By region

Kagoshima and Okinawa

Island animals of Amami and Okinawa

Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, the northern part of Okinawa Island and Iriomote were inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2021. Many animals here evolved on their own islands and live nowhere else.

Special Natural Monument

Amami Rabbit

Mammals

Pentalagus furnessi

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Special Natural Monument

Iriomote Cat

Mammals

Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis

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National Natural Monument

Okinawa Rail

Birds

Hypotaenidia okinawae

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Special Natural Monument

Okinawa Woodpecker

Birds

Dendrocopos noguchii

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National Natural Monument

Lidth's Jay

Birds

Garrulus lidthi

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National Natural Monument

Ryukyu Long-haired Rat

Mammals

Diplothrix legata

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National Natural Monument

Amami Spiny Rat

Mammals

Tokudaia osimensis

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Special Natural Monument

Crested Serpent Eagle

Birds

Spilornis cheela perplexus

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National Natural Monument

Ryukyu Black-breasted Leaf Turtle

Reptiles

Geoemyda japonica

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Prefectural Natural Monument

Kuroiwa's Ground Gecko

Reptiles

Goniurosaurus kuroiwae

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Prefectural Natural Monument

Amami Ishikawa's Frog

Amphibians

Odorrana splendida

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Prefectural Natural Monument

Ishikawa's Frog (Okinawa)

Amphibians

Odorrana ishikawae

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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