The
Japanese shrew mole or
Himizu (
ヒミズ) (
Urotrichus talpoides) is a species of
mammal in the family
Talpidae. It is
endemic to Japan and is found on
Honshu,
Shikoku,
Kyushu,
Awaji Island,
Shodo Island,
Oki Islands,
Tsushima Island,
Goto Islands, Mishima Island (Yamaguchi Prefecture), and
Awashima Island (Niigata Prefecture), but is absent from
Hokkaido. It is one of three
Urotrichini and it is the only species in the genus
Urotrichus. It is common between sea level and approximately 2,000 m.