
Children touch a giant squid on display in Kami, Hyogo Prefecture
12:33 JST, February 18, 2023
KAMI, Hyogo — A giant squid measuring a total of 6.5 meters in length was found on the Kasumi coast of Kami, Hyogo Prefecture, on Jan. 28. The squid was put on public display at the town’s Geopark & Uminobunkakan, where visitors were able to touch it while wearing gloves.
According to the museum, giant squid are thought to live in the warm deep waters off the Ogasawara Islands. However, they sometimes wander into the Sea of Japan where they are sometimes caught by bottom trawlers that are used for firefly squid fishing. Most of them are released back into the sea, so the public don’t get many chances to see them.
Shunya Taniguchi, a 17-year-old Kasumi High School student studying marine science, found the squid on Jan 12 during a training session. The creature was found between wave dissipating blocks near a boat shed.
“At first, I could only see part of its head and thought it was neon flying squid or something, but I was surprised when I got closer,” said Taniguchi.
After students examined the giant squid at school, the museum took it in and kept it frozen. On the day of the event, children touched and lifted the squid, saying: “It’s so heavy!” “So big,” “It’s got 10 legs,” and “So squishy.”
"Features" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Neko Pitcher
-
Fukuoka: Red Trolley Train Runs Through Mountainous Village; Passengers Get Once-in-a-Month Experience
-
2025 Expo Osaka : Visitors Enjoy Opportunity to Drink Alcoholic Beverages from Around the World
-
Giant Butterbur Harvest Peaks in Hokkaido;Edible Plant Grows Taller Than an Adult
-
‘Rice Meister’ Shares Tips on How to Cook Tasty Stockpiled Rice; Soaking, Adding Sake Among Tricks to Restore Old Rice
JN ACCESS RANKING
-
Aichi Rice Production Under Siege from Warming Climate; Record Heat Stunts Crop Growth, Causes Greater Pest Activity
-
Japanese Researchers Develop ‘Transparent Paper’ as Alternative to Plastics; New Material Is Biodegradable, Can Be Produced with Low Carbon Emissions
-
Trump: Nippon Steel Will Part Own U.S. Steel, U.S. to Be in Control; Share Distribution, Other Details Remain Unclear
-
Japan’s Core Inflation Hits More than 2-year High, Could Force Year-End BOJ Hike
-
Japan’s Cooperation in Alaska LNG Development Project Emerges in Japan-U.S. Tariff Negotiations; But Industry Concerns Exist