Firefly viewing/beetle garden

Orizume-dake Himefirefly viewing (Ninohe City, Karumai Town, Kunohe Village)

The area near the summit of Mt. Orizume has abundant spring water and a Quercus oak forest, making it one of the largest habitats for fireflies in Japan.
In 2018, it was designated as a natural monument by Iwate Prefecture as the “Mt. Orizume firefly habitat.”
Enjoy the magical dance of light as the 1 million Himebotaru fireflies flicker and sparkle.

[Estimated best viewing time] July 5th (Wednesday) to July 12th (Wednesday)
*During the above period, traffic restrictions will be in place to protect Himebotaru. (19:30-21:00) Those who wish to view the mountain during this period must apply on the Mt. Orizume Promotion Council website at least two days before the desired viewing date.
[Location] Near the top of Mt. Orizume
[Access] About 20 minutes by car from Kunohe IC on the Hachinohe Expressway, 30 minutes by car from JR Ninohe Station
[Price] Free
[Contact information] Mt. Orizume Promotion Council (please contact us from the homepage)
[HP] Mt. Orizume Promotion Council
[Parking] There are several parking lots near the top. Only those who have made a reservation can park during the period.
[Toilet] Available
[Note] Even during traffic restriction periods, you can view the show after 9:00pm without applying. Reservations will be accepted from noon on Sunday, June 25th.

Amihari Visitor Center Summer Amihari Himefirefly Observation Session (Shizukuishi Town)

At the Amihari Visitor Center, we hold various nature observation events in addition to Himebotaru observation. In July, parents and children can enjoy “night hikes and stargazing,” bat surveys in the forest at night, insect light traps, and other activities to experience the silence and darkness of the night while learning about the relationship between the forest and living things, which is built on the delicate balance of nature. , learn about the depth of nature and the importance of nature.

[Event date] July 8th (Sat) – 12th (Wed) (19:40-20:40) *Recruitment closed on July 8th as capacity was reached.
[Price] 300 yen per person
[Capacity] 10 people each (first-come, first-served basis *Closed as soon as capacity is reached.)
[Access] Approximately 40 minutes from Morioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway
[Contact] Amihari Visitor Center TEL 019-693-3777
[HP] Amihari Visitor Center
[Others] Reservation required

Morioka Castle Ruins Park under the plum grove “Firefly Village” Firefly observation event (Morioka City)

The “Morioka Firefly Protection Citizens’ Association” has succeeded in naturally breeding the fireflies at the “Firefly Village” in Morioka Castle Ruins Park, and it is now possible to observe them. You can observe Genji fireflies from late June, and Heike fireflies from early July.

[Date] June 24th (Sat) – 25th (Sun) 20:00~
[Location] 1-37 Morioka Uchimaru Morioka Castle Ruins Park (Iwate Park) Under the plum grove “Firefly Village”
[Access] About 10 minutes by bus from Morioka Station
[Price] Free
[Contact] Morioka Tourism and Convention Association Tourism and Culture Information Plaza TEL 019-604-3305
[Parking] Available (Morioka Castle Ruins Park underground parking lot)
[Toilet] Available (inside Morioka Castle Ruins Park)

Goshoko Regional Park Oirino Wet Botanical Garden (Morioka City)

Genji fireflies and Heike fireflies naturally occurred in the park, which was originally maintained as a kakitsubata garden. At peak times, you can see hundreds of Heike fireflies.

[Best time to see] Early July to mid-July *No viewing event will be held. Please view on your own.
[Location] Morioka City Tsunaji Dogasawa (Morioka City Oirino Botanical Garden)
[Access] 20 minutes walk from Tsunagi Onsen or 3 minutes by car
[Fee] None
[Contact] Gosho Lake Regional Park Management Office TEL 019-692-4855
[HP] Iwate Prefectural Goshoko Regional Park
[Parking lot] 45 spaces
[Toilet] None

Appi Highlands Nature Tours (Hachimantai City)

Your guide will show you the “Hime fireflies”, “Genji fireflies”, and “Heike fireflies” that live around the hotel’s pond in the Appi Highlands, which is rich in nature. Let’s go see the fantastic dance of light.

