In Okinawa Prefecture, Iriomote Island and Ishigaki Island, there is a beautiful scenery that can be seen only during a limited period of time in a year.
It is the scene of the smallest firefly in Japan, Yaeyama Firefly ("Yaeyama Himebotaru" ヤエヤマヒメボタル in Japanese), which appears from late February to late April.
This fantastic sight of fireflies can be seen by participating in tours.
The beautiful and fantastic scene created by Yaeyama Fireflies has become popular through social media and word of mouth, and many tourists visit Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island for the season, and the tours during the peak season are filled to capacity immediately.
In this article, I, a resident of Iriomote Island, will introduce the beauty of Yaeyama fireflies and the reason for their popularity!
- The Dancing Yaeyama Fireflies Are Nature’s Own Illuminations
- Ecology of the Yaeyama Firefly
- Habitat of the Yaeyama Firefly
- Conditions for the Appearance of Yaeyama Fireflies
- What to Look out for When You Go to See the Yaeyama Fireflies
- We Recommend Taking a Tour to See the Yaeyama Fireflies
- Don’t Forget to Take in the Sunset Scenery
The Dancing Yaeyama Fireflies Are Nature’s Own Illuminations
Yaeyamahime fireflies are the smallest fireflies in Japan measuring around 2 to 4 mm in length. They are seen in Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
In Japan, fireflies are usually seen from May to late June, but on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands, where the weather is warmer, they can be seen from late February to late April.
The peak season for Yaeyama fireflies varies from year to year, but is mainly from mid-March to late March, when many tourists visit the area to see them for themselves.
The Yaeyama fireflies begin to glow at sunset and disappear after only about 30 minutes.
The time of year and the time of day when they can be seen are truly limited.
And the fireflies glowing in such a short time are very fantastic.
If you are planning to visit Okinawa during this season, you should definitely consider signing up for an activity tour.
Ecology of the Yaeyama Firefly
The Yaeyama firefly is the smallest firefly in Japan, measuring 2 to 4 mm in length.
It takes one year for a larva to mature into an adult, and the life span of an adult is only 5 to 7 days, during which time they find a partner and mate.
One of the reasons fireflies glow is because females and males find each other partners.
Females have no wings and cannot fly, so they glow on the ground. To make it easier for the male to find them, they emit a stronger light than the male.
The lights we see dancing in the air like illuminations are the males.
Yaeyama fireflies flash quickly in 0.3 to 0.5 second cycles.
This is why you see a line of short bursts of light when you photograph them.
Habitat of the Yaeyama Firefly
When you think of the habitat of fireflies, you may imagine a clean waterside, but Yaeyamahime fireflies live in mountainous areas with moderate humidity, fallen leaves, and decaying soil.
Conditions for the Appearance of Yaeyama Fireflies
It is not so easy to say that Yaeyamahime firefly can be seen every day during the season.
You can see them only on the day when all the conditions such as temperature and weather are met.
Yaeyama fireflies prefer temperatures of 20°C or higher. Even during the season, fireflies may not appear on days when the temperature is too low.
On days when it rains or is too windy, fireflies cannot dance in the sky.
However, they prefer humid climates, so some rain is necessary.
Thus, the viewing conditions for Yaeyama fireflies are very delicate.
Even though we humans make predictions according to these conditions, some days there are more fireflies than expected, while other days there are very few.
If you get to see them, consider yourself lucky!
What to Look out for When You Go to See the Yaeyama Fireflies
Fireflies are very precious and delicate, so please observe the following precautions when you go to see the Yaeyama Fireflies.
Precaution 1. Do Not Shine Light on Fireflies
When you go to see fireflies, not only the Yaeyama fireflies, but also other fireflies, please do not shine your light on them.
As mentioned earlier, fireflies glow to find their partners.
If they sense a light stronger than their own, they will try to glow more strongly, which will drain them considerably and weaken them quickly.
At the time of day when you go to see fireflies, the sun has set and it is pitch dark.
You may need a car headlight or flashlight, but it is taboo to carry anything that gives off a strong light.
Go to the site when it is still light, let your eyes adjust, and try to avoid the need for lights.
Camera screen LCDs are also strong light for fireflies, so if you are taking pictures, cover the LCD with a towel or something similar.
Precaution 2: Beware of the Venomous Habu Snakes
The Yaeyama fireflies begin to glow after sunset.
As mentioned earlier, light is strictly prohibited in the presence of fireflies, so the area will be completely dark when it is time to view the fireflies.
Here, you should be aware that there is a poisonous snake called Sakishima Habu living in Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island.
You may step on them without realizing they are near your feet, and you may be bitten.
Since the firefly habitat is in the mountains, it is dangerous to go there in sandals or other shoes that do not cover your feet, as you will be walking in pitch darkness and on poor footing.
In addition to taking precautions to avoid being bitten by the Habu snakes, you should also wear shoes that will protect your feet well in advance and thick long pants to protect your feet.
We Recommend Taking a Tour to See the Yaeyama Fireflies
You can go to see Yaeyama fireflies by yourself, but unless you have a very good reason, joining a tour is recommended.
There are several firefly viewing spots on the island, and if you join a tour, you will be guided to the spot where the fireflies are most likely to appear, depending on the conditions of the day.
Tour guides can take you to places that are difficult to reach on your own.
After viewing fireflies, it will be pitch-dark. If you are with a tour guide who is familiar with the area, there is no need to worry about getting lost, and he or she will warn you about places with poor footholds.
You can also rent boots and a special flashlight for the tour, which is included in the tour fee.
Above all, you can hear about the ecology of Yaeyama fireflies, the island, and recommended sightseeing spots, so if you are going to Ishigaki Island or Iriomote Island, it is recommended to sign up for the tour in advance.
＞ Click here for ACTIVITY JAPAN "Yaeyama Firefly Appreciation Tour"
＞ Click here for Hoshino Resort "Yaeyama Firefly Appreciation Tour"
＞ Click here for Asoview's "Yaeyama Firefly Appreciation Tour"
Don’t Forget to Take in the Sunset Scenery
As you can see, the Yaeyama Firefly is a rare species that can be seen in Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
The tour is held at night to coincide with the appearance time of Yaeyama fireflies, but if the weather is fine, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset before the fireflies appear and the star-filled sky after the fireflies disappear.
The fantastic sight of fireflies is beautiful, but the changing skies of Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, surrounded by rich nature, are also very beautiful, so please enjoy them as well!
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