Goto Islands to Host Firefly Festival from May 23, 2026, Featuring Japan's Fastest-Flashing Endemic Species

The firefly season, heralding the start of summer, has arrived in Shinkamigoto Town, Nagasaki Prefecture. At the Aiko River, known as a "firefly village," visitors can simultaneously see two types of fireflies living in different environments: Genji fireflies by the water and Hime fireflies in the woods. A key attraction is the "Goto Islands type Genji firefly." This firefly is distinguished by its flashing rhythm of once per second, the fastest in Japan. The flash patterns of Genji fireflies vary by region—typically around a 4-second interval in Eastern Japan and 2 seconds in Western Japan—making this speed exceptional. Due to this characteristic, it has been newly classified and is a rare species found only on the Goto Islands. To allow visitors to experience this natural phenomenon, the "Aiko River Firefly Village Festival" will be held. - Dates: Saturday, May 23, 2026 – Sunday, June 7, 2026 - Location: Aigo-go, Shinkamigoto, Nagasaki (near Aiko River First Bridge) - Parking: Available (35 spaces) *Carpooling is encouraged. - Admission: Free *No specific stage events will be held; the focus is on providing a viewing spot and parking. Visitors are asked to follow viewing etiquette. Strong lights, such as camera flashes and flashlights, are prohibited as they disturb the fireflies. Catching the fireflies is also forbidden, and quiet observation is encouraged. Insect repellent should be applied beforehand, not at the site. The tourism association also promotes a "Triple Night Viewing" experience of sunset, fireflies, and the starry sky, offering services like the "Order-Made Taxi Island Tour" and "Starry Sky Night Tour" for travelers. An explanation of the Goto Islands type Genji firefly by Associate Professor Shinya Ohba of Nagasaki University's Faculty of Education is also available. Dr. Ohba won the Entomological Society of Japan Award in 2021 for his research clarifying the firefly's rapid flash pattern. His findings were published in the journal *Entomological Science* in 2020. Kamigoto Four Seasons Executive Committee (Secretariat: Shinkamigoto Town Tourism and Products Association) Address: 428-31 Arikawa-go, Shinkamigoto, Minamimatsuura-gun, Nagasaki TEL: 0959-42-0964 Website: https://shinkamigoto.nagasaki-tabinet.com/