Japanese Wildlife - Beach Special

Well chaps, summer’s here in Yanai and the time is most certainly right for dancing on the beach. And with the sun has come a bevy of new wildlife, including the dreaded mukades and the annoyingly vocal “cow” frogs. However, having spent the last two weekends lounging languishingly on the beaches of a secluded little island just off the coast, I figured it only fitting to do a “Beach Special” of my Wildlife of Japan featurette.

So, without further ado, here’s a few of the beasties you can find along the shores of Yamaguchi.

Fugu

Known across the world for its prized and occasionally poisonous meat, this blow fish is a national treasure of Japan. I was lucky to find a young boy fishing for them at the harbour. This was one of the smaller amongst his finds.

Aosagi (Grey Heron)

These regal birds are everywhere in the countryside, and have recently become something of a nuisance with their incessant nightly honking. They are one of the most impressive birds to see soaring above the sleepy streets of Yanai.



Kani (Ruddy big crab)

There are thousands of different crabs scurrying about the beaches and river banks of Japan, but this monster is by far the largest I’ve come across so far. Sitting with an air of melancholy by a drainage canal, this chap was about twenty centimetres across.

Kurage (Jellyfish)

One of the most curiously beautiful of Mother Nature’s creations is most certainly the jellyfish; a creature that is despised for its toxicity, and yet admired for its vast array of intricately coloured varieties. In Japan, there are three well-known types; the giant Nomura, reaching over six feet in diameter, the little white ones which (as seems to be the fashion with anything unappetising in this neck of the woods) is often eaten, and then this chap, who is rather dangerous. Fun times.

Hitode (Starfish)

It’s always a tragedy coming across a starfish laying stranded on the beach, and for the most part, I try to return the dear fellows back to their home. However, with so many finding themselves marooned, I’m often reminded of that old parable… “Made a difference to that one…”

Funamushi (Wharf Roach)

Exploring rock pools along the Yanai beaches really is somewhat akin to being in an Indiana Jones movie, with seas of these ocean-dwelling woodlice undulating below foot. Some grow to about two inches long, so they are certainly a little more daunting to your BBQ fun than a couple of ants!