The highest altitude habitat of Genji-botaru fireflies
【Best season : Beginning of July to Middle of August】
【Best hours : about 19:30 – 20:30】
Genji-botaru is firefly that lives only in Japan. It is a large firefly that spends its larval stage underwater, a rare ecology in the world, and its adult life span is long, with a long light flicker cycle. There are about 2000 different fireflies in the world but only few of them live underwater during their larval stage.
Shiga Kogen Ishino-yu is located at about 1,650m above sea level, the highest altitude habitat of Genji-botaru in Japan. Because of its rare environment, it is designated as a national natural treasure.
Please read the following cautions
One of the most basic manners of nature observation is do not disturb other living creatures. Visitors may just want to see the light of fireflies, but where fireflies live, other creatures also inhabit. The coexistence of these various creatures protects this natural and precious place. If you disturb other creatures to see fireflies, you will change the environment of the area and make it a difficult place for fireflies to live. Please appreciate the light of fireflies quietly.
*To protect fireflies, other animals and plants, please do not bring pets into the Firefly Park.
Please do not go into or too close to the river.
Fireflies live in the river and around the riverbanks during their growth process. If you get too close to the river and step on grasses or stones, you may step on firefly eggs or larvae, or drop them into the river.
Throwing stones into the river is a serious nuisance not only to fireflies, but also to any other creatures living in or near the river. We would like you to know that a simple mischievous act can cause serious damage to the plants and animals that live here.
Please don’t interrupt firefly conversations. They do not like artificial light.
Fireflies communicate with their lights, it is the language they are using. In the dark, the female and male use light to talk to each other. For example, the glow of a “flash light” is the male calling out to the female, “I love you”.
Therefore, they strongly dislike artificial light (car lights, flashlights, torches, cell phone and smart phone display light, etc.) that prevents them from talking to each other. When visiting fireflies, please don’t use any equipment or other devices that may affect firefly ecology.
【Ishinoyu Genji botaru Park】
【Parking】