Ikimono KokuhoLiving Treasures of Japan

Natural Monument animals to see in May

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

Season (10)

Loggerhead Sea Turtle
National Natural Monument
ReptilesAnimal

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Caretta caretta

Shizuoka, Wakayama +2
Oriental Dollarbird
National Natural Monument
BirdsAnimal

Oriental Dollarbird

Eurystomus orientalis

Saitama, Yamanashi +4
Japanese Luehdorfia (Gifu butterfly)
Prefectural Natural Monument
InsectsAnimal

Japanese Luehdorfia (Gifu butterfly)

Luehdorfia japonica

Kanagawa, Okayama
Pygmy Dragonfly
Prefectural Natural Monument
InsectsAnimal

Pygmy Dragonfly

Nannophya pygmaea

Toyama, Gifu
Luehdorfia puziloi
Prefectural Natural Monument
InsectsAnimal

Luehdorfia puziloi

Luehdorfia puziloi

Gunma, Niigata
Firefly Squid
Special Natural Monument
MolluscsAnimal★ Special

Firefly Squid

Watasenia scintillans

Toyama
Photo wanted
Prefectural Natural Monument
InsectsAnimal

Kumejima Firefly

Nipponoluciola owadai

Okinawa
Black-tailed Gull
National Natural Monument
BirdsAnimal

Black-tailed Gull

Larus crassirostris

Hokkaido, Aomori +6
Rhinoceros Auklet
National Natural Monument
BirdsAnimal

Rhinoceros Auklet

Cerorhinca monocerata

Hokkaido, Miyagi
Japanese Dormouse
National Natural Monument
MammalsAnimal

Japanese Dormouse

Glirulus japonicus

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.