“This magpie/crow/vulture thing is about the size of my torso”

The people in Japan might be small, but the bugs and other beasts certainly aren’t. Here’s a few photos of typical Japanese wildlife. Please refrain from feeding the animals as they may pluck out your eyes.

A swan at the Imperial Palacein Tokyo.

We found this praying mantis in Nara.

And of course, the map-eating deer as well.

Turtles in Nara.

A crane fishing for baby turtles and other tasty bits in Nara.

This crane was perched atop the A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.

Giant koi in Kichijoji.

Tsukiji fishmarket fare.

This raven beast’s hooked beak is about four inches long. Perfect for snatching eye balls.

Tragically we think that’s exactly what happened to this racoon-looking creature in Kamakura. It was missing an eye.

Feral cats are everywhere.

Which is no suprise considering the locals like to feed them scraps—particularly in Gotanda.

A (thankfully) dead cicada. The live ones make terrible noise. Ken-san almost brought this one home.

These spiders in Inari are fist-size.

They eat babies.