Experience the "Night Satoyama Experience Firefly Watching Tour" activity at Mobility Resort Motegi!
Firefly viewing, known as a summer tradition, was held at
"Mobility Resort Motegi" located in Motegi Town, Haga District, Tochigi Prefecture.
This time, we will deliver a report on the experience of this activity.
What kind of activity is the
"Night Satoyama Experience Firefly Viewing Tour" held at Mobility Resort Motegi?
At Mobility Resort Motegi, there are many facilities that the whole family can enjoy, including motorsports and various attractions in Puto's MOBI PARK that children can enjoy. Among them, in the forest called "Hello Woods" located within Mobility Resort Motegi, various activities for experiencing nature are available.
During the period from late May to early July, when it becomes somewhat humid heading into summer from the rainy season, it is the season for firefly viewing, and at Mobility Resort Motegi, the "Night Satoyama Experience Firefly Viewing Tour" activity was held. In 2021, it took place on June 19, 26, and July 3.
Fireflies are delicate creatures, and their habitat is limited as they require a gently flowing river and the presence of their food source, the freshwater snail. Moreover, in recent years, river pollution, a decrease in freshwater snails, abnormal weather, and light pollution have all had an impact, leading to a declining trend in firefly populations.
Hello Woods Firefly Viewing
Now, regarding the experience at Hello Woods, the specialized staff carefully manages the forest, creating a habitat suitable for many living creatures, making it a comfortable environment for fireflies as well.
The fireflies, glowing in a bluish-green color as they dance in the sky, have been cherished by many people since ancient times. In today's brightly lit urban areas, opportunities to see such fireflies are quite rare. Therefore, being able to observe fireflies in a well-maintained, nature-rich environment is a valuable experience.
Additionally, this activity is accompanied by a creature expert who is knowledgeable about various living things. They will explain not only the ecology of the creatures but also how they were born, why they live in this forest, and where they are most commonly found.
Experience the "Night Satoyama Experience Firefly Viewing Tour"!
So, I actually experienced what the "Night Satoyama Experience Firefly Viewing Tour" is all about!
We gathered at Hello Woods at 17:30 and then moved to the rice field called "Hacchou Dragonfly's Terraced Rice Field" where the fireflies appear. At 17:30, it was still bright, so we observed the creatures in the rice field while scooping them up with nets until the fireflies appeared. The creatures that inhabit the rice field vary by season, but many creatures that only live in rice fields, such as dragonfly larvae and frogs, are lurking around. During this time in June, it seems that red dragonflies like Akiaakane and frogs like Tokyo Daruma Frog are present. On that day, the rice field was filled with the sounds of frogs croaking.
As time went by, the sun gradually set, and the fireflies began to gather. The blue-green glowing fireflies created a more fantastical atmosphere when seen in person, offering a space that is hard to experience in the city.
Fireflies communicate by glowing, and both males and females continue to emit light as part of their courtship behavior. It is said that although it is difficult to see with the naked eye, the intensity of the light differs between males and females.
Males have two light-emitting organs and fly around flashing strong light. On the other hand, females have one light-emitting organ and emit a weak light while staying still on grass or leaves, observing the males. When a male catches the attention of a female, they signal each other, and the male flies to the female, eventually leading to mating.
I learned about the ecology of these fireflies from a nature expert accompanying us. Observing the fireflies while listening to the explanation may lead to even more interesting discoveries.
The number of glowing fireflies gradually decreases, peaking at 8 PM. The timing of the fireflies' glow is divided by time, with the first glow occurring between 7 PM and 8 PM, and the second glow between 11 PM and 1 AM, glowing several times in total.
Activities are available until 9 PM when the fireflies' light begins to fade, and the three and a half hours passed by in no time.
As one of nature's phenomena, this was my first time experiencing such a magical event, making it a very valuable experience.
Fireflies are not often seen. Depending on the timing, they may not appear, so it was very lucky.
At Mobility Resort Motegi, the season is from late May to early July every year, so if you're interested, why not pay a visit?
