It looks like the “34th Ashiyagawa Genji Firefly Observation Event” will be held near Kaisomori Bridge by Hankyu Ashiyagawa Station from 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. It will go ahead in light rain.
↑There was a notice announcing the event. An event information page has also been posted on the official Ashiya City website. Apparently, this will be the first time in five years that the event is being held!
Meeting place: Southeast of Kaisomori Bridge, on the west side of Yamate Yume Nursery School
Organizer: Ashiyagawa ni Sakana wo Fuyasou Kai Co-organizer: Ashiya City
↑The meeting point is on the west side of “Yamate Yume Nursery School,” on the Ashiyagawa River side.
Here’s the map↓
The address is 6-10 Higashiashiyacho, Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture.
↑After that, it seems participants will observe fireflies along the upstream sidewalk from “Kaisomori Bridge,” just northwest of the meeting place. Since no one will go down into the river, it should be safe!
↑This is the view upstream from Kaisomori Bridge. It definitely looks like the kind of place where fireflies might appear after dark.
↑One of the “We are the stars of the Ashiyagawa River” signs, several of which are installed along the river, can also be found near Kaisomori Bridge, and “Genji fireflies” are featured on it too! I’d love to see real Genji fireflies!
By the way, last year, Genji fireflies were apparently spotted around Yamashiya Park from late May to early June.
↑Learning about fireflies while observing real Genji fireflies seems like a great way to become more aware of the importance of protecting the nature of the nearby Ashiyagawa River!
For detailed event information, please check the official Ashiya City website / About the 2024 “Ashiyagawa Genji Firefly Observation Event”.
