Health ministry warns hikers of deadly mushrooms that look like edible varieties

The Japanese health ministry has issued a warning for people planning to forage in the mountains, emphasizing that several poisonous mushrooms closely resemble edible varieties and can be lethal. Data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare show more than 540 poisoning cases between 2015 and 2025, with some deaths recorded. Notable dangerous species include tsukiyotake, which is often mistaken for shiitake or oyster mushrooms, and kusaurabenitake, which can be confused with honshimeji and hatakeshimeji.

Additional lethal mushrooms such as tengutake (panther cap) and dokutsurutake (destroying angel) are also mentioned. The ministry stresses that online photos are unreliable for identification and recommends that uncertain mushrooms should not be collected, eaten, sold, or given away, and that anyone experiencing symptoms should obtain medical attention promptly.