Odate City is currently breeding the endangered Japanese crayfish, a species endemic to Japan. [Akita Prefecture]

Japanese crayfish, found only north of Odate

The Japanese crayfish is a crayfish native to Japan, and lives in the cool, clean rivers and lakes of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Akita prefectures.

Odate City is said to be the southernmost limit for Japanese crayfish has been designated a national natural monument (area) as a "crayfish habitat" is working on a "crayfish habitat" these efforts are currently on display at the Odate Local Museum

Several habitats for Japanese crayfish have been found in Odate City, but their locations have not been made public

Originally, the only crayfish found in Japan was the Japanese crayfish, so in ancient times it was not called the Japanese crayfish, but simply called crayfish. In kanji it is written as gravel crab " Crayfish were "crabs that live in gravel" (though Wikipedia and other sources have other theories, so please refer to them).

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Crayfish were imported from the United States for food and have proliferated

Around 1927, when only Japanese crayfish were available in Japan, American crayfish were imported from New Orleans to be used as feed for bullfrog farming, which was edible

Bullfrogs are also native to America and were imported to alleviate the food shortage from the Taisho to early Showa periods, but they never gained popularity as food, and farming ceased before the Pacific War

The bullfrog farm was abandoned, and along with the remaining bullfrogs, the American crayfish also multiplied rapidly due to their strong reproductive ability, eventually escaping the farm and quickly expanding their habitat

Currently, American crayfish can be found all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. They are about 15 cm long, red or reddish-brown in color, and are found in abundance in freshwater rice paddies and waterways, and can survive in any poor quality water

In 2023, a conditional alien species , and it is now prohibited to release it into ponds or other places without permission, or to sell, distribute, purchase, or import it (it is not prohibited to keep it at home or give it away free of charge).

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The signal crayfish was imported from Canada for consumption and is gradually expanding its habitat

There is another invasive species of crayfish in Japan, the signal crayfish, which lives mainly in Hokkaido

The signal crayfish is a crayfish found in Canada and northern America, and can grow up to 15 cm in length. It is greenish-brown in color. It was imported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1926 for consumption, and was successfully cultivated in Lake Mashu, Hokkaido. However, it was not successful as a food source, and due to its strong reproductive ability and aggressive nature, it became wild and spread throughout Hokkaido

Their aggressive nature, often involving cannibalism, poses a threat to Japanese crayfish and other native aquatic animals in Japan. In the 2000s, they were confirmed to be living in Chiba Prefecture, as well as Fukushima, Tochigi, Nagano, and Shiga Prefectures

The signal crayfish is designated as a specified invasive alien species are included in the "100 worst invasive alien species in Japan."

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Attacked by the American crayfish from the south and the signal crayfish from the north, the Japanese crayfish is on the verge of extinction

Japanese crayfish are about 4 to 7 cm long, and are smaller than American crayfish and signal crayfish, which can grow up to 15 cm, with rounded shells and bodies with little waist. Their basic color is brown, but this can vary depending on the individual, and it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish them from other crayfish

Japanese crayfish have a very gentle nature and do not attack other crayfish. However, their habitat is narrow, stretching from northern Tohoku to Hokkaido, and they have a low reproductive capacity, so their habitat is being invaded by aggressive invasive species, putting them at risk of extinction. If you come across a Japanese crayfish while out walking, please report it to the Odate Local Museum

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The Odate Local Museum exhibits the city's historical heritage and traditional crafts, and promotes conservation of natural monuments

The Odate Local Museum, which continues to protect and breed Japanese crayfish, is a facility that houses a large collection of materials related to the ancient history of the Odate region, as well as agriculture, forestry, mining, and nature, as well as historical heritage and traditional local crafts, some of which can be exhibited and learned about.

"Magewappa" crafts which are said to have originated in the Odate region , and has a large number of permanent exhibits, including Magewappa excavated from ruins from the Heian period, as well as everyday items and works of art.

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Magewappa was made by feudal domains during the Edo period as a side job for samurai

The Odate region the Shirakami Production Area, a World Heritage Site , and is home to a vast forest of natural Akita cedars along with beech forests. It is said that the production of bento boxes using Akita cedars became popular during the Edo period when the Satake Nishi family, who were the castellans of Odate Castle in the Kubota Domain (Akita Domain), encouraged lower-ranking samurai to make them as a side job.

Thin strips of cedar bark are peeled off and soaked in hot water, then bent once softened and finally sewn with wild cherry bark to secure the pieces in place. Today, bento boxes are the most popular product, but back then, various everyday items such as trays and ladles were also made

Magewappa, which are now featured in Akita Ondo songs, were designated as a national traditional craft in 1980 (Showa 55). Although it takes a little time, there are workshops in the city where you can experience making your own bento box. If you are interested, please contact the Odate Magewappa Cooperative Association

Odate Local Museum <Information>

• Facility name: Odate Local Museum
• Address: 1 Shishigamori, Shakanai, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-43-7133
• Opening hours: 9:00-16:30
• Admission fee: Adults 330 yen, high school and university students 220 yen, elementary and junior high school students 110 yen, preschoolers free
• Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday) / December 29th to January 3rd
• URL: Odate Local Museum
• access
  • Train: Approximately 10 minutes by bus from Odate Station on the Ou Main Line, or approximately 3 minutes on foot from Shishigamori bus stop
  • By car: Approximately 4 minutes from Odate Kita IC on the Akita Expressway

GOOGLE MAP

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Odate Magewappa Cooperative Association <Information>

• Odate Magewappa Cooperative
• Address: 5-A Nakamachi, Odate City, Akita Prefecture
• Phone number: 0186-49-5221
• URL: Odate Magewappa Cooperative

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