Share This Article Pets, Not PestsIn the US, if you see a giant black bug, you probably scream and grab a shoe. Bugs are not popular pets. But in Japan, big, shiny, hard-shelled bugs are the ultimate summer obsession for children. They are considered cool, like tiny armored superheroes. The Kings of the ForestThe two most popular superstars are “Kabutomushi” (Rhinoceros Beetles) with their giant horns, and “Kuwagata” (Stag Beetles) with their sharp pincers. In the countryside, kids wake up at 5:00 AM, go into the dark forest, and put honey on tree trunks to catch them in the wild. … Continue reading Why Do Japanese Kids Buy Bugs at Department Stores? (The Beetle Obsession)