Ikimono KokuhoLiving Treasures of Japan
By region
Northern Alps, Daisetsuzan and more

Animals of the high mountains

The rock ptarmigan and many alpine butterflies reached Japan during the ice ages and stayed on the cool high mountains as the climate warmed. Stay on the trail and watch them quietly.

Rock Ptarmigan (Japanese subspecies)
Special Natural Monument

Rock Ptarmigan (Japanese subspecies)

Birds

Lagopus muta japonica

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Japanese Stoat (Honshu ermine)
Prefectural Natural Monument

Japanese Stoat (Honshu ermine)

Mammals

Mustela erminea nippon

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Daisetsu Arctic Butterfly (Melissa Arctic)
National Natural Monument

Daisetsu Arctic Butterfly (Melissa Arctic)

Insects

Oeneis melissa daisetsuzana

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Freija Fritillary (Asahidake subspecies)
National Natural Monument

Freija Fritillary (Asahidake subspecies)

Insects

Boloria freija asahidakeana

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Norse Grayling (Takane Hikage)
Prefectural Natural Monument

Norse Grayling (Takane Hikage)

Insects

Oeneis norna

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Arran Brown (Kumomabenihikage)
Prefectural Natural Monument

Arran Brown (Kumomabenihikage)

Insects

Erebia ligea

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Moorland Clouded Yellow
Prefectural Natural Monument

Moorland Clouded Yellow

Insects

Colias palaeno

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Eversmann's Parnassian (Daisetsuzan subspecies)
National Natural Monument

Eversmann's Parnassian (Daisetsuzan subspecies)

Insects

Parnassius eversmanni daisetsuzanus

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More features

By seasonLate autumn to early spring

Birds that come for the winter

From late autumn to early spring, cranes, swans, geese and sea eagles arrive from their northern breeding grounds. Some of their wintering sites are themselves designated Natural Monuments.

9 animals
By seasonSpring to summer

Birds that come to raise their young

These birds fly in from their southern wintering grounds in spring and raise their young in Japan over the summer. It is the season to hear and see them in forests and mountains.

6 animals
By seasonEarly summer nights

Fireflies of summer nights

Places where Genji, Heike and Hime fireflies emerge are designated in many parts of Japan. When watching them, keep lights to a minimum and leave the fireflies and their surroundings undisturbed.

3 animals