Upogebia major (Japanese Mud Shrimp) is a burrowing decapod, resembling a small lobster, ocurring in intertidal and shallow subtidal mudflats, where its burrows can be 2 m deep, and are Y-shaped with two entrances.

Upogebia major (de Haan 1841, Japanese Mud Shrimp) is a burrowing shrimp which superficially resembles a small lobster, with large claws on the front pair of legs. The exoskeleton is weakly calcified, with a parchment-like texture. The rostrum is smoothly rounded and lacks ventral teeth, but has two ocular spines, and ends in three teeth.

The mud shrimp Upogebia major (De Haan, 1841) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Gebiidea) is an important species widely distributed in coastal shallow waters. As an active initiation species, it has contributed significantly to the maintenance of coastal benthic biodiversity.