Events

Whereas many years ago, fireflies were everywhere in Kansai throughout the summer months, you now need to head to specific places to see them. Luckily, you do have a range of options, including festivals in urban areas like the gardens of hotels, restaurants, and shrines. However, these events tend to last no more than a week since they involve bringing fireflies to the area — and when the fireflies die, they have no larvae to replace them. If you go to where the fireflies live naturally, though, they are often around for several weeks. In Kansai, they’re active from late May to mid-June. Although they start coming out at nightfall, you may need to wait until 10:00 p.m. or even midnight to see them in large numbers. You’ll see the most fireflies of all if you search far from artificial light, near water sources, and in thick forests. Kansai Area Mishima Pond Sekigahara is a top spot for fireflies due to its location at the foot of the mountains and immersed in nature. At nearby Mishima Pond, visitors are often able to see hundreds of fireflies. You may like to arrive early in the day to visit the highlights of…