Tag: nature | RocketNews24

nature

Japan’s Lesser Known Natural Treasures: A Photo Journey

May 3, 2013 by Master Blaster
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When people think of Japan they often think of Hello Kitty, portable watermelon fridges, or haircuts that look like tomatoes. It’s a country often under-appreciated for all the nature it has to offer.

It being the Golden Week holidays here in Japan and time to kick back, we’re going to take you on a whirlwind tour of the nation, making stops at some of the most beautiful natural areas around. These places range from local favorites and national treasures, to some places even Japanese people aren’t aware of.

We’ll be working our way right down to the Ryukyu region, but let’s begin our photo journey at the northernmost tip of the country in the vast, unspoiled wilderness that is Hokkaido…

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Huge Crack Opens in Shizuoka Hill, No Sign of Legions of Hell… Yet

Apr 23, 2013 by Jessica
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A 150-meter long crack has suddenly widened on the ground of a Shizuoka Prefecture tea farm, while officials evacuated six local households over fears of a landslide. Read More

Stowaway Fish Survives 5,000-Mile Journey from Japan to America

Apr 10, 2013 by Philip Kendall
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Testament to the strength and versatility of nature, a fish that became caught in the bait box of a small fishing boat swept away by the tsunami that struck the northeast coast of Japan in 2011 has been discovered alive and well on the coast of Washington State.

Mar 21, 2013 by Jessica
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Nature is not shy. She loves to let it all hang out, and there might be no better example of this in the botanical world than Orchis simia, otherwise known as the Monkey Orchid, whose petals look like little naked men, complete with big ol’ schlongs. Read More

Waves Frozen in Place on Lake Kizaki, Nagano Prefecture

Feb 8, 2013 by Michelle
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Winter. It’s cold and miserable most days, but every so often the freezing winds produce something magical that is awesome enough to take your mind off of your frozen toes. This is one of those things.

Dec 11, 2012 by Master Blaster
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As a child I used to love going into the nearby field and searching for new insects. In my area the ultimate prize was a praying mantis, however, like most people, as I grew I came to be more and more uncomfortable around things with more than four legs.

For those of us with an acquired distaste for insects, RocketNews24 is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Insect Academy Awards. It’s a great way to reconnect with a whole planet of those magical little creatures we used to love.

And for those of your who are hardwired to hate things with dozens of eyes, these winners might just change your feelings. To help get you warmed up we’ll kick of the awards ceremony with the “Cutest” award.

Nov 24, 2012 by Philip Kendall
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Now here’s something you don’t see every day.

Not wanting to be outdone by the pure white heart fish spotted in Ishikawa prefecture, representing the skies this week is a pure white crow spotted in the Chūgoku region of Japan. With dazzling white feathers and clear blue eyes, this feathered fellow has even managed to find his way into the local media.

Sep 15, 2012 by Steven
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Back in August, group of our most daring reporters ventured out of Tokyo and into the wilderness to climb Mt. Fuji. Last week, weshared their report of the top 3 meal of Mt. Fuji , but it turns out there was another noteworthy occurrence that day.

At around 6 pm, just as the sun began to set, our heroes gathered their spirits and began the long hike down from the peak of the mountain. As they surveyed the sea of clouds that spread out before them one last time, one of our reporters noticed a dark triangle off in the distance.

The sun setting behind the mountain on one side; a triangular shadow cast over a canopy of clouds on the other side; our reporters were witnessing the fabled “Shadow Fuji!”

Sep 13, 2012 by Steven
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The strange blue creature in the photo above may look like a monster from a Japanese RPG, but is actually a real animal—the Glaucus atlanticus sea slug, to be exact.

Commonly known as the blue dragon or blue sea slug, this beautiful little mollusk can be found off the coast of South Africa, Australia and Mozambique, floating on the surface tension of the water.

Glaucus atlanticus got quite a bit of attention on the internet in April after a stunning up-close photo was posted to imigur (above). While we only just stumbled upon the blue dragon today, the moment we saw it we had the feeling this wasn’t the first time we had seen a sea slug that looked like something out of a fantasy world.

That’s right! I choose you, thecacera pacifica!

Sep 5, 2012 by Steven
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Every year, thousands of climbers make the trek up Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan and symbol of the country. Three of our wilderness-loving editors joined their ranks last month, persevering through bad weather, poor physical condition and light injury until they reached the peak.

If there was one thing that kept them from giving up it was the mountain huts lining the trail leading up to the summit. Here our adventurers were able to rest their weary legs and enjoy a hearty meal to refuel their stomachs and spirits.

“There was a surprising amount of variety and almost everything we ate was delicious,” writes one of our reporters.

It seems mountain cuisine is also one of the perks of climbing Fuji—but what’s on the menu? Check below for our trailblazing trio’s report on the food of Mt. Fuji!

Mar 2, 2012 by Steven
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Japan is home to a number of terrifying insects, such as the mukade, a giant venmous centipede with a sting that can be fatal to children and the elderly, or the suzumebachi (Asian Giant Hornet), which actually kills a handful of people every year.

But perhaps no insect in Japan is feared more than the kamemushi, commonly referred to in English as the stinkbug. While you can easily drop centipedes and hornets with a good dose of pesticide or a well-timed smack of the shoe, it is in death that kamemushi is feared the most.

You see, when you kill a stinkbug, it stinks. It stinks a lot, which is why most Japanese people gently pick them up with a tissue and throw them outside or roll them up in tape so they can’t move and dispose of them in the trash.

Recently, a team of amateur Japanese “researchers” decided to make that unholy stink of the stinkbug the subject of their latest study, which asks the question: “Can kamemushi be knocked unconscious by the smell of their own fart?

Feb 15, 2012 by Jessica
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On March 11, an unprecedentedly large earthquake struck northern Japan, marking 2011 as a disastrous year for the Japanese. This video shows the fierce power of that quake and the cascade of aftershocks that came in the months to follow as nothing less than horrific. Read More

Sea Slug Bears Striking Resemblance To Pikachu, Rightfully Known As ‘Pikachu Sea Slug’ in Japan

Jan 24, 2012 by Steven
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Until recently, it was generally believed that the design for Pikachu was based on the mouse.

However, recent Japanese research suggests that Pikachu may have actually been modeled off thecacera pacifica, a species of sea slug found in the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.

Nov 26, 2011 by Mac Denny
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Did you know that Japan has 16 locations on the list of UNESCO World Heritages? Could you name them all with any sum of money on the line?

Survey Research Center, Co. Ltd. conducted a survey that showed that most people could not. When asked whether they were interested in Japan’s world heritages, 67.8% of those surveyed responded affirmatively. However, only 4% of respondents knew all 16 Japanese sites.

See how many you can name before looking at the list below: