Genji Firefly
Nipponoluciola cruciata
Photo: Alpsdake / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
The Genji Firefly is Japan's representative large firefly, glowing softly by clear streams on early summer nights. Its larvae live in water and feed on freshwater snails. It has declined in many places through water pollution and riverbank works, but conservation efforts continue. "The Genji fireflies of Nagaoka and their breeding site" in Maibara, Shiga, is a Special Natural Monument, and many other sites across Japan are also Natural Monuments.
- Scientific name
- Nipponoluciola cruciata
- Group
- Insects
- Prefectures
- Aomori, Miyagi, Toyama, Nagano, Gifu, Aichi, Shiga, Kyoto, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Ehime, Fukuoka
- When to see
- June
- 日本語
- ゲンジボタル
- 简体中文
- 源氏萤
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Sign inNatural Monuments related to the Genji Firefly
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The Nagaoka site in Maibara, Shiga, is the only firefly site designated a Special Natural Monument. The recommended viewing period in 2026 was June 5–14, best around 8–9 p.m. Timing varies by year.
Exhibit sourceMap
Markers show designated habitats and breeding sites.
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Frequently asked questions
The Genji Firefly is designated as a species without a fixed area and lives in places such as Aomori, Miyagi, Toyama, Nagano, Gifu, Aichi, Shiga, Kyoto, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Ehime, Fukuoka.
The Genji Firefly is mainly seen in June. The Nagaoka site in Maibara, Shiga, is the only firefly site designated a Special Natural Monument. The recommended viewing period in 2026 was June 5–14, best around 8–9 p.m. Timing varies by year.
Animals related to the Genji Firefly
Animals in the same group or designated in the same area.
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