Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki

Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki
Photo／
Fukumaki Firefly Country

Fireflies, nature, flowers

(Fukumaki Hotaru-no-kuni)

Fukumaki Firefly Country: One of the leading scenic spots in the country.

(update on June 20th, 2022)
“The Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki” event will be held from July 1st to July 10th.
A shuttle bus is run to the venue during the period of this event. If you want to participate in this event, please make a reservation in advance. The application status is shown on the website.

In the town of Nichinan, there is a place called “Fukumaki”, meaning “A myriad of fortunes will come”. The name suggests that one may feel happiness just by visiting this place.

All of the fireflies in Fukumaki are wild fireflies. They may just bring you happiness if you catch sight of the approximately 20,000 Hime-bortaru fireflies, as well as the beautiful party of light display by the Genji-botaru fireflies that live here, as they gracefully dance over the river. Please visit Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki, one of the leading scenic spots not only in Nichinan, but in Japan.

Hime-botaru fireflies fill the mountain surface, while Genji-botaru fireflies dance elegantly in the sky produce a feast for your eyes.

Fukumaki is a rare firefly viewing site in Japan where both Hime-botaru and Genji-botaru can be seen simultaneously on a large scale. Hime-botaru are characterized by a light that flashes twice a second. The females stay on the ground, and the males 1-2 maters from the ground fly while emitting light. Genji-botaru are characterized by a light emission time of a few seconds longer than that of the Hime-botaru. Females stay on surfaces such as leaves, and males fly in the upper area near the waterside while emitting light. In Fukumaki, the Hime-botaru and Genji-botaru viewing areas are opposite each other. The peak time for each type of firefly may overlap once every few years. It is no exaggeration to say that this overwhelming scale and beauty is the only one in Japan.

The sales of “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki” Related Products

◎ “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki” Shop Sales location
At the Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki shuttle bus platform, you can buy T-shirts, postcards, various soft drinks. Boots rental is also available here for people who are concerned about snakes and bugs.

◎ “Nichinan Hinogawa no Sato Rest Stop” Sales Location
During the period of this event, you can buy some items. (T-shirts and postcards etc…)

◆Access

Please utilize the shuttle bus to and from “Nichinan Hinogawa no Sato Rest Stop”.
Shuttle buses run between here and “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki” to reduce the environmental impact of exhaust from automobiles in the vicinity of “Fukimaki Firefly Country”.　Please park your car at “Nichinan Hinogawa no Sato” and take the shuttle bus to get to “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki”.

Notice : the shuttle bus schedule will be posted to this homepage, as well as the Nichinan Tourism Facebook page “ossanshouo”.

If using public transportation, please alight at [JR Shoyama Station]. As of 2019, a new shuttle bus connecting the station to Michi-no-Eki Nichinan Hinokawa-no-Sato will run according to the JR Shoyama Station train arrival timings (approximately 5 minutes travel time).
We will post the bus timetable once it is been finalized. The bus will allow you to catch the last trains bound for Yonago Station and Niimi Station, so please make use of public transport.

◆Peak Season Information

The peak season at “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki” is usually from the end of June to the middle of July. Genji-botaru start flying at the end of June, and Hime-botaru start glowing in July. At around the time Genji-bortaru reach their peak and decline, Hime-botaru enter their prime. The Tanabata festival on July 7th is said to be the peak period for Hime-botaru. The best time to see fireflies is from 8pm to 9pm.

[Peak Season Information] Peak firefly season information below
①"Yamagami Regional Development Center"
*This is managed by members of local conservation organizations who are most familiar with “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki”.

②Facebook page「ossanshouo」
*Nichinan Tourism Association provides information on sightseeing and events in Nichinan.

◆Group tour

For guests who are planning to visit “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki” on a bus tour.
Parking space is limited for buses at “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki”, please refrain from parking or entering directly with your bus without letting us know in advance, as doing so will significantly disrupt the traffic in the area. If you are planning to see the fireflies on a bus tour, please contact us at the number below in advance.
We will reserve a parking space for you and work with you to coordinate the details of your visit. In addition, we will also do our best to make arrangements for your meals and lodging in this town as well as provide general support for sightseeing in Fukumaki.

