View of ‘flowing otter’ returns to delight visitors at zoo near Tokyo

Tsutsuji, an Asian small-clawed otter, splashes water as she moves along the waterway at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, July 23, 2025. (Mainichi/Takashi Ishizuka)

ICHIKAWA, Chiba — The popular “flowing otter” attraction has made a comeback at a local zoo here to the delight of visitors.

The scenes of otters playing in slidelike water channels once disappeared at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, but can be seen again this year. Visitors let out exclamations of “cute” and “looks refreshing” as they watched an otter splashing and gliding down the channels into its pool.

The zoo has installed half-pipe water channels in the Asian small-clawed otter enclosure. The otter appears to float along with the flowing water, reminiscent of the Japanese summer tradition of “nagashi somen” (flowing noodles), so this has been called “nagashi kawauso” (flowing otter) at the zoo.

A zookeeper devised this attraction in 2012 to alleviate stress for the otters while also entertaining visitors. Otters have a habit of running around narrow waterways. By creating a gentle slope and T-shaped waterway with steps, the curious otters began to play frequently.

However, otters have their preferences. About two years ago, when one otter that enjoyed the waterway passed away, the others showed little interest, ending the “flowing otter” era.

Tsutsuji, an Asian small-clawed otter, stands upright in the waterway at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, July 23, 2025. (Mainichi/Takashi Ishizuka)

In February to March this year, two new otters joined the zoo for breeding purposes. One of them, Tsutsuji, a 5-year-old female borrowed from Nasu Animal Kingdom in Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, took a liking to the waterway and has been playing in it frequently since about a month ago, as the weather became hot.

The opportunity to see the “flowing otter” depends on the animal’s mood. Zookeeper Shumpei Miyakoshi, 33, noted, “Usually, feeding time is around 1:30 p.m., and she often runs around before and after that, which is a good chance to see the ‘flowing otter.'”

Asian small-clawed otters, measuring 40 to 60 centimeters in length, inhabit river regions in Southeast Asia and southern China. They feed on crustaceans, frogs and fish, living in family-centered groups. They are listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. They are also included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention, prohibiting their export and import for nonscientific purposes.

Ichikawa City Zoo is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on Mondays. Admission is 440 yen (about $3) for adults, 110 yen for elementary and junior high school students, and free for preschoolers. For inquiries, contact the zoo at 047-338-1960 (in Japanese).

(Japanese original by Takashi Ishizuka, Chiba Bureau)

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