Hotaru Park, Fussa

Hotaru Park was established in 1973 as a dedicated firefly sanctuary to protect the declining Genji firefly population near the historic Tamagawa Josui aqueduct in Fussa City, Tokyo. The park was created in response to advancing urbanization that threatened the local firefly habitat, representing an early conservation effort that continues today through the work of the Fussa Firefly Research Association.

The park serves as both a year-round nature preserve and the centerpiece of Tokyo's most established firefly viewing tradition. Each mid-June, the Fussa Firefly Festival celebrates its 60th year by releasing approximately 500 carefully raised fireflies into the park and surrounding areas along the Tama River. The released fireflies create swirling lights that reflect off the water and sparkle against the evening sky, offering visitors one of the few opportunities to witness fireflies in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area.

The optimal viewing experience occurs between 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM during the festival period, when the fireflies are most active. The festival extends beyond firefly viewing, featuring stage performances, traditional street food stalls, and local specialties including "fussa dog" and specialty sweet buns. The event attracts both locals and visitors seeking this rare natural spectacle within an hour of central Tokyo.

Hotaru Park is located approximately one hour west of Tokyo in Fussa City. The park is accessible via a 25-minute walk south from Fussa Station, which connects to central Tokyo via the JR Ome Line. Both the park visit and firefly festival are free of charge, making it an accessible nature experience for travelers of all budgets. The compact size of the park allows for easy exploration, while its location along the historic waterway provides additional scenic value beyond the famous firefly season.