Daisen Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation Experience

• A rare opportunity to see Japanese giant salamanders in their natural habitat

• assist Japanese giant salamander researchers in collecting biometric data

• Learn about the conservation efforts being carried out by sustainable daisen non-profit organisation

• limited AVAILABILITY - For a japanese giant salamander viewing tour that operates regularly, please click here

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The salamanders of the Nawa River Basin and their significance to Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation

The Nawa River basin is a special habitat for the JGS. It is unique in that it has relatively large numbers of JGS at a low altitude (of 100 meters or less) and also so close to the ocean. Elsewhere in Japan only small numbers of salamanders can be found at such low altitudes. The reason for the high concentration of JGS in the Nawa River basin is because of its location on the northern slopes of Mount Daisen, a sacred mountain situated on the Sea of Japan coast. The beech forests on the mountain’s slopes are largely intact and act as important water filters for the surrounding area. Combined with the high annual precipitation, the abundance of nutrient rich water in the rivers, soil and fisheries make Daisen a potential haven for wildlife.

However, according to leading researchers, if urgent measures are not taken soon the Japanese giant salamanders in this special habitat will die out. Being present at lower altitudes naturally places the salamanders at a closer proximity to humans. Increased development in the basin has led to the rivers and streams being fragmented or blocked by the construction of roads, weirs, and dams. Pollution from agricultural runoff is also effecting the quality (particularly the oxygen levels) of the water in which the salamanders live.

Charitable donations and financial support from the private sector are increasingly necessary in order to continue research and protect the future of the Japanese giant salamander. The Daisen Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation Experience aims to generate data to contribute to the salamanders' conservation through limited, select participation, carried out under strict ethical guidelines.

Daisen Town is 30 mins by car from Yonago City. Flights to Yonago Airport from Tokyo Haneda take around 80 minutes. Local trains connect JR Yonago Station and Mikuriya Station in around 27 minutes. Pick-up and return can be provided from Mikuriya Station.

Conservation

Japanese giant salamanders became a nationally protected species under the "Special Natural Monument" designation in 1952, and its conservation status was recently raised to "vulnerable" from "near threatened" in the Japanese Ministry of Environment's Red Data Book. The probability that this species will become extinct is increasing because of habitat loss and degradation associated with human activity, such as dams and bank protection walls. These alterations contribute to habitat fragmentation and the elimination of nest sites of the salamanders.

Local status

The Nawa River basin, which flows down the Northern slopes of Mt. Daisen, are an important and special Japanese giant salamander habitats. However, there is a severe lack of data and the habitat itself receives no official protection. The data collected during these tours is vital in understanding the true situation for the JGS in the Nawa River Basin.

Japanese Giant Salamander

The Japanese giant salamander is one of only three members of the Cryptobranchidae family. Their biology has changed little in millions of years, earning them the title of “living dinosaurs”.  The Japanese giant salamander is the second largest in this family, can grow up to 1.5 meters in length, and potentially live up to a hundred years. They are generally active at night, relying on smell and touch to locate prey, which includes fresh-water crab, fish, frogs and insects, catching them with a rapid sideways snap of the mouth. It has an extremely slow metabolism and can go for several weeks without eating. This species’ large size and lack of gills in fully developed adults are thought to confine them to cold, fast flowing water where oxygen is in good supply. 

Experience Schedule (subject to seasonal changes)

3pm: Meet at Mikuriya Station and move to study area.

3.15pm - 5.30pm: Learn about the sanctuary area and look for JGS and other amphibians and habitat

5.30pm: Move to classroom. Salamander talk and Q&A with Leading Expert. Chance to eat dinner/snacks (not included).

6.45pm: Return to Field Site

7pm: Move to evening field site. Put on waders and carry equipment to the river.

7.15m: Assist in conducting salamander surveys in the river. Assist with activities such as measuring and weighing salamanders and help record the data collected.

10pm: Experience finishes at Nawa Station

General Information

Group Size: One to Five People

Age Limit: 7 years and older (Please contact us for a special program if you have children under 7 who’d like to participate).

When: April to November, not including between mid-August and mid-September. Late August to mid-September is breeding season and an alternative viewing experience may be available. Please contact Bushido for details.

Experience Cost (Japanese Yen):

• 1 person: 85,000

• 2 people: 85,000

• 3 people: 95,000

• 4 people: 100,000

• 5 people: 105,000

Included: 

• Wader rental

• Travel from station to field site and return

What to bring:

• Head torch or hand torch (waterproof recommended) and spare batteries

• Warm clothing (seasonal)

• Something for dinner

Stay: We can help organise an overnight stay at a traditional local inn. Please ask us for more details.

Contact: For bookings or enquiries in English, please email richard@bushidojapan.com or use the CONTACT option on the toolbar.

Japanese giant salamander conservation experience booking conditions: 

After receiving confirmation of your booking, please make a payment in full following the instructions provided at that time.

 Cancellation Policy

• Any cancellations made between 17:00 local time, 15 business days to 17:00 local time, 7 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 20% of the total amount.

• Any cancellations made between 17:00 local time, 7 business days to 17:00 local time, 2 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 30% of the total amount.

• Any cancellations made between 17:00 local time, 2 business days to 17:00 local time, 1 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 50% of the total amount.

• Any cancellations made after 17:00 local time, 1 business days prior to the activity will be subject to a charge of 100% of the total amount.