Japanese Giant Salamander Viewing and Conservation Tours

The world's only non-intrusive Japanese Giant Salamander experiences, uniquely designed to support conservation efforts.

Tour Highlights:

  • See Japanese Giant Salamanders up close in the wild in shallow rivers with clear water.

  • Great photo opportunities without causing the animals any stress.

  • No need to immerse yourself in the river with snorkels etc. Simply put on waders (provided) and walk up the river’s with an expert guide.

  • Experiences available from March through November.

Help conserve this very special animal by joining one of the experiences listed below:

Viewing Experience

  • Spend an evening searching for and recording Japanese Giant Salamanders with an English speaking conservation expert and licensed researcher.

  • Walk in shallow rivers (wearing waders) and search for Japanese Giant Salamanders.

  • Observe the animals behaving naturally as they wait for prey in the river course.

  • Excellent opportunities for photography.

  • Regular availability throughout the year (March through November).

Conservation Experience (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)

  • Join a Japanese expert researcher as well as an English speaking conservation expert and licensed researcher for a visit to the Japanese Giant Salamander’s habitat in the daytime as well as spending an evening searching for and recording them.

  • Have a lecture/ presentation from the Japanese expert whilst eating dinner (dinner not included).

  • Help collect biometric data.

  • Premium option.

  • Limited availability.

 Mt. Daisen Japanese Giant Salamander Viewing Experience

  • Join expert guide Richard Pearce for a Japanese Giant Salamander viewing experience and have a rare chance to see them up close in the wild!

  • Great opportunities for photography.

  • Learn about the reality of their perilous situation and the conservation efforts of Sustainable Daisen.

  • Visit important pristine and disturbed habitats and help collect important data.

CLICK HERE for more information

Great opportunities for photography WITHOUT disturbing the animals

This JGS is underwater!! Crystal clear waters of Daisen (in special spots!)

Get up close without causing stress! The JGS is to the right of the guest!

mt. Daisen Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation Experience

  • LIMITED AVAILABILITY - PREMIUM TOUR

  • Assist Japanese Giant Salamander researchers in collecting biometric data.

  • A rare opportunity to see Japanese Giant Salamanders in their natural habitat.

  • Learn about the conservation efforts being carried out by Sustainable Daisen.

  • Visit degraded and pristine habitats.

CLICK HERE for more information

Measure and weigh JGS in order to further understand their situation and help with their conservation

We conducted important research in our own name for the first time this week. It was a very big step in our mission to protect the Japanese giant salamander. One of the reasons given by the authorities for their complete lack of conservation activiti
What a beautiful smile! My smile was bigger when I saw you, my friend. This Japanese giant salamander is about 70cm (over 2ft) and perhaps 50 years old. If we look after his habitat he might grow to be 150cm (5ft) in length and live until he is 100 y
Brilliant photographer and friend of Sustainable Daisen @kenchinphoto recently came and took these wonderful photographs. Thank you! #japanesegiantsalamander #nature #animals #conservation #amphibian #herpetology #Japan #salamander
Last night @graysonfauna and I were lucky enough to see these beauties up close and photograph them. These photos were taken using an iPhone. Imagine what you could do with a real camera! #japanesegiantsalamander #japanesewildlife #naturephotography
Climb one of hopefully four done! #summitforsalamanders #salamanderconservation #sustainabledaisen #charityclimb #amphibians #japanesegiantsalamander
Check out those eyes! Nice to see you, too! Japanese giant salamander viewing and conservation tours. Contact us for more details or checkout www.bushidojapan.com. Learn about the real situation for the JGS and also find out what we are doing about i
Big news! An article was written in The Guardian about the state of the Japanese Giant Salamander and Sustainable Daisen’s efforts to protect it. Please give it a read to learn more about the current situation and share so we can spread the
This big boy (approx 95cms) is absolutely exhausted after spending another night trying in vain to return to his home up river. He was most probably washed downstream during a storm and can not return because many concrete weirs like this one are blo
We’ve achieved a lot in our first few months as a Non-profit, but we’d be nowhere without the hard work and dedication of our members and supporters. One such member is Rachel, an American watercolour artist and art teacher based in Kyoto