Yaku monkeys are smaller than the native macaques of mainland Japan. They are dark grey and have long thick hair. Before getting carried away about the cute and fluffy creatures however – the most important points to remember about the Yaku macaques are that:
1. They are wild.
2. They have very large pointy teeth.
There are around 7000 of them roaming the mountains and can often be seen along the side of the mountain roads and on the trails. Sometimes hanging around the villages watching traffic.
YAKUSHIKA DEERヤクシカ
Yaku shika are also smaller than the mainland deer and number around 7000. They can be seen on the mountain trails in the day and in the villages at night.
SNAKES
MAMUSHIニホンマムシ: A poisonous viper that lurks near water.
Just to give you an idea of this delightful creature – my boss was bitten on the thumb and half his body was temporarily paralysed. Also a local resident in his 50s died from a bite. Spot it in the photo below.
But don’t let that put you off the mountain trails – as soon as they spot you they slither away into the bushes.
Not all snakes are the Mamushi though. Here’s a Japanese Rat snake in Anbo.
MUKADE百足
Once found lurking in the trouser leg of my son’s pyjamas, these are vicious little things and cause quite a swollen rash on the skin.
SUZUMEBACHI HORNETS 大雀蜂
Large kick-ass stinging machines which target you and don’t stop until you’re stung. They’re not that common though!
BEETLES
Any size, shape and colour you could wish for.
Shake a tabu tree in the summer and watch giant horned beetles fall.
SPIDERS
A variety of strange looking spiders inhabit the forest.
TOADS
Surprisingly common on the mountain slopes.
LEECHES
A loyal bloodsucking friend to many hikers. They climb up your boot and find a nice piece of juicy leg above your sock line. They cause no harm to normal healthy people and can be left alone until they drop off filled with your blood. Should you need to remove them however, use salt.
Is that hornet the notorious Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica)? Speaking as a waspophobe who’s going to be visiting Yakushima in May/June, how worried should I be?
Yes, it’s the Vespa mandarinia japonica otherwise known as the Suzumebachi hornet. They don’t normally cause any problems for visitors but here’s some of the advice from my book if you’re at all worried – keep to the paths, don’t wear black and avoid strong perfumes.
What is the reason behind not wearing black? I’ve read other places not to wear bright clothing bc insects will mistake you for a flower, but haven’t heard about the not wearing black thing before.
I believe it is because black is the color they associate with their natural predators which are usually large dark-looking mammals.
…just how common is it to find a leech sucking away at your shin?
Very common! But more so in rainy season. Usually the only reason you know you had a leech is when you later take your socks off and there’s blood on them. The leech is normally long gone.
Outside of what’s listed already, are there any year-round or seasonal biters (like mosquitoes)? Would you recommend insect repellent?
Yes, mosquitoes are there outside of winter! Around the rivers there can also be midges. And yes, if you’re going into the mountains it’s a good thing to have some repellent on.
Is that hornet the notorious Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia japonica)? Speaking as a waspophobe who’s going to be visiting Yakushima in May/June, how worried should I be?Yes, it’s the Vespa mandarinia japonica otherwise known as the Suzumebachi hornet. They don’t normally cause any problems for visitors but here’s some of the advice from my book if you’re at all worried – keep to the paths, don’t wear black and avoid strong perfumes.
What is the reason behind not wearing black? I’ve read other places not to wear bright clothing bc insects will mistake you for a flower, but haven’t heard about the not wearing black thing before.
…just how common is it to find a leech sucking away at your shin?
Outside of what’s listed already, are there any year-round or seasonal biters (like mosquitoes)? Would you recommend insect repellent?