Originally posted August 22 2014
The Tokyo metropolitan area may be the largest urban conglomeration on earth, but our animal friends are nonetheless always very present in and around the city. We picked out the best of the wild bunch below…
1. Tanuki
A legendary shapeshifter and frequent subject of folk tales, the Japanese raccoon dog can occasionally be spotted right in the centre of the city – one daring individual even invaded a ballet studio in Ebisu last year. However, the chances of actually spotting one increase if you head a little further west – these tricky little things often hang out along the Zenpukuji River in Suginami-ku, and have also been known to live on the lush, spacious premises of International Christian University in Mitaka. Also, to prevent unnecessary investigation, please remember that real tanuki don’t have huge testicles.
2. Bats
That’s one massive bug – no wait, it’s probably just pipistrellus abramus, known among friends as the Japanese house bat. Keep your eyes open on warm summer nights, especially along small rivers and around old houses – you might very well notice several of these flying around, hunting insects and gossiping at frequencies way beyond the range of our futile ears.
3. Masked Palm Civets
This disguised avenger has become more and more common on the outskirts of Tokyo in recent years, with some brave civets even entering human homes and digging through the trash. They apparently have a preference for indoor living too, as monks and maintenance workers have been known to come across uninvited visitors inside quiet shrine and temple buildings. Civets are rather shy, but have sharp teeth and aren’t afraid to use them.
4. Raccoons
Even spotted near the Imperial Palace a few years back, the greyish raccoon is far less common than the tanuki, with probably less than a hundred individuals living inside the 23 wards. Notorious among farmers for its crop-eating ways, this charmer can be legally hunted, but rarely ends up shot because of its largely nocturnal lifestyle.
5. Tropical fish in the ‘Tamazon’
Remember back in 2010, when distinctly non-native fish were pulled out of the Tamagawa and media innovatively dubbed the river ‘Tamazon’? Although it seems the supply of piranhas and the like dried up rather quickly after that incident, the river still turns up the occasional garpike (pictured above). More fearsomely, alligator snapping turtles (wanigame) also live in its waters, most likely as a result of pet owners abandoning their snappy friends.
6. Snakes
Indiana Jones wouldn’t feel safe in Tokyo: several snake species live in the city’s parks, sewers and ponds. Perhaps most impressive among these is the Japanese rat snake, which can grow up to two metres long, climbs trees and eats whole rats like it ain’t no big deal. Hardly a danger to humans though – its only real weapon is a vaguely moldy smell emitted in case of danger. For snake-spotting, try the Kanda or Zenpukuji rivers.
7. Bears
Yeah, bears. They may not roam around the streets of Shibuya, but head out to western Hachioji or, even better, Oku-Tama, and you may very well catch a glimpse of the mighty beast. The so-called ‘bear border’ is only around 40km from Shinjuku, and anyone looking to hike Mount Mitake should understand that coming face to face with a 120kg fur ball is a rare but realistic possibility.
8. The monkeys at Mt Takao
The ‘monkey park’ (really just a small zoo) on the top of Tokyo’s most popular hiking destination houses dozens of mild-mannered macaques, but these poor captives can only dream of the lush life enjoyed by their wild brothers and sisters, often seen swinging in the trees and on the cable car wires all across the mountain. Snack-snagging individuals also exist, so hold on to your bento.
9. Japanese martens
No, not naturalised Dutch guys – the marten is a mostly harmless omnivore that looks a bit like a baby fox with its golden brown fur and attentive gaze. Although it prefers foresty surroundings, a few misguided individuals have been known to wander dangerously close to suburban homes, confusing pampered pets and creating all kinds of ruckus. Although wild marten sightings in the city are uncommon, several of Tokyo’s zoos house them.
10. Giant flying squirrels
Another Mount Takao native, the musasabi almost justifies its awesome English name with tree-to-tree glides up to 150m long – pretty impressive for a furry fellow that technically can’t fly and is a giant only in the rodent world. If you’re ever around Takao-san on a warm summer night, grab some binoculars and try spying on the tall trees – you just might catch a superhero-like leap in the sky.