5 Places To See Fireflies in Tokyo This Summer

In Japan, fireflies are to summer what cherry blossoms are to spring—everything.

About now, for only a brief period, fireflies in Tokyo and across Japan begin to glow in riverside parks and forests, marking the peak of their short mating season. Much like cherry blossom viewing in spring, people gather on warm summer evenings to witness this fleeting natural wonder. In Japanese culture, fireflies—or hotaru—are more than just beautiful; they’ve long symbolized passionate love and the souls of the departed, glowing gently in poetry, song and memory. No doubt, you have heard of the incredibly popular Japanese song: hotaru no hikari (the light of the firefly), which is often sung at graduation and end-of-year ceremonies.

So with the season finally upon us, why not spend the next summer nights in a makeshift fairytale land surrounded by exquisite beauty? Here are the top five locations in Tokyo where you can do this.

1. Kugayama Firefly Festival

© Photo by Kugayama Firefly Festival

Held annually in the quiet, residential neighborhood of Kugayama in the Suginami Ward, this charming festival brings a little magic to the Tokyo suburbs. As dusk falls, the area near the station lights up with hundreds of glowing fireflies (genji and heike botaru). The event is community-run, giving it a relaxed and intimate feel compared to the city’s larger festivals. The festival also features a variety of events such as balloon performances, jazz singer live shows, freestyle football, and hands-on activities like kaleidoscope workshops and gardening experiences for children.

• Viewing dates and time: Sat, Jun. 7–Sun, Jun. 8, 2025; 6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.
• Address: Around Kugayama Station, Suginami-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Access: Direct access from Kugayama Station (Keio Inokashira Line)
• Cost: Free!

2. Yuyake Koyake Fureai Village

© Photo by Yuyake Koyake Fureai No Sato

A lesser-known spot among Tokyoites is the Yuyake Koyake Fureai Village. Located on the outskirts of Tokyo, the park—also a farm, barbecue spot and campsite all at once—is a great spot to relax and enjoy nature. Every year in June, Yuyake Koyake also becomes a hub for firefly admirers, where they can see more than 2,500 of the wild floating lanterns. Though a bit far if heading from central Tokyo, goers can enjoy a romantic evening with significant others, with the kids or with a group of friends at this event.

• Viewing dates and time: Sat, Jun. 7-Sun, Jun. 22, 2025; 6 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
• Address: 2030 Kami-Ongata machi, Hachioji, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Access: Take the Nishi-Tokyo bus from Takao station on the Keio line and get off at Yuyake Koyake bus stop.
• Cost: ¥200 (Adults) ¥100 (Children)

3. Yomiuri Land’s Hana Biyori

© Photo by Hana Biyori

An amusement park during the day, this Tokyo favorite spot becomes a popular firefly viewing destination for thousands of locals and tourists alike in June. You will see hundreds of these light bugs at the venue’s Hana Biyori area, where the annual Hotaru Biyori event is held. One thing to keep in mind when visiting is that it gets really, really crowded. So upon entry, you will be given a ticket indicating when you can enter the viewing area. As you wait, however, you can visit the many food trucks and market stalls, and hang wishes for the upcoming Tanabata (star festival) on July 7.

• Viewing dates and time: Now through Sun, Jun. 29, 2025; 7:40 p.m.-9 p.m.
• Address: Yomiuri Land, 4015-1 Yanokuchi, Inagi-shi, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Access: Take a bus for a quick ride from Yomiuri Land-mae station on the Odakyu or Keio lines.
• Cost: ¥400 per person. Free for preschool children. Entry into the Hana Biyori area is separate; see more details here. (You will need to pay admission to enter Hana Biyori to access the firefly viewing tickets.)

4. Hotel Chinzanso’s Garden

© Photo by Hotel Chinzanso

If you want to combine firefly watching with an exclusive dinner or stay in the heart of Tokyo, head nowhere else but to Hotel Chinzanso. Each summer, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s Japanese botanical garden, a massive green oasis in the middle of Tokyo, becomes home to thousands of fireflies. Their magical beauty has been enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike since 1954, when Chinzanso began hosting firefly viewings. Catch a glimpse of the enchanting night at the garden of the beautiful hotel while enjoying a firefly-inspired dinner buffet including roast beef, sushi and much more.

• Viewing dates and time: Now through Mon, Jun. 30, 2025
• Address: Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, 2-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Access: A 10-minute walk from Edogawabashi Station’s Exit 1A on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
• Cost: Admission to the garden after 6:30 p.m. is limited to guests staying overnight, using the hotel restaurants, banquets and weddings, or guests who spend a certain amount or more on the same day at the lobby lounge “Le Jardin,” main bar “Le Marquis,” and shop “Selections.”

5. Setagaya Firefly Festival & Sagiso Market

© Photo by Setagaya Guide

This annual two-day festival in Setagaya brings the best of traditional Japanese summer festivities: delicious food, market stalls, music, people, and, of course, a dazzling firefly watch. One of the largest in the capital, the Setagaya Festival attracts over 25,000 people over the weekend, so be prepared to sweat in the crowd. But despite that, you’ll be impressed by the sight of the over 3,000 natural light bulbs that will wait for you there. The festival also celebrates the sagiso—a special orchid that also happens to be the official flower of Setagaya Ward—which will be at its best bloom right in time for the fireflies (and even after that).

• Viewing dates and time: Sat, Jul. 19-Sun, Jul. 20, 2025. 4 p.m.-9 p.m.
• Address: Setagaya Daikanyashiki, 1-29-18 Setagaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo (Google Map Link)
• Access: A 5-minute walk from Setagaya Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line
• Cost: Free during the firefly viewing period

Have you seen fireflies in Tokyo before? Let us know if you see any this year!

Updated with the latest information for 2025.