkfish Hours" (あんこうアワーズ). This is a 22 minute video showing a fight to the death while trying to land a massive fish! The fish caught was a 165 cm long, 83 kg giant grouper, which broke the record in Okinawa. The video will have you on the edge of your seat as they try to land this behemoth of a fish!

This video, titled "A Rare Shrew Found Its Way Into a Garden! After a Few Snacks He's Back to the Bushes!" (庭にいたトガリネズミにメダカのエサをやりました), was released by "pxh01252." This video captures a shrew in the wild! The shrew is not a mouse, but a member of the mole family, and is said to be the smallest mammal in the world. The shrew that lives in Hokkaido is listed as an endangered species on the Red List of the Ministry of the Environment. They are small, at only about 2 cm in length (their tail is about 3 cm), and you can easily understand how small they are when compared to the clover in the video. They look adorable as they eat, moving their narrow, pointy snout around like a cute character in a picture book. There are many things about shrews that we don't know about, so take this chance to see what they're like!

This video, titled "It Doesn't Seem Wild at All! a Wild Raccoon Dog That Loves Humans" (とても野生とは思えない！人間大好きな野生のタヌキ), was released by "Wild Birds Izumi" (野鳥いずみ). This video shows a wild raccoon dog that loves people. Although raccoon dogs can be seen in all areas of Japan, they are rarely seen by humans and are only rarely seen in areas near mountains and fields. Also, they are often disliked by humans as vermin, so they tend to keep away from people. However, in this video, the raccoon dog can be seen proudly walking in the middle of the roadway and coming closer to the photographer. It's rare footage that allows you to see Japan's raccoon dogs up close and personal, and it's also a useful way to observe its face and limbs.

Introducing this video of Okunoshima This video, titled "Okunoshima, AKA 'Rabbit Island,' in the Seto Inland Sea" (瀬戸内海の「うさぎ島」大久野島), was created by "AQUA Geo Graphic." The video shows scenes of Okunoshima, an island in Takehara City, Hiroshima, in Japan's Chugoku region. Adorable rabbits fill the screen, hopping around freely and you can enjoy their cuteness to your heart's content. More than 900 rabbits currently inhabit Okunoshima, and in recent years, the island has been attracting attention as a tourist area, with many visitors from both Japan and abroad. Why is Okunoshima known as "Rabbit Island"? Photo：Rabbits on Ohkuno Island, Takehara, Hiroshima You're probably wondering, "Are there really that many rabbits on the island"? Originally there were only 8 rabbits on the island. They were raised at a local elementary school in 1971. Over time, the island was deserted, and the rabbits were released to live in the wild. The rabbits belong to the European rabbit species, and are so fertile that they have actually been designated one of the 100 worst invasive alien species in the world. After being released into the wild, they multiplied rapidly, leading to a massive rabbit population in just a short amount of time. The trading of European rabbits is currently strictly regulated and Okunoshima is one of the few places in Japan where these wild rabbits can be seen. In fact, Okunoshima became a hot topic overseas before it gained attention in Japan. A foreign tourist who visited the island for sightseeing posted a video playing with the rabbits, and the video gained a lot of attention online. In addition, it just so happens that in 2011, it was the zodiac year of the rabbit and Japanese media introduced the island as "Rabbit Island" and that became the reason for the island's rise in popularity. A Look at Okunoshima Photo：Okunoshima, Takehara, Hiroshima Okunoshima is a small island with a circumference of about 4 km. You can make a full trip around the entire island on foot or on bicycle, and driving is prohibited. Additionally, be sure to follow the island's rules when interacting with the rabbits. Rabbits are anxious animals and are very sensitive to sound. Although the rabbits living on the island are wild, they are very friendly towards humans due to having become used to being fed by hand. This can be seen from 0:44 in the video. Unfortunately, the sounds of engines, braking, and honking are frightening and confusing to the rabbits. Furthermore, if you attempt to forcibly pick up or touch the rabbits, they may bite in self-defense, causing injury. Their bites are quite strong, so be careful! There are devices installed along the coastline which visitors can use to find out what the world sounds like to rabbits. This will show you why it's important to be careful around the rabbits. Okunoshima was temporarily uninhabited during World War II, but now almost the entire island has been designated a tourist destination. The land is owned by the Ministry of the Environment, with the Kyukamura Association being in charge of the daily operations of "Kyukamura Okunoshima Hotel". In other words, most of the current inhabitants of the island are the employees of the hotel and their families. The History of Okunoshima Photo：Ruins on Okunoshima, Takehara, Hiroshima Okunoshima Island is now a place visited by many tourists who come to play with the adorable rabbits. However, during the early Showa Period, it was actually home to Japan's only poison gas factory, built by the Imperial Japanese Army. Additionally, it was originally meant to host a factory for building warships. This dark history led to the island being erased from maps for many years. There were a few private houses on the island, but the original islanders were forced out of their homes in order to build the poison gas factory. The history of that time is recorded in the Poison Gas Museum (毒ガス資料館). Summary of Okunoshima Island Photo：Okunoshima Wharf, Takehara, Hiroshima The island can be accessed via the ferry that departs from the Mihara area (三原地域). There is no plane access to the island. A trip by ferry takes only about 15 minutes, which means you can enjoy taking a day trip to see the rabbits on the island. The main facilities of the Kyukamura Hotel are as follows: ・ Tennis field ・ Fishing area ・ Beach ・ Outdoor pool ・ Camping site and more! You can also enjoy lunch at the restaurant. Detailed information can be found on the official website of the Okunoshima Visitor Center. 【Official Website】Okunoshima｜Tourist Area｜Takehara City Official Tourism Site Hiroshima Takehara Tourism Navigation https://www.takeharakankou.jp/en/ 【Tripadvisor】Okunoshima https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1022436-d3243254-Reviews-Okunoshima_Island-Takehara_Hiroshima_Prefecture_Chugoku.html

Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden: Video Introduction This video, titled "Monkeys in the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden Hot Springs" (函館市熱帯植物園温泉の猿たち), was uploaded by "HOKKAIDO FAN MAGAZINE." The Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Hokkaido is home to a number of monkeys that can be seen enjoying hot springs during the winter months in Hokkaido. The Japanese macaques coming to the hot springs to seek warmth has become a signature sight of the winter season in Hakodate. At the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, visitors can see the monkeys cheerfully running around the enclosure, or happily soaking in the hot spring water. It's a popular sight on Japanese Instagram. Be sure to check out the video of the happy monkeys and their cute expressions as they soak in the hot springs before reading along! More About Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Yunokawa Onsen Photo：Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden Yunokawa Onsen is conveniently located near Hakodate Airport in Hakodate, Hokkaido. Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden is located along the coast overlooking the Tsugaru Straits from the hot spring resort. In the greenhouses of the garden, visitors can enjoy rare flowers and plants that bloom in the everlasting summer in the tropics. There are approximately 300 species and 3,000 tropical plants, including ice cream trees, breadfruit, bougainvillea, hibiscus, etc. It's a popular spot where tourists can feel like they're in the tropics despite being in the cold of Hokkaido. From the observatory in the center of the greenhouse, visitors can look down on the unique tropical plants, and observe parakeets, beetles, and a variety of other creatures, including a crocodile (stuffed of course). In addition, the Japanese monkeys outside of Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, which can be visited all year round, are the most popular attraction in the garden. In the front garden, visitors can enjoy the flowers of Japan's four seasons, and small children can play on the playground equipment. The park is also equipped with footbath facilities, so adults can also enjoy themselves in a way that only a hot spring can offer. It's great for warming up on a cold day! Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden is a popular destination not only for tourists but also for local families. Prices are 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students and 300 yen for adults, with a 20% discount for groups of 20 or more. Preschool children and students and children who attend school in Hakodate or live in the city but go to school outside the city are admitted free of charge. Cute Monkeys in Hot Springs at Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden in Winter Photo：The monkey hot springs at Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden Have you ever seen the famous footage of Japanese monkeys bathing in hot springs? Seeing them look so comfortable, as they relax in the hot springs just like humans would makes for a memorable sight. The approximately 90 monkeys at Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden have become famous for bathing in hot springs, and many tourists now come to see them enjoying the baths. The history of these monkey hot springs dates back to 1970. It all started when 20 Japanese monkeys were brought here to entertain guests. The current monkeys are the descendants of the boss, Kantaro, and his wife, Tomoe, who were brought in from Honshu (mainland Japan) at that time. If you're visiting Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, you'll definitely want to check out the monkeys soaking in the hot springs. They say that the less hair a monkey has, the longer it's been bathing in the hot springs. Visitors can also buy food to feed the monkeys. The monkeys are also good at doing puppy-dog-eyes and while the beg you for food. The monkeys are also really photogenic, so be sure to being a camera for some nice Instagram shots. Summer at Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden! Photo：A banana tree at Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden, Hakodate During the summer, Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden holds an event called the Tropical Botanical Garden Summer Festival. There are water exciting activities, such as underwater tug-of-war, and concession stands are set up as well. There will also be hula dancers and Hawaiian bands performing, adding to the tropical atmosphere. (※Not held in recent years due to the coronavirus pandemic). In the greenhouse, visitors can also enjoy banana trees and summer flowers blooming in the flower beds. "Water Square" by the greenhouse is a popular place for children to splash about during the hot summer months. It's a place filled with cheerful laughter! Even in summer, you can watch the monkeys and feed them at the monkey hot springs. Be it winter or summer, Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden is fun in every season! Summary of Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden If you haven't seen the cute monkeys bathing in the hot springs with bright red faces yet, be sure to check it out in the video. The monkey hot springs are a famous winter attraction at Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden. The monkeys enjoying the hot springs just like humans is a n adorable sight. Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden is located inside the Yunokawa Onsen resort area, and hotels and inns are available for visitors planning to stay overnight. You can use Yunokawa Onsen as a base when planning a trip to Hakodate and enjoy the amazing sightseeing spots and delicious food the city has to offer! Hokkaido is a charming place to visit in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom, in the summer when the lush greenery returns, and in the fall when the leaves change color. If you visit Hakodate's Yunokawa Onsen, be sure to check out the cute monkeys relaxing in the hot springs! ◆Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden◆ 【Address】3 Chome-1-15 Yunokawacho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 042-0932 【Hours】 April - October: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. November - March: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 【Admission Fee】General admission: ¥300, Elementary and junior high school students: ¥100 【Parking】Available (Free) 【Access】Please check the official website 【TripAdvisor】Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden