In Japanese, the word for goose is ‘gachou’. Japanese plurals work differently than in English, and in many cases, the same word is used to refer to both singular and plural forms of a noun. In the case of ‘gachou,’ it can be used to refer to one goose or multiple geese.
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| Romanji | Kanji | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Goose ガチョウ | Gachou | 鵞鳥 | |
| Wild goose カリガネ | Karigane | 雁が音 | |
| White-fronted goose マガン | Magan | 真雁 | |
| Snow goose ハクガン | Hakugan | 白雁 | |
| Canada goose カナダガン | Kanada gan | None |
Interesting facts about geese in Japan
You will find a variety of different species of geese throughout Japan, many of which are migratory birds that travel to Japan from Siberia. In the late 1800s, the population of geese in Japan began to decline due to over-hunting. However, thanks to conservation efforts, their numbers have increased significantly in recent years.
The majority of geese found in Japan are white-fronted geese, which are winter visitors. They arrive in September and stay until March, and can be seen throughout the country in parks, gardens, and as well as other public spaces.
They are also regularly depicted in Japanese art and are associated with good fortune and longevity.
Read more about it here.