The Japanese word for lizard is tokage and a gecko is called yamori. Find the translations for various species below.
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| Romanji | Kanji | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lizard トカゲ | Tokage | 蜥蜴 | |
| Frilled lizard エリマキトカゲ | Erimaki tokage | 襟巻き蜥蜴 | |
| Gecko ヤモリ | Yamori | 守宮 | |
| Ryukyu tree lizard キノボリトカゲ | Kinobori tokage | 木登蜥蜴 | |
| Japanese grass lizard カナヘビ | Kanahebi | 金蛇 | |
| Japanese giant salamander オオサンショウウオ | Ōsanshōuo | 大山椒魚 | |
| Horned lizard ツノトカゲ | Tsuno tokage | 角蜥蜴 |
Interesting facts about lizards in Japan
There are various types of lizards found in Japan with most of them on the Okinawa Islands. Only three species live on the four main islands but you will mostly find them in the rural areas / countryside and not in the cities. One of these lizard species – the Japanese Giant Salamander – is the third largest salamander in the world as it grows to a length of 5 feet and weighs around 55 pounds (25 kg) on average.