◆Protection activities

The fireflies found in Fukumaki are provided by the “Yamagami Community Development Association” based in the Yamagami district of Nichinan. Members of this association work in this area to preserve the firefly`s ecosystem while making the surrounding comfortable for guests to view fireflies. To achive this,they are involved in clearing and mowing the observation routes to create the ideal environment for fireflies to thrive, switching off lights that outside buildings during the firefly`s active hours, and notifying the local police to suspend vehicle traffic along the observation routes (prefectural roads) to prevent car lights from disrupting the fireflies.

◆CAUTIONS

In the view of the efforts that have been taken to protect the fireflies, please take note of the following points when you enjoy the fireflies.

Rules to keep in mind when viewing the fireflies
1. Please do not use the light from cell phones, cars, camera flash, flashlights, etc.
2. Firefly`s eyes have developed to leave a descendant. Even a small amount of light can cause them to mistake partners, which will reduce their life.
3. Please refrain from using loud noises. As with light, fireflies are also sensitive to loud noises, which can shorten their lifespan.
4. Please do not use insect repellent or mosquito-repelling incence.
5. Do not catch fireflies. Fireflies are very short-lived and they cannot cope with changing habitats.
6. Please listen to the instructions. In order to preserve the chance to safely view fireflies every year, please be sure to listen to all the instructions.

Notes

Please do not use light from cell phones, car lights, camera strobes, flashlights, etc.
Fireflies' eyes have developed to take care of their offspring. Even a small amount of light can cause them to mistake mating partners, which will reduce their life span.
Please refrain from using loud voices or making loud noise.
As with light, fireflies are also sensitive to loud noises, which can shorten their lifespan.
Please do not use insect repellent sprays or mosquito coils.
This weakens the fireflies. If you are sensitive to insect bites, please adjust the length of your shirt sleeves.
Catching fireflies is prohibited.
Fireflies are very short-lived and delicate creatures that cannot cope with changing habitats.
Please listen to instructions from the staff on site.
In order to preserve the chance for everyone to safely view fireflies next year and for years after, please be sure to follow to the staff's instructions.

Entry
fee

In 2018, an entrance fee (preservation fee) of 500 yen was established.: These funds help us work to create an environment that everyone can appreciate, while protecting fireflies. (Free admission for students under high school age)

Firefly map

The distance of “Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki” is approximately 1.5km in length.

KagoOkiba parking lot
“Kago-okiba parking lot”
Here is a bus platform. Please use the shuttle bus to reduce traffic congestion and protect the environment.
Starting point
“Starting point”
If you find that Genji-botaru begin to fly between cedars, you will be excited naturally.
Kuhesangan
"Kuhesangan"
This is the first spot that you can see Hime-botaru. The number increase year by year.
KagoOkiba inside the castle Shop・toilet
"Information center and Shop and Toilet"
The bus is at the roundabout and shuttle buses and tourist buses can be reached here. There are also street stalls, toilets, and entry ticket counters. Wheelchair rental service is also available.
Firefly observation tree (680m)
"Firefly observation tree"
When the white flowers of the chestnut tree planted on the roadside are in full bloom, the Genji firefly will also be at its best. Hundreds of Genji firebugs dance in spots called Genji mansion on the other side.
Firefly Corridor entrance (700m)
"Firefly Corridor entrance"
This is the so-called “Firefly Corredor”. You can see Genji-Botaru on the river, Hime-botaru on the mountain. The figure that Hime-botaru and Genji-botaru fly in front of you make you feel a sense of prosperity of the Firefly Kingdom in Fukumaki.
Princess Palace (870m)
"Hime-goten(princess palace)"
According planned thinning, the forest is getting blite increasingly. Therefore the number of Hime-botaru is increasing. You can see lots of Hime-botaru in this spot.
Noro Yamaguchi (950m)
"Noro Yamaguchi"
You can see the full picture of the firefly corridor more clearly from this spot. On the other side of the river, you can see lots of Hime-botaru , but it is a private path and dangerous creatures such as viperslurk, please look from a distance.
Otohara Pass Observation Road (1060m)
"Otohara Pass Observation Road"
Hime-botaru in the dark are like the stars of the universe up close. The lights of Genji-botaru over the sky look like their melting into the star-filled sky. Enjoy the spectacular view!!
South Otemon (1350m)
"Minami Otemon"
It is finally close to the end of this Country. The sounds of frogs and the river heal your soul. While Hime-botaru are floating between the left and right side of the forest, they can see people walking in the dark as part of the forest.

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