Wataru HIMENO– Author –
Wataru HIMENO
Wataru HIMENO, born on August 8, 1995.
From a young age, I was passionate about insect collecting, with a particular fascination for the impressive Japanese glass lizard, which sparked my love for reptiles and amphibians. After graduating from university, he volunteered in Ecuador, where he encountered the term "herping." Upon returning to Japan, I worked at a travel agency, promoting herping and started a blog called WildHerping. After leaving the travel agency, he founded WildHerping & Co. to promote environmental conservation and has since been dedicated to the protection of nature and wildlife.
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Herping
Responsible Herping in Japan: How to Enjoy Wildlife Without Harming It
Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) Japan is one of the most exciting countries in the world for herping. From cool mountain streams where the Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) lives, to subtropical forests in Okina... -
Herping
Giant Salamander Tour Japan | See the Giant Salamanders in Kyoto
Discover the World’s Second-Largest Amphibian in the Wild Meet One of Japan’s Most Incredible Wild Animals Imagine standing in a crystal-clear mountain stream under a sky full of stars. Suddenly, your guide shines a light beneath a subme... -
Herping
Best Places to See Japanese Giant Salamanders in Kyoto (Local Guide)
Crystal-clear mountain streams in Kyoto provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography. Looking for the best place to see a Japanese giant salamander in Kyoto? Kyoto is famous for temples, shrines, and traditional culture, but ... -
Herping
The Ultimate Guide to Seeing Japanese Giant Salamanders in the Wild (2026)
The Ultimate Guide to Seeing Japanese Giant Salamanders in the Wild Japan is famous for cherry blossoms, temples, and sushi—but hidden beneath the clear mountain streams lives one of the world’s most extraordinary amphibians. The Ja... -
Herping
Things to Do in Kyoto at Night: A Hidden Wildlife Experience Most Tourists Never Discover
Kyoto is famous for its temples, shrines, geisha districts, and traditional culture. After sunset, many visitors head to Gion, Pontocho, or illuminated temples. These are wonderful experiences, but what if you’re looking for something co... -
Blog
Things to Do in Kyoto at Night: Meet Japan’s Giant Salamanders
Things to Do in Kyoto at Night: Meet Japan’s Giant Salamanders When people think of Kyoto, they imagine ancient temples, geisha districts, bamboo forests, and beautiful shrines. But after sunset, Kyoto reveals a completely different side... -
Herping
Kyoto Giant Salamander Tour: Discover Japan’s Largest Amphibian in the Wild
Giant Salamander Kyoto Is More Than Temples and Geisha When people think of Kyoto, they imagine ancient temples, traditional tea ceremonies, geisha districts, and beautiful gardens. But few visitors realize that Kyoto is also one of the ... -
Birding
Okinawa and Amami Herping | Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Okinawa Herping | Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan Okinawa herping is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in Japan. After enjoying Okinawa’s beautiful beaches and tropical atmosphere during the day, the forests come alive ... -
Herping
Habu Morphs of the Ryukyu Islands | Okinawa Herping Japan
The Habu is Japan’s largest viper species. Photo at Ie island When people think about Okinawa herping, one snake immediately comes to mind: the Habu. The Okinawan Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis) is one of the most iconic venomous snake... -
Herping
Wildlife Observed on Ie Island, Okinawa | Herping Japan
This time, I would like to introduce some of the wildlife we observed on Ie Island, a small island located about 30 minutes by ferry from the Motobu Peninsula in Okinawa, Japan. Ie Island has a unique and complicated history. It became o...
