Yaeyama Firefly Tour
Rated 5 stars on Google
March to May only. The forest glows gold
— a magical night
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Ishigaki Island
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Experience
duration: 2H -
Hotel pickup included
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English guide
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Ages: 0–100
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From 1 person OK
What makes this tour unique
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Infants are welcome! Fun for everyone.
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Includes stargazing commentary by an officially certified Ishigaki City guide.
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If fireflies or stars are not visible, we’ll go on a coconut crab search instead.
TOUR IMAGE
Tour HIGHLIGHTS
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#1
Round-trip
transportation includedWe offer guided tours to hidden spots deep within the jungle, with free pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation. Enjoy the tour without worrying about navigating unfamiliar roads.
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#2
Easy & Accessible!
Open to all agesNo special equipment or heavy gear is required. Since the viewing location is just a short walk from where the car drops you off, families with small children and seniors can participate with peace of mind, just as they are.
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#3
Guided to a secret
firefly spotEven during peak season, we take you to hidden gems where you can view countless fireflies away from the crowds. Experience the emotional thrill of being wrapped in a magical dance of light in a private setting without other tourists around.
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#4
Fireflies & Stargazing
Enjoy both at once!From the moment fireflies begin to dance until the stars start to shine, our certified guide will use a laser pointer to provide detailed explanations of the constellations. We will also share tips on how to take beautiful photos of the night sky with your smartphone.
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#5
No stars?
Go Coconut Crab Hunting!A spectacular tour you can enjoy even on cloudy nights.
The coconut crab, the largest land arthropod, is a rare, nocturnal, and endangered species with highly limited habitats—making them nearly impossible to spot without a guide. Growing up to 2 kg in weight (under 1 metre in width), their pincers' strength rivals the bite force of a lion. Encounter these formidable creatures in the dark jungle — a sight you do not want to overlook.
Itinerary
A 2-hour tour from sunset to starry skies, soaking in the best of Ishigaki's night.
* Times may vary depending on the season and group size.
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19:00
Hotel pickup
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19:15
Arrive at firefly spot & viewing
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19:45
Head to stargazing spot
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20:00
Stargazing (forest walk for coconut crabs if weather is poor)
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20:30
Tour ends & drop-off
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21:00
Arrive at hotel
TOUR INFORMATION
- Overview
- What's Included
- Meeting & Pickup
- Additional Info
- Cancellation Policy
This is an approximately two-hour night tour packed with the evening charms of Ishigaki Island. From March to June, you will enjoy a leisurely viewing of the Yaeyama hime-botaru fireflies—which glow for only a short time after sunset—at a secret, hidden spot known only to our guides.
Following the fireflies, there is a stargazing session led by an Ishigaki City-certified guide. You can enjoy easy-to-follow constellation guidance using a laser pointer, as well as a lecture on how to photograph the starry sky with your smartphone. In the event of bad weather where the stars are not visible, we will switch to an adventure plan to search for giant coconut crabs, ensuring you do not miss out on the excitement unique to Ishigaki Island, no matter the night.
We invite you on a casual, hands-free night adventure that can be safely enjoyed by everyone from infants to seniors, with locations accessible immediately after stepping out of the car.
- Round-trip transportation
- Firefly commentary
- Stargazing commentary using a laser pointer
We provide transportation to and from each hotel.
Meeting at the location is also possible.
There are many mosquitoes, so we recommend participating in long sleeves, long pants, and shoes.
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.
Your Expert Island Guide
“Wataru”
I love skin diving and island hopping. Out of 38 inhabited islands in Okinawa, I've been to 30 — a self-proclaimed island nerd.
Ishigaki stole my heart the most, so I packed up and moved here 5 years ago.
I shoot weddings, family portraits, and starry night skies. Nobody knows this island's best views better than I do.
Leave the guiding and the photos to me!
Q&A
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How long does the tour take? Is it possible to adjust the time?
The tour is held for about 2 hours from 19:00 to 21:00. Since the time fireflies fly is limited to about 30 minutes a day, we only offer tours during this time slot. If you have dinner plans, we recommend adjusting them in advance.
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What is the range of the pick-up service?
Pick-up is available within approximately 15 minutes by car from the city center. If you are staying in the Kabira or northern areas, please join us by meeting at the site.
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Can small children or elderly people participate?
Yes, they can participate. The path is paved with asphalt and does not involve long-distance walking, so small children and elderly people can participate with peace of mind.
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What kind of clothes should I wear?
Since there are mosquitoes, we recommend wearing long sleeves, long pants, and comfortable walking shoes. By minimizing skin exposure, you can enjoy the tour more comfortably.
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What happens if the weather is bad?
Please be assured that fireflies can be seen even if the weather is bad. If the stars are not visible, we will switch to another experience, such as searching for coconut crabs.
25.00
Children (11 and under)
from 17.00~
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
GUEST COMMENTS
We have received many high ratings from guests all around the world
Magical Fireflies and a Starry Sky
The fireflies were truly magical, and seeing the light gently spreading through the forest was incredibly beautiful. The starry sky we saw afterward was also amazing; they used a laser pointer to show us the constellations, making it easy to identify them. The tour exceeded my expectations.
Sarah T.
Easy-to-understand Starry Sky Commentary with a Laser Pointer
They explain things while pointing with a laser, so you never get lost looking for what they're talking about. Even though I'm not usually interested in stars, I really enjoyed it. The fireflies were also beautiful, and it was great to be able to enjoy both.
David L.
Flexible Response Even in Bad Weather
The weather wasn't great, but they switched to a coconut crab hunt, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. I felt confident booking knowing they offer such flexible responses. It felt like a tour where no time was wasted.
Emma R.
Safe to Join Even at Night with Transportation Included
Having transportation included was a huge help. I was worried about traveling on my own in the dark at night, so being picked up and dropped off at my hotel gave me peace of mind. The overall guidance was polite, making it easy for a first-timer to participate.
Chloe S.
Efficient Itinerary to Enjoy Both Fireflies and Starry Skies
The flow from fireflies to the starry sky was excellent, and I was fully satisfied with both. The star commentary, in particular, was easy to understand thanks to the laser pointer, making it more than just a viewing experience. I think it's a high-quality tour overall.
Lukas K.