What is the Yaeyama firefly viewing tour?
Night tours on Ishigaki Island are one of the most popular among the many activities held.
On the night tour, you can enjoy trekking through the jungle at night, enjoying the star-filled sky, and many more.
Among them, the Yaeyama firefly tour, which can be enjoyed seasonally at night from March to May, is top-rated, and many tourists visit every year to view the fireflies.
The Yaeyama firefly is found only in the Yaeyama Islands and is known as the smallest firefly in Japan.
The three most common types of fireflies living in Yaeyama are the “Yaeyama Himebotaru,” the “Kiiro-suji board,” and the “Oshima-made botaru.”
The Yaeyamahimebotaru, whose tiny body (2~5 mm) glows and hundreds or thousands of them can be seen all at once, is a favorite nighttime activity in Ishigaki Island.
The light of Yaeyama Himebotaru, which starts glowing from sunset from March to mid-May, can be seen for only 30 minutes to an hour, but when the fireflies’ light disappears, you can see the night sky full of stars.
Spots, seasons, and times when you can see Yaeyama fireflies on Ishigaki Island.
Yaeyama fireflies can be seen from late February to late April.
Peak season is from late March to early April.
Banna Park” is the usual spot for fireflies, but on firefly tours, we go to the place where the most fireflies can be seen on that day.
Also, the glow time is about 30 minutes to 1 hour after sunset.
The tour starts about 30 minutes before sunset time.
What to Wear and Bring on a Firefly Viewing Tour
What to wear on a firefly-watching tour
| Clothing | Lightweight long sleeves, long pants (recommended), comfortable shoes/sandals |
What to bring on the firefly watching tour
| What to bring | Camera (smartphone) |
Firefly Viewing Tour in Ishigaki Island is recommended for families and couples!
The countless light emitted from the small body of the Yaeyama firefly gathers just like a natural illumination.
Please come and see this spectacle with your loved ones.
The path to the firefly-watching spot is not too steep, so families with children are also welcome.
Even small children and the elderly can reach the spot without difficulty.