[Dates] July 1st (Sat) – July 10th (Mon) 20:15 – 21:15 Reservations required. (until 17:00 on the day)
[Access] Approximately 20 minutes from Tohoku Expressway Matsuo-Hachimantai IC via Prefectural Route 45
[Meeting location] ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen Front *Please gather 10 minutes before the start time
[Fee] 3,000 yen for junior high school students and older (13 years old and older), 2,500 yen for children (5 to 12 years old) *Children under 5 years old are free, but must be accompanied by a guardian. Parents will be charged a fee.
[Capacity] 2 to 20 people
[Contact] Appi Highlands Nature Tours TEL 0195-73-6228 (9:00-17:00)
[HP] APPI
[Parking] Available
[Note] We recommend bringing a jacket. Please wear athletic shoes and comfortable walking shoes. (Sandals not allowed)
*The event will be canceled on days when the temperature is low or on rainy days as fireflies will not appear.
*Priority given to those staying within the Appi area.

[Dates] July 15th (Saturday) – August 10th (Thursday) 20:00 – 21:00 Reservations required. (until 17:00 the day before)
[Access] Approximately 20 minutes from Tohoku Expressway Matsuo-Hachimantai IC via Prefectural Route 45
[Meeting location] ANA Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen Front *Please gather 10 minutes before the start time
[Fee] 4,000 yen for junior high school students and older (13 years old and older), 3,500 yen for children (5 to 12 years old) *Children under 5 years old are free, but must be accompanied by a guardian. Parents will be charged a fee.
[Capacity] 2 to 18 people
[Contact] Appi Highlands Nature Tours TEL 0195-73-6228 (9:00-17:00)
[HP] APPI
[Parking] Available
[Note] We recommend bringing a jacket. Please wear athletic shoes and comfortable walking shoes. (Sandals not allowed)
*This event will be canceled on days when the temperature is low or on rainy days as fireflies will not appear.
*Priority given to those staying within the Appi area.

Esashi Fujiwara no Sato Genpei Firefly Viewing (Oshu City)

A popular event held every year at Esashi Fujiwara no Sato Historical Park. You can see two types of fireflies: Genji fireflies and Heike fireflies. During this period, there will be special nighttime hours, so the fantastic facilities that are different from usual are also a must-see.

[Dates] June 23rd (Fri), 24th (Sat), 25th (Sun), 30th (Fri), July 1st (Sat) and 2nd (Sun)
[Location] 86-1 Onamaru, Esashi Iwayado, Oshu City Historical Park Esashi Fujiwara no Sato
[Access] About 15 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway Mizusawa IC
[Fee] Special night admission: 500 yen for high school students and above, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students, free for preschoolers. *During the period, the restaurant will be open at night (17:00-20:00)
[Contact information] Esashi Fujiwara no Sato TEL 0197-35-7791
[HP] Esashi Fujiwara no Sato
[Parking lot] Approximately 600 spaces
[Toilet] Available in the park

Ono Campus Forest Beetle Museum (Hirono Town)

This is a facility where you can interact with free-ranging beetles in an environment close to nature. If you find a beetle that you like, you can purchase it. Please come with your whole family.
*There may be fewer beetles near the end of the season, so please arrive early.

[Opening period] Saturday, July 22nd to mid-August (scheduled) 9:00 to 16:00
[Location] Ono Campus, Ono, Hirono Town
[Access] 30 minutes by car from Hachinohe Expressway Kunohe IC
[Fee] 210 yen for junior high school students and above, 100 yen for elementary school students, free for infants
[Contact] Ono Campus TEL 0194-77-3202
[HP] Ohno Campus

Beetle contact dome (Hanamaki City)

You can touch and play with free-ranging beetles in a 600 m² steel-framed netted dome in a way that is close to nature. There is also a vast grass park and river park adjacent to the property, where you can play ground golf or swim in the river.

[Opening period] Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from July 2nd (Sunday) to August 6th (Sunday)
[Location] 20, I2-ku, Towa-cho, Hanamaki City
[Contact] Beetle Fureai Dome TEL 070-2018-5740 (during period only)
*For inquiries outside the period, Hanamaki Tourism Association TEL 0198-29-4522
[HP] Beetle contact dome
[Fee] 300 yen for adults, 100 yen for elementary school students and younger, free for infants *Beetles must be purchased separately.
[Access] 15 minutes by car from Shin-Hanamaki Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, 8 minutes by car from Towa Interchange on the Kamaishi Expressway