Tatsuno Firefly Ballad Park

Overview

Tatsuno Firefly Ballad Park is located in Tatsuno-machi, Nagano Prefecture, and is a park where fireflies thrive. Once upon a time, Tatsuno's natural environment was perfectly suited for the breeding of Genji fireflies. The Tenryu River, flowing from Lake Suwa, nurtured the fireflies and their aquatic prey, such as *kawanina* (a type of freshwater snail). However, from the 1950s onward, the number of fireflies gradually decreased due to increasing factory wastewater, household waste, and agricultural chemicals. To protect the fireflies, the town undertook several initiatives. They added clean water from streams to prevent water pollution. As the firefly population slowly began to recover, they created small streams suitable for fireflies in fallow rice paddies. Two years later, these streams were teeming with fireflies. Using this experience, they built two dedicated firefly waterways. Furthermore, during renovations of existing waterways, they used wood pegs alongside concrete and widened the streams to create a more hospitable environment for the fireflies. They consistently maintained the environment by mowing the grass around the streams, removing mud, and generally ensuring the fireflies and *kawanina* had a suitable habitat. Thanks to these efforts, fireflies are now visible in Matsuo Gorge as they once were. During the peak season from early to mid-June, a grand firefly festival is held throughout the town, attracting visitors from far beyond Nagano Prefecture. Today, Tatsuno Firefly Ballad Park stands as a testament to the successful restoration of a rich natural environment through firefly conservation efforts. The magical dance of the fireflies heals and inspires visitors.