Nature in Tokyo: A Guide to Plants and Animals in and Around Tokyo

The scope and breadth of Japan's wildlife is stunningly diverse. Lush plant life and intriguing animal species abound, many of them unseen in the West outside of zoos and botanical gardens. Yet until now, little has been written about the subject. With humor, insight, and a smattering of Japanese folklore, American naturalist Kevin Short explores the intricacies of Japan's ecosystems with verve and a keen eye for the smallest detail.

Nothing escapes his scrutiny, from the flowering cycles of wild orchids to the unique breeding habits of the indigenous Japanese fire-bellied newt. Under Short's expert tutelage, we are taken on a guided tour of all the intricacies of native plant and animal life. The nocturnal mischief of Japan's raccoon dog, the mating rituals of the red dragonfly, the lush swirl of life on Tokyo's tidal flats and coastal marshes--all these come to life in Short's fascinating sketches.

Ample photographs and detailed drawings by the author accompany his stories and evoke the beauty of this nature-loving country. At the back of the book, parks and preserves are introduced for those who might choose to explore the Tokyo area themselves. But whether you are an adventurous explorer or simply an armchair nature-lover, this sweeping tour through the indigenous plant and animal life in around Tokyo will offer hours of enjoyable--and often eye-opening--reading.

Kevin Short has studied Japanese nature and culture for over 25 years. With a Ph.D. from Stanford in anthropology, Short specializes in traditional land and natural resource management practices. Over the past 10 years, he has established himself as one of Japan's leading naturalists. He writes a number of magazine and newspaper columns and has published several books in Japanese. Short currently divides his time between a residence in northern Chiba Prefecture, just outside of Tokyo, and one in Oceanside, California.