Japanese Giant Salamander Viewing & Conservation Tours

The world’s only non-intrusive Japanese Giant Salamander experiences — uniquely designed to support real conservation efforts.

Tour Highlights

See Japanese Giant Salamanders up close in crystal-clear, shallow rivers. Enjoy excellent photo opportunities without disturbing the animals. There’s no need for snorkels or full immersion — just slip on provided waders and walk gently through the river with an expert guide.

Experiences are available from March through November. By joining a tour, you directly contribute to the conservation of this extraordinary species.

Choose from one of the two options below:


🦎 Japanese Giant Salamander Viewing Experience

Spend an evening (approx. 4 hours) searching for and observing Japanese Giant Salamanders in the wild with an English-speaking conservation expert and licensed researcher. This guided river walk takes place in shallow, clear waters and follows a non-intrusive, ethical approach.

From 25,000 JPY per person

Click here for more details!


🌱 Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation Experience

Join a full-day experience focused on Japanese Giant Salamander conservation. The day includes educational and hands-on elements to deepen your understanding of this unique species and the efforts to protect it.

Includes:

  • Field visits to both disturbed and pristine habitats

  • Educational presentation on salamander biology, threats, and conservation strategy

  • Night survey with optional data collection (e.g. length, weight, PIT tagging)

From 35,000 JPY per person

Click here for more details!

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!

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

Some fantastic shots from a special night tour with our guests! Alongside the Japanese Giant Salamanders (オオサンショウウオ), we also spotted fishing spiders, a Mamushi viper, and a Forest Green Tree Frog (モリアオガエル). 特別なナイトツアーで撮影した素敵な写真をご紹介！ 日本のオオサンショウウオ（Jap
A real gentle giant. Last night, during a survey with a visiting professor from the USA, I had the incredible luck of encountering this beautiful 91cm female Japanese Giant Salamander — possibly close to 100 years old. She had a distinctive W-
Making dreams come true AND helping conserve Japanese Giant Salamanders! It’s a privilege to introduce the majestic JGS to fine folk who care so much about nature. Would you like to meet them for yourself? We are waiting for you! #japanesegi
ON SALE NOW! By popular demand, we’ve released a black version of the super cool Sam Fanson-designed Japanese Giant Salamander T-shirt! 🎨 LIMITED EDITION — High-quality organic cotton, designed by the legendary Sam Fanson. A beautiful,
Perfect camouflage! These ambush predators blend in so well, you’d think they were just rocks—if not for those watchful eyes. #japanesegiantsalamander #amphibians #salamanders #animals #nature #predators #wildlife
Finally it’s here! ON SALE NOW! By popular demand we have realised a black version of the super cool Sam Fanson design JGS t-shirt! LIMITED EDITION High Quality Organic Cotton T-shirt designed by designing legend Sam Fanson! A beautiful, eco-fr
How beautiful you are! Great opportunities to see Japanese Giant Salamanders in the wild without disturbing them here on Mount Daisen. Shallow and clear water provide wonderful opportunities for photography and videography. Join us for a tour and exp
**🏃‍♂️ 50km for the Salamander 🦎🌋** On June 15, I’ll be running a 50km ultra-marathon on the volcanic Oki Islands in Shimane Prefecture — a brutal course of endless ups and downs. Why? Because the Japanese Giant Salamander needs
Ever dreamt of seeing a Japanese Giant Salamander in the wild? Join a licensed researcher in the field for an unforgettable observation and research experience. Visit bushido.japan.com to learn how you can take part in the only conservation-focused J
What beautiful feet - must be a lover and not a fighter! I’ve seen more than a 100 salamanders in the wild but this might just be my favourite. Meet Virgil (Big Virg)! He really is a mystery. I’ve never seen such beautiful and intact feet
Another successful expedition in the search for and documentation of Japanese Giant Salamanders in their natural habitat. This special habitat, previously unknown and unexplored until last year, is now a critical focus for our conservation efforts. B
Trust me, I have a bigger smile every time I see one or these beauties in a healthy environment. We are working hard to improve the situation for this girl’s (she is around 60cm (2 feet) and perhaps around 50 years old already) cousins in the d
Meet one of our most well known supporters, the talented and kind-hearted David Neilson! Best known for his role as cafe owner Roy Cropper on the long-running ITV soap *Coronation Street*, David is not only a star on screen but a wonderful person and
Japanese Giant Salamander Conservation and Viewing Tours have commenced for the year! Can you spot this master of camouflage in the photo? Scroll right for a video that reveals where it is! Such a pleasure to see these beauts in the wild and contribu
Wow! Another Japanese giant salamander larvae found! After a second day and night of conducting surveys in the freezing cold, we can confirm the presence of at least two nests in a stretch of healthy mountain stream. Woohoo! This habitat was partly d