Hotaru Ika (Firefly squid) boat tour

Take a Late-Night Firefly Squid Charter

The darkness of the early morning is the only time to catch the ghostly bioluminescence created by hotaru ika, or firefly squid, a rare species native to the waters just off Toyama. The tour is only available from March to early May, and participants must meet at 2:30 am for a 3:00 to 4:30 am tour. It is well worth the early morning for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness the deep waters of Toyama Bay shimmering blue as fishermen raise their nets in the pre-dawn glow.

The World of the Hotaru-ika

The firefly squid museum in Namerikawa is a great place to find out more about your upcoming tour. It has in-depth information regarding the creature's history and its mysterious life cycle. There are also several other deep-sea isopods on display, and, depending on the season, you may even get to see some live samples up close.

How to get there

The tour meets at Wave Park Namerikawa at 2:30 am. It's too early for buses or trains so you'll need to organize a taxi with your hotel or lodging.