Fireflies of Ishigaki Island Nature's illumination and mystical night
What's FIREFlY?
What are fireflies on Ishigaki Island?
The Yaeyama firefly, one of the smallest fireflies in Japan (1m to 2m), is only found in the Yaeyama Islands, and can be seen from March to June on Ishigaki Island. Fireflies in Honshu may be seen flying over rivers in summer, but Yaeyamahimebotaru can be observed deep in the mountains in spring. Their lifespan is about two weeks. Fireflies do not live sparsely, but rather congregate in their habitat, so that thousands of fireflies can be seen glowing at once, which is why they are called nature's illumination.
In Yaeyama fireflies, the female glows more strongly than the male, and the male glows to appeal to the female. When the female finds her partner, she stops glowing. Yaeyama fireflies do not glow when it is cold or windy, so it is recommended to join the tour when the weather is good. Rain is preferred, so the tour will be held rain or shine! Fireflies in Ishigaki Island start to glow 30 minutes to 1 hour after sunset, so we will gather at sunset and go to the firefly spot and wait for them to glow before they do.
Fireflies on Ishigaki Island will instinctively run away if they find a light stronger than their own. They find their partners by light, so be careful with shutters, flashlights, and smartphone lights at firefly locations. They only glow for about 30 minutes to an hour a day, so they use an awful lot of power to glow.
When you go to the firefly locations in Ishigaki Island, you can also observe the Ryukyu Goshawk and the starry sky if the weather is clear. PiPi's tour has found more than 30 firefly spots in Ishigaki Island and we change the locations every day depending on the wind direction and the time of year. There are many people who want to take pictures of fireflies in Ishigaki Island. A single-lens reflex camera and a bright lens (F value less than 2.8) is recommended for fireflies in Ishigaki Island.
One condition for photographing fireflies on Ishigaki Island is to cover the hood cover and not show the light from the LCD. Do not shine the strobe. The light of fireflies in Ishigaki Island blinks repeatedly, so you can take fantastic pictures.
In addition to the Yaeyama fireflies, you can also observe other fireflies, such as the yellow-headed firefly, the Oshima mado firefly, and the Iriomote firefly. The guide will explain to you in detail about the different ways they glow, and even the larvae glow. There are also six species of fireflies that do not glow. They are the Yaeyama Leafhopper Firefly, the Muneguro Firefly, the Yellow-bellied Firefly, the Yellow-bellied Firefly, the Red Firefly, and the Saxifragilis Mado Firefly.
Click here for a list of firefly tours in Ishigaki Island
Click here for a list of activities on Ishigaki Island
Firefly season in Ishigaki Island
The firefly season in Ishigaki Island in 2020 is expected to be about 3 weeks later than usual. The fireflies on Ishigaki Island will be visible from May 10 to mid-June. The firefly season is not something to be predicted, it changes every day depending on the temperature, the number of people, the wind, and the strength of the wind, so it is completely unknown until the day of the firefly. So, for all the dates you are traveling in Ishigaki Island, we recommend you to book a PiPi tour anyway and join the tour on the days when conditions are good!
Recommended clothing and personal belongings for firefly tours in Ishigaki Island
What to Wear for Firefly Tour in Ishigaki Island
Although mosquitoes and flies are rarely present on firefly tours in Ishigaki Island, long sleeves and long pants are recommended. This is because your body is not accustomed to the temperature difference from the daytime. You may want to bring a hat since we will be going into the forest.
Recommended Things to Bring for Firefly Tour in Ishigaki Island
Fireflies in Ishigaki Island are very reluctant to spray insect repellent. So, please do not use insect repellant spray.
What to bring for a firefly tour in Ishigaki Island (1) Towel
You should have a sweat towel for the firefly tour in Ishigaki Island because you will be walking in the mountains.
What to bring for a firefly tour in Ishigaki Island (1) Beverages
Hydration is essential after walking. Consume frequently before you become thirsty.
Things to keep in mind when watching fireflies on Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island Firefly Tour Cautions (1) Do not point your flashlight at fireflies.
Fireflies on Ishigaki Island use light for communication and courtship. Fireflies on Ishigaki Island are extremely sensitive to other lights, so if you shine a light on them, they will stop glowing, which will affect their offspring's reproduction. If they stop shining, it will affect their offspringhood; females and males court each other from 2m to 3m away, so don't use artificial light, even if it is from your phone. The reason they are only found in the forest is because they are not good with light. Their lifespan is also two weeks, so do not disturb them in their precious time.
Ishigaki Island Firefly Tour Caution #2: Do not use chemical sprays such as insect repellents.
Using insect repellent sprays will shorten the life span of the fireflies. When fireflies on Ishigaki Island are glowing, they are not eating. They are using all of their body energy to emit light for courtship. So, please refrain from using scientific sprays or equivalent. Rest assured that mosquitoes and flies are almost non-existent.
Ishigaki Island Firefly Tour Cautions (3) Follow the guide's instructions.
On the way to the Ishigaki Island fireflies, the guide may explain or stop to explain the plants. The time to get to the firefly sites on Ishigaki Island is also calculated, so do not get there before the guide. Also, do not touch the fireflies unnecessarily.
Click here for a list of firefly tours in Ishigaki Island
Click here for a list of activities on Ishigaki Island
3 Firefly Spots on Ishigaki Island
Firefly Spots in Ishigaki Island (1) Banna Park
After arriving at Banna Park, head to the nature observation plaza. Go to Zone D, where the Firefly Road in Banna Park is located. The Firefly Trail sign is a landmark. Go early because you will get lost if you don't go there during the daylight hours. It is usually used as a walking trail, so it is a great place to get some exercise. At night, it becomes a mystical space with the chorus of the long-billed murrelet, long-billed kingfisher, and frogs. Fireflies in Ishigaki Island are sensitive to the sound of their voices, so try to watch quietly.
Firefly Spots on Ishigaki Island (2) Maesedake
Maesedake Observatory is located on the opposite side of the south entrance area of Banna Park on Ishigaki Island on a forest road. It is a very secluded spot with very few tourists. There is a sign of Ishigakijima Observatory and you will climb up Maesedake. There is an observatory on the way and that is the goal. There is no restroom, so be careful. The night view from the observatory is exceptional.
Firefly Spots in Ishigaki Island (3) Omotodake
Omotodake is the highest mountain in Okinawa. It is a favorite place for fireflies in Ishigaki Island because there is less light in high mountains. There are several firefly habitats near the trailhead. The area around the mountain can be dangerous without a guide, so beginners should be careful.
Tears of emotion on a carpet of natural light.
In the Firefly Tour of Ishigaki Island, the guide will not only talk about the knowledge of fireflies in Ishigaki Island, but also explain the culture, historical background, and nocturnal flora and fauna of Ishigaki Island in detail. If you go without a tour, you may not know the time, the parking lot may be full, and it is often inconvenient. If you join the Firefly Tour of Ishigaki Island, you are sure to have a great time. On a clear day, you can see stars beautifully. Why don't you follow the rules when watching fireflies and have an experience of a lifetime by observing the products of nature closely!
Click here for a list of firefly tours in Ishigaki Island
Click here for a list of activities on Ishigaki Island
