A massive squid measuring over 12 feet was spotted swimming near a Japanese harbor on Christmas Eve. A curious diver jumped in for a close-up encounter, capturing stunning underwater footage.
Giant squids, the elusive deep-sea dwellers often thought to exist only in myths or marine documentaries, are very real—and sometimes make surprise appearances in unexpected places. One such rare sighting happened on Christmas Eve in Toyama Bay, a coastal area in central Japan, where a giant squid swam unusually close to the surface. The creature, estimated at around 12 feet (3.7 meters) long, was spotted swimming under fishing boats near a harbor. Although adult giant squids can grow up to 43 feet (13 meters), this individual appeared to be a juvenile. Witnesses on the pier watched in awe as the squid lingered in the bay for several hours before heading back toward deeper waters.
Local dive shop owner Akinobu Kimura didn’t hesitate when he saw the giant squid. Driven by fascination more than fear, Kimura donned his gear and jumped into the water to swim alongside the creature. He captured stunning footage with a submersible camera. “My curiosity was way bigger than fear, so I jumped into the water and got close to it,” Kimura told CNN. “This squid was not damaged and looked lively, spurting ink and trying to entangle his tentacles around me. I guided the squid toward the ocean, several hundred meters from where it was found, and it disappeared into the deep sea.”
This unusual visit was the first recorded sighting of a giant squid in the area this season. According to Yuki Ikushi, curator at the Uozu Aquarium, last season saw 16 Architeuthis squids—giant squid—caught in fishing nets between November and March. “We might see more this season,” Ikushi told CNN, “but it’s very rare for them to be found swimming around the moorings of fishing boats.” The footage has since been uploaded to YouTube, showcasing a breathtaking glimpse of one of the ocean’s most mysterious creatures. With squid season underway, marine enthusiasts are hoping for more sightings like this remarkable encounter.
