Ikimono KokuhoLiving Treasures of Japan

Natural Monument animals to see in April

Natural Monument animals you can see, or that are at their best, in April. When watching wildlife, keep your distance and follow local rules.

Best time (2)

Firefly Squid
Special Natural Monument
MolluscsAnimal★ Special

Firefly Squid

Watasenia scintillans

Toyama
Photo wanted
Prefectural Natural Monument
InsectsAnimal

Kumejima Firefly

Nipponoluciola owadai

Okinawa

Season (6)

Loggerhead Sea Turtle
National Natural Monument
ReptilesAnimal

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Caretta caretta

Shizuoka, Wakayama +2
Japanese Luehdorfia (Gifu butterfly)
Prefectural Natural Monument
InsectsAnimal

Japanese Luehdorfia (Gifu butterfly)

Luehdorfia japonica

Kanagawa, Okayama
Luehdorfia puziloi
Prefectural Natural Monument
InsectsAnimal

Luehdorfia puziloi

Luehdorfia puziloi

Gunma, Niigata
Brant Goose
National Natural Monument
BirdsAnimal

Brant Goose

Branta bernicla

Hokkaido, Aomori +1
Whooper Swan
Special Natural Monument
BirdsAnimal★ Special

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnus

Aomori, Miyagi +2
Black-tailed Gull
National Natural Monument
BirdsAnimal

Black-tailed Gull

Larus crassirostris

Hokkaido, Aomori +6

Frequently asked questions

Catching or harming Natural Monument animals is prohibited by law. Keep a good distance, do not feed them and stay out of restricted areas. Animals are especially sensitive in the breeding season, so follow local viewing rules.