Just 15 minutes from Shibuya!“Kugayama Firefly Festival” to see thousands of fireflies along the river

▲The "Kugayama Firefly Festival," just a 15-minute drive from Tokyo's bustling districts, is the most urban-close firefly viewing spot (illustration/Screen capture from Banq)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

When it comes to firefly viewing, many people’s stereotype is that they can only be seen in the clean air of mountain forests or rural areas. But now in Tokyo, just a 15-minute subway ride from Shibuya, you can step right into a blue galaxy made up of thousands of fireflies. TheKugayama Firefly Festivalwill take place on June 6. If you missed the best time for firefly viewing in Taiwan, you definitely shouldn’t miss it if you’re planning a trip to Tokyo soon.

Although it’s not widely advertised, the “Kugayama Firefly Festival” is a well-known local event with a 10-year history. The Kugayama Firefly Festival is held annually in June. The local shopping street and schools release about 2,000 artificially bred fireflies over two evenings along the river, creating the most beautiful night scene in the Kugayama area in June. As a result, it attracts a large number of visitors every year for firefly viewing.

▲Map of the “Kugayama Firefly Festival.” (Image/Screen capture fromBean Knowledge Press)

The main locations for releasing the fireflies are along the Kanda River and the Tamagawa Aqueduct. Around 8 PM is the most beautiful time for firefly viewing, leading visitors into a stunning night scene filled with flowing blue lights. In addition to firefly viewing, the area also offers beer gardens and flea markets, allowing visitors to enjoy local snacks.

This year’s “Kugayama Firefly Festival” will be held on June 6 and 7. Travelers who wish to attend can take the Keio Electric Railway’s Inokashira Line from Shibuya, with a journey of only about 15–20 minutes. Get off at Kugayama Station, and the festival venue is right outside the station. To witness the beautiful sight of thousands of tiny blue lanterns dancing through fields and woods, be sure to catch this once-a-year nighttime festival.

“Kugayama Firefly Festival”

Time: June 6 and 7, 10 AM to 9 PM
Location: Around Kugayama Station
Firefly Release Time: After sunset, best viewing time around 8 PM; canceled in case of heavy rain
Transportation: Take the Keio Inokashira Line, get off at Kugayama Station