Foxes, Bears, and the Secret Lives of the Forest
Iwate is more than mountains, myths, and noodles. It’s also teeming with life. From silent deer stepping through snow to mischievous monkeys in the trees, the forests and rivers of Iwate are home to some of Japan’s most iconic (and sometimes elusive) animals.
This is a land where real animals and legendary yōkai overlap, and if you listen closely, you might just hear the whisper of wings or the soft crunch of paws in the underbrush.
1. Nihon-zaru (Japanese Macaque) – The Snow Monkey
These fuzzy-faced monkeys are Japan’s northernmost primates, and they love Iwate’s mountainous regions.
– Known for soaking in hot springs (though more in Nagano, they roam parts of Iwate too)
– Travel in family groups and communicate with expressive faces and vocal calls
– You might spot them in places like the Hachimantai Plateau, especially in early morning or late afternoon
– They’re curious but clever, but never feed them, or they might follow you home and can become aggressive.
2. Kitsune (Red Fox) – Real and Legendary
The Ezo red fox roams freely in Iwate’s forests and rice fields, often near dawn or dusk.
– Slender and graceful, with bright eyes and fluffy tails
– Symbol of mystery and magic, often linked to the god Inari
– Said to be clever tricksters in folklore—but in real life, they’re shy and fast
– If you catch one watching you from the shadows… consider yourself lucky.
3. Tsuki-no-waguma (Japanese Black Bear)
Yes, Iwate is bear country! They’re shy and avoid humans, but do take care. They are very skittish and will run away if they hear something like a bear bell, which many school children in Iwate have dangling from their school bags.
– Medium-sized bears with a distinctive white chest mark
– Most active in spring and autumn, foraging for berries and insects
– Occasionally spotted in areas like the Kitakami Mountains or near Hachimantai
– Locals carry bear bells when hiking, just to give them a polite heads-up!
4. Tanuki (Raccoon Dog) – The Forest’s Little Trickster
Not quite a raccoon, not quite a dog. Tanuki are their own magical thing.
– Chubby, round-faced animals known for being night-time wanderers
– Associated with shape-shifting legends and cheerful mischief
– Real tanuki are quiet, shy, and love to forage near rivers and fields
– You might see one crossing a mountain road late at night!
5. Nihon Kamoshika (Japanese Serow) – The Mountain Ghost
A symbol of Iwate’s wild elegance, the serow is a goat-antelope unique to Japan.
– Has a shaggy, grayish coat and curved horns
– Lives in steep, forested mountain slopes
– Often appears suddenly and silently, then disappears just as fast
– This gentle creature embodies the spirit of the Japanese forest.
6. Birds of Iwate – From Falcons to Fairy Wings
Iwate is a birdwatcher’s dream:
– Yamadori (Copper pheasant): Stunning birds with long tails, often spotted in thickets
– Kawasemi (Kingfisher): Bright blue birds seen near quiet streams and ponds
– Japanese bush warblers: Known for their haunting spring call of “ho-ho-ke-kyo!”
– Steller’s sea eagle: In winter, this giant raptor sometimes visits coastal areas
Even in the cities, the songs of Iwate’s birds make morning walks magical.
7. Salamanders, Frogs, and Fireflies
The smaller citizens of Iwate deserve love too!
– Japanese giant salamanders lurk in cool rivers and streams
– Tree frogs sing in summer rice fields
And in June, rural villages light up with fireflies, dancing over rivers and grass like spirits
Respect for Wildlife in Iwate
Iwate people have long coexisted with animals with a mix of respect, wariness, and wonder.
– You’ll see “beware of bear” signs in mountain areas
– Shrines often have fox or deer statues as protectors
– Farmers use scarecrow-style tricks to deter clever monkeys or tanuki
But overall, this is a land where the line between nature and spirit is lovingly blurred.
Final Thoughts: Where the Wild Things Roam (Quietly)
In Iwate, wildlife doesn’t shout, it whispers. A rustle here. A pawprint there. A glimpse of movement between trees.
Whether you’re hiking in the Hachimantai forest, walking a rice path at twilight, or sitting quietly by a stream… Iwate’s creatures are watching. And wondering about you, too.
