Summer Tradition! What is the precious environment where you can see fireflies?
The fireflies, a symbol of summer in Japan.
Recently, places where you can enjoy watching fireflies have become limited, making it difficult to see them.
What kind of environment is suitable for seeing fireflies?
Fireflies are
in what kind of environment seen?
Fireflies are rarely seen in urban areas, but globally, it is said that about 2,000 species inhabit tropical regions, and in Japan, about 50 species of fireflies can be found. The most popular ones nationwide are the "Heike Firefly" and the "Genji Firefly," and some of you may have heard their names. These fireflies are delicate creatures and can only live in limited environments. So, what kind of environment do fireflies thrive in?
Every year around June, female fireflies lay eggs, which hatch in about a month. After that, during the larval stage lasting 9 to 10 months, they live in rivers. Therefore, one condition is that the river must have clean water and gentle flow. Additionally, since fireflies feed on a type of snail called "kawanina," it is also important for kawanina to inhabit the river. When fireflies transition from larvae to pupae, it is crucial that the soil is suitable for fireflies and free from chemical fertilizers.
Thus, because several conditions must be met for fireflies to inhabit an area, various management activities are conducted in different regions. For example, in some areas, efforts are made to secure flying spaces for adult fireflies, moderate tree cutting to increase kawanina, cleaning up fallen leaves, and mowing grass to create a more hospitable environment for fireflies.
Habitat of Fireflies
Recently, due to river pollution and the use of pesticides, the food source for fireflies, called Kawashita, has been decreasing. Additionally, abnormal weather events such as typhoons and heavy rainfall, along with the lack of darkness in urban areas, have led to a declining population of fireflies. As a result, the habitats where fireflies can be found are limited, making them very precious creatures.
Furthermore, the environment where fireflies can be seen is influenced by conditions such as climate, season, and time of day. Fireflies are typically at their best from late May to late June during the rainy season, and their lifespan is only about one to two weeks, so the time they can be seen is very limited. They prefer warm temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius and dark places, so cloudy nights without moonlight are ideal. It is said that they often do not appear on days with poor weather conditions, such as rainy, windy, or cold days.
Fireflies emit light while flying around, with the first peak occurring between 7 PM and 8 PM, and the second peak around 10 PM to 11 PM.
Firefly viewing available
What are the spots in Kanto?
There are limited spots where you can enjoy firefly viewing, but one of the places in the Kanto region is "Mobility Resort Motegi" located in Motegi Town, Haga District, Tochigi Prefecture.
Here, you can enjoy various experiences for the whole family, including "parks" with motorsports and athletic activities for children.
Activities that allow for nature experiences
Among them, at "Hello Woods," where you can enjoy nature experiences, specialized staff carefully manage the environment, ensuring a safe and secure experience. At Hello Woods, there is an activity called the "Evening Satoyama Experience: Firefly Viewing Tour."
In this activity, participants gather at Hello Woods at 5:30 PM and enjoy searching for creatures in the rice fields while it's still light, followed by a chance to observe fireflies in the rice fields at Hello Woods until 9 PM, for a total of three and a half hours. There will also be explanations about fireflies from knowledgeable staff, allowing you to learn about their ecology while observing them. Additionally, you can observe other creatures that inhabit the rice fields.
At Hello Woods, where the environment is suitable for fireflies, there are many other nature experience activities available, so if you're interested, please be sure to check them out.
Fireflies prefer beautiful places and can only live under limited conditions.
Therefore, it is necessary to protect the environment where fireflies can thrive.
In order to enjoy firefly viewing for a long time,
it would be nice to savor the summer scenery while being mindful not to threaten the environment that fireflies prefer.
