The Japanese word for fox is kitsune (traditional Japanese) and fokkusu (English loanword).
JapanesePod101.com – The Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Guaranteed
| Romanji | Kanji | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fox きつね | Kitsune | 狐 | |
| Fox (English loanword) ホエール | Fokkusu | None | |
| Fox cub こぎつね | Ko gitsune | 子ぎつね | |
| Yōko A supernatural fox from Japanese mythology ようこ | Yōko | 妖狐 | |
| Kyūbinokitsune A nine-tailed fox from Japanese mythology that tricks humans きゅうびのきつね | Kyūbinokitsune | 九尾の狐 | |
| Arctic fox ほっきょくぎつね | Hokkyokugitsune | 北極狐 |
Interesting facts about foxes in Japan
What do foxes symbolize in Japan?
Foxes are a very common theme in Japanese history and religious mythology and are highly intelligent and cunning supernatural entities that are able to shapeshift. Inari is a very popular deity in the Shinto religion and represents prosperity, general well-being and rice.
Are there foxes in Japan?
There are red foxes in Japan. They can be found in the rural parts of the country but the best place to see them up close is at the Zao Fox Village near Shiroishi.