By region

Tokyo

Animals found only in the Ogasawara Islands

The Ogasawara Islands are oceanic islands that have never been joined to a continent. Inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site in 2011, they are home to many birds, insects and land snails found nowhere else.

Special Natural Monument

Bonin White-eye (Hahajima subspecies)

Birds

Apalopteron familiare hahasima

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National Natural Monument

Red-headed Wood Pigeon

Birds

Columba janthina nitens

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National Natural Monument

Ogasawara Buzzard

Birds

Buteo japonicus toyoshimai

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National Natural Monument

Bonin Flying Fox

Mammals

Pteropus pselaphon

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National Natural Monument

Land Snails of the Ogasawara Islands

Molluscs

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National Natural Monument

Ogasawara Holly Blue

Insects

Celastrina ogasawaraensis

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National Natural Monument

Bonin Jewel Beetle

Insects

Chrysochroa holstii

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National Natural Monument

Ogasawara Cicada

Insects

Meimuna boninensis

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Photo wanted

National Natural Monument

Ogasawara Emerald Dragonfly

Insects

Hemicordulia ogasawarensis

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National Natural Monument

Bonin Damselfly

Insects

Ischnura ezoin

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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