Giant salamanders have soft, squishy bodies the same colors as the rocks and small eyes, and they are not active during the daytime but rather at night.
But don't let their funny appearance fool you. They can move surprisingly fast, capturing and swallowing whole live prey such as frogs, fish, and shrimp in the blink of an eye.

Due to their large bodies and small legs, their movements are slow.
During typhoons or heavy rains, they can be swept away and found downstream in the river.
They have sharp teeth, a strong bite, and a habit of biting anything that moves in front of them, making them dangerous. Also, you may not touch or catch them without special qualifications or permission, so if you find one, please leave it alone.

Flowing right beside Daimon-ji Temple, the Aigawa River teems with flora and fauna. More than 4,500 plant and animal species have been identified in the Aigawa River watershed.
Found only in Japan, the giant salamander has been designated a Special Natural Monument. Growing to a length of 150 cm, it is the world's largest amphibian.

In Ibaraki City, where Daimon-ji Temple is located, these giant salamanders inhabit the upper reaches of the Aigawa River.
Occasionally, they can be seen in the river near urban areas.

Increasing hybridization (the process of breeding between different species) between native species (the Japanese giant salamander) and foreign species (giant salamanders from outside Japan) in recent times is becoming a serious issue.

Hybrid salamanders look similar to purebred ones, making it hard to tell them apart. Unfortunately, this means that the number of pure Japanese giant salamanders is falling fast without us noticing.

Let's start addressing this silent crisis and value our precious natural world more.