Japan is the land of bugs! Actually, Japan has exceptional biodiversity! I’m so happy for that.

Let this be a brief 101 guide to some bugs and some animals.

With all bugs, prevention involves keeping a clean house, spraying repellant around your home/door and placing bug traps inside you home. Also Japan has endless mosquitoes so wear bug spray at night.

I will rank it’s overall power on a three-star system, 1 star ★ (lowest) to 3 stars ★★★ (highest) (as judged by me, an Australian).

Giant Centipedes ムカデ (Mukade)　★★★

The infamous Mukade!! Rumored to be among the most fearsome creature in Japan. Both venomous and poisonous, also centipedes are carnivores. They’ll hide in your laundry because they like damp and dark places, so be careful after drying clothes outside. Can be flung out of the room with chopsticks or use a specific mukade spray which freezes it (keep a bottle in the cupboard for emergency use). Bites are very painful and swell badly but you probably don’t need to go to the clinic unless it is causing difficulties. Steroid creams are sold at pharmacies. I’ve never actually seen one (fingers crossed!) but I’m also not too worried about a bug beaten by chopsticks.

House Centipedes ゲジゲジ　(Geji geji) ★

You can’t confuse this with a Mukade because somehow these are fouler looking but harmless. These guys eat other bugs, so I’d say no need to kill them. You can cup and paper them out of your house, squish them or spray them.

Millipede ヤスデ (Yasude) ★

Also harmless. They’ll stink if you smoosh them, so either cup and paper or spray with.

Image (left to right)

Mukade (5-30cm long, red head and feet), Millipede (2-5cm long, short legs and brown colour), Gejigeji (2-4cm long, very long legs, square angle to the legs)

Caterpillars (hairy) 毛虫 (Kemushi) ★🐛　

Not our friends ☹. They’ll give you an itchy rash that hurts. Avoid touching all caterpillars in Japan for this reason.

Cockroachesゴキブリ(Goki buri) ★★

Welcome to Japan, the land of cockroaches. They’re gross and I have no love to for these guys. They get 2 stars because if you actually get an infestation, your doomed. One big cockroach in your home usually means it came from outside. Small ones… probably were born in your house. They’re also stinky if you step on it so spraying is better. Show no mercy as they seem to be invincible. The closer you live to the ground floor and water like rivers and rice fields, the most likely you are to see them.

Spiders クモ (Kumo) ★

One star only!! A spider is a spider. No poisonous spiders are native to Japan. But Australia (hehehe sorry) introduced the Redback Spider to Japan so avoid those ones. Huntsman spiders LOOK scary because they are huge, but they are scaredy cats. Use a broom to chase it out. They’re our friend to help defeat cockroaches as they hunt them down and eat them. If you persistently have huntsman spiders, you probably have a different bug problem too.

Image: Redback spider セアカゴケグモ . Avoid!

Giant Hornets オオスズメバチ (Oh Suzume bachi)★★★

Terrifying. And can actually KILL! In Japanese, also called 殺人スズメバチmurder hornet. You must go to the hospital if you are stung by one. If you see one, keep calm. Move away slowly. Do not run or try and scare, they’ll attack in this case. They normally live in rotting wood so its more a countryside problem. They also think the colour black is a threat and may attack so be extra careful in this case.

Paper Wasps アシナガバチ (Ashi Naga Bachi) ★★

More like the wasps you’re likely used to. Avoid and call a professional if a nest if forming. Do not fight, you will lose. Probably won’t kill you but also you won’t be happy after.

Mites ダニ　(Dani) ★★

Once again, 2 stars ranking because once they’re in your house, they hard to get rid of! These mites are not bedbugs, but they are somewhat similar. They usually will come from Tatami mats (as they are woven grass) but can also live in fabrics and bedding. Bedding would need to be laundered on high heat at a coin laundry. When coming home from a trip, its best to wash your clothing quickly to avoid any you may have picked up on your travel. You can buy furniture spray and airing bedding in the sun will also help reduce the risk of mites.

Gnat/Fruit Flies ★

If you have ever walked past a river in Saga, you have encountered the millions of flying gnats. There’s nothing you can do but make sure your month is closed. Fruit flies are a similar bug. I recommend freezing your fruit and vegetable scraps/ other fresh rubbish. Try and you’re your sink and drain clean too helps. They seem to be a problem in the Honjo apartments where the kitchen isn’t well sealed from outside.

Other bugs

Dragonflies トンボ　（Tonbo）★

Cicada セミ (Semi) ★

Stink bugs ★★

Stag beetle クワガタムシ (Kuwagata mushi) ★

Rhinoceros beetle カブトムシ (Kabuto mushi)★

Black Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio maackii) ミヤマカラスアゲハ (Miyamarasuagehe)★

Animals

Keep your eyes open when driving and be careful if you go hiking or are in farmlands. All wild animals are considered dangerous and unpredictable. This is a very bare-bones list.

Wild Boars イノシシ (Inoshishi)

Boars aren’t friendly. They chase you down if they get a chance. You’ll see signs all over Japan about being careful about their appearance.

Snakes ヘビ (Hebi)

Japan has a good mix of venomous and non-venomous snakes. Considered the deadliest and most dangerous are Mamushi (Japanese Pit Viper) and Okinawa Habu (also a Viper). 2 in 1000 people on the Amami Islands are bitten. This is because they are grumpy and enter homes following mice and rats. Vipers also have a long reach with quick strike. It’s a less than 1% chance of dying (with treatment) but victims can have permanent motor damage.

The Mamushi will cause about 10 death a year and you’ll need a good week in hospital.

The Mamushi is in all of Japan. Plus, the other venous snakes are all over Japan too.

Of course, sea snakes around Okinawa are also very venomous but rarely bite.

Personally, I’ve only seen 3 snakes, one in Kabeshima (Yobuko), Karatsu City on my walk to work, and Saga City near Kencho. Snakes are likely to in leafy areas, in rocky areas, farmlands, around river areas hunting frogs or basking in the sun.

It’s generally a good idea to watch where you step in the mountains and wear closed shoes. Most people are bitten when trying to kill a snake. Please keep your distance.

Bears くま (Kuma)

Japan has both black and brown bears. In Kyushu, we are lucky to have no bears, but all other Islands of Japan has one of the types. Wearing a bell and being noisy, plus carrying bear spray will help if you go hiking in other parts of Japan.

Monkeys サル (Saru)

Monkeys are often spotted around Karatsu and you’ll find them all over Japan. They are not friendly. Do not make eye contact, they see this as a challenge and will attack. You will lose in a fight against a monkey. My students often tell me to be careful of them.

Badgers アナグマ (Anaguma)

Apparently, badgers are aggressive?! I never knew. Thought they were kind of just like a wombat. They may kill animals like Tanuki’s to take their homes ☹

Raccoon Dogs タヌキ (Tanuki)

It’s animal crossing’s Tom Nook!! They’re shy and will probably run away but I consider it lucky to see one.