Giant squid swims to surface at harbour in Japan

Onlookers were stunned by the sight of a giant squid which swam around a harbour in Japan for several hours on Christmas Eve.

The 3.7m-long squid was spotted by fishermen at Toyama Bay harbour.

It is extremely rare for the huge sea creatures, which can grow up to 13m in size, to approach the surface.

Local dive shop owner Akinobu Kimura told CNN he joined the squid in the water and led it back out to the sea.

"My curiosity was way bigger than fear, so I jumped into the water and [went] close to it," he said.

"This squid was not damaged and looked lively, spurting ink and trying to entangle his tentacles around me."