Do Flying Squirrels Live in Japan? Where to See Them at Night

In Japan, there are squirrels that seem to fly.
They appear in the forest at night and glide silently between trees.

The first time I saw one, I thought, “What was that?”
It wasn’t a bird. A large shadow moved across the trees without a sound.

That animal is called the Japanese giant flying squirrel.
In Japan, the animals known as “flying squirrels” include:

• Japanese giant flying squirrel
• Japanese dwarf flying squirrel
• Siberian flying squirrel (Hokkaido)

Learn more about this species here:
▶ Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista leucogenys)

Do flying squirrels live in Japan?

Yes, they do.
Japan has several species of gliding squirrels.

The most noticeable is the Japanese giant flying squirrel.
But they don’t actually fly like birds.

They glide using a thin membrane of skin between their legs.

The giant flying squirrel of Japan

The Japanese giant flying squirrel is surprisingly large.
When it spreads its body, it can glide smoothly through the air.

What stands out most is how quiet it is.
It moves without a sound and disappears into another tree.

In a dark forest, it feels almost unreal.

What it feels like to see one

I saw one for the first time at dusk in a forest.
Something jumped from a tree, and I thought it was a bird.

But the movement felt wrong.
It didn’t flap. It glided sideways.

That moment made me realize what it was.
It was bigger than I expected—and honestly impressive.

Do they really fly?

Not exactly.
Flying squirrels glide, not fly.

They jump from a high tree and use their skin membrane to move through the air.
Some can glide 30 to 80 meters in one jump.

That’s why they look like they’re flying.

Where can you see them in Japan?

Location matters a lot.
Flying squirrels prefer places with tall, mature trees.

Look for areas like:

• Old forests with large trees
• Shrine forests
• Forests with tree holes
• Dense woodland with a high canopy

These places give them space to glide and places to hide.

When are they active?

Flying squirrels are nocturnal.
They are active from evening to night.

The best time to see them is just after sunset.
If you stay quiet and watch carefully, you might spot one.

Why most people never see them

Even though they live in Japan, most people never see one.

That’s because:

• They are active at night
• They stay high in the trees
• They move very quietly
• They rest in tree holes

You could be in the same forest and never notice them.

Smaller flying squirrels in Japan

Japan also has smaller species of flying squirrels.

The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel lives in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.
The Siberian flying squirrel lives in Hokkaido.

They are much smaller and look very cute.
But they glide in the same way.

Conclusion

Yes, flying squirrels live in Japan.
The most well-known is the Japanese giant flying squirrel.

If you visit a quiet forest at night, you might see one.
And if you do, it’s something you won’t forget.

Related Articles

If you want to explore more wildlife in Japan, check out these guides:

→ Wildlife in Japan: Complete Guide
→ Animals You Can See Around Japanese Cities
→ Dangerous Animals in Japan: What You Should Know