The pet of choice in Japan, as much as cuddly kitties and playful puppies, is the humble bug.

Beyond novelty, insects are embraced as living companions.

That bond is particularly visible at events like “The Great Insect Exhibition” in Tokyo. It's an urban setting where the natural world is temporarily brought indoors.

Among the most admired is the Hercules beetle.

Once native to Latin America and the Caribbean, it’s now bred and kept in Japan.

Though only several inches long, its armour-like shell and spiked horns give it a presence that fascinates children and collectors alike.

Ren Hisamatsu, a 7-year-old visitor, says: “When I put it on my hand, it grabbed on really tightly. It was kind of scary.”

For many, the chance to touch and hold insects makes the experience real - something more visceral than books or screens.

Ren Hisamatsu a young visitors, says: “This fuzzy part is kind of slippery, so it’s hard to hold.”

These moments are messy, unpredictable and that’s part of the point.

Mio Suzuki, a staff member at the exhibition, says: “Our aim was to provide an opportunity for children—especially those who have never had the chance to interact with real insects in an urban setting—to directly experience and learn about them.”

Rather than separating people from nature, the goal is to shrink the distance and offer encounters that are tactile, emotional, and immediate.

Suzuki adds: “Sometimes when you take them off a tree, their legs can come off quite easily. That shows the fragility of life, and teaches us that we need to handle them with care. I think that kind of realisation offers a different kind of enjoyment compared to a zoo.”

Here, bugs aren’t just seen. They’re won, bought, and taken home.

Some rare species fetch high prices, with insects offered in lotteries or sold as live specimens.

Toyoji Suzuki, an organiser of the exhibition, says: “From now on, insects are likely to decrease more and more. If insects were to disappear, it could even lead to problems like food shortages. That’s why we want even very young children to become familiar with insects—to touch them and enjoy the experience.”

This early contact is no accident.

Japan’s connection to insects is cultivated from childhood, with education systems and media reinforcing curiosity from an early age.

AP video shot by Selim Chtayti

Production by Yuri Kageyama and Mayuko Ono