The 21 animals designated Special Natural Monuments of Japan
The top 3 according to 66 votes from people: Crested ibis · Oriental stork · Japanese river otter. (Updated May 15, 2026.)
From the crested ibis, red-crowned crane, Iriomote cat and Japanese giant salamander to the firefly squid of Toyama Bay and the crane wintering grounds of Izumi: the 21 animal entries that Japan has designated Special Natural Monuments, the highest category of natural monument under its cultural properties law, either nationwide or together with their habitat.
Automatically translated (original in 日本語). See the original
Top 21
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1
Crested ibis
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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2
Oriental stork
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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3
Japanese river otter
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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4
Iriomote cat
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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5
Short-tailed albatross
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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6
Japanese serow
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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7
Amami rabbit
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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8
Rock ptarmigan
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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9
Onagadori long-tailed fowl of Tosa
Special Natural Monument designated in Kōchi Prefecture.
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10
Red-crowned crane
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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11
Crested serpent eagle
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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12
Sea bream habitat of Tainoura
Special Natural Monument designated in Chiba Prefecture.
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13
Cranes of Yashiro and their wintering site
Special Natural Monument designated in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
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14
Okinawa woodpecker
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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15
Bonin white-eye
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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16
Firefly squid swarming waters
Special Natural Monument designated in Toyama Prefecture.
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17
Cranes of Kagoshima and their wintering site (Izumi)
Special Natural Monument designated in Kagoshima Prefecture.
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18
Swans of Kominato and their wintering site
Special Natural Monument designated in Aomori Prefecture.
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19
Mikado swallowtail of Kōchi and its habitat
Special Natural Monument designated in Kōchi Prefecture.
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20
Japanese giant salamander
Special Natural Monument designated nationwide (not tied to one area).
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21
Genji fireflies of Nagaoka and their breeding site
Special Natural Monument designated in Shiga Prefecture.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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