Hotaruika Museum
Hotaruika Museum things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The best season is from April until early May. You cannot see squids lighting show in the other season. 1 or 2 hour is enough to see. Updated 2023 Feb My kids love the museum and we visit more than 10 times a year. Naturally it is a good thing to see firefly squid during the season. As a repeat visitor, I recommend the poem by Takashi Takashima, which can be seen immediately after entering the museum. It is a poem of nostalgia for the past, and shows the wonderful sensitivity of Takashi Takashima, a local poet and doctor. This poem is expressed in a wonderful calligraphy by Masa-aki Oh-hira, a calligrapher also from Toyama Prefecture. Unfortunately, there is no English translation, so here is my own translation. The nostalgia for the past can be likened to that of a firefly squid sinking to the bottom of the Sea of Darkness. A small town in the Etchu region called Namekawa.
Tadashi ToyamaTadashi Toyama
20
Despite most of the signs and descriptions in Japanese, I had a wonderful time in this museum. Just make sure you have google translate and you’re all set! This isn’t a big museum but it kept me fascinated and entertained for a solid two hours. I could not stop learning more about this amazing firefly squid and the culture around it. It’s a shame that they only have the live firefly squid during spring and early summer, but the live demonstration made use of krill so you get a sense of the blue glow in the ocean. Children would enjoy the interactive pool with the cold water and the other exhibits around it. The garden eels are especially cute, and do look out for the endearing (and never-moving) isopod. Have some firefly squid fry at the cafe after visiting the museum, and pick up some delicious snacks to bring home. 5/5 - would definitely come back again!
D LoD Lo
00
I went here mid of April to see the firefly squids and get some more info about them. Could see them during a show glowing and also in a container at daylight. Unluckily almost everything was only in Japanese, so I lost quite some info only using google translator. I think that’s still ok as I was told so at the entrance, but I was sad about the living condition for most of the animals. Some were only in a container with nothing but only themselves… please improve and put them in some bigger aquarium with some stones, plants,… inside which comes closer to their natural environment. The boats tour should be booked well in advance. Entering the museum was not an issue.
Anne BollrichAnne Bollrich
20
This museum was excellent in giving information and hands-on experience about fire fly squid. The staff didn't speak English the day we went, but the video had English subtitles, and some of the placards did too. It was a great way to spend a few hours learning about this interesting species that only appear in that region. Quick train ride and walk from Toyama.
Carrietta GoinsCarrietta Goins
00
I dont think they particularly like tourists. The tour would be interesting for sure, if they would provide it in English. The only english words I got where: No pictures! I mean: nowadays, why? Thats free advertising... anyways, the kids had some fun with the lightning squids, gathering stamps and trying some fancy VR stuff
Bernhard PretisBernhard Pretis
10
We went there on June 7th but live show of hotaru ika is not available any more because it is out of season. It normally runs the hotaru ika shows from late March to early Late May. But we were able to see the the light emitting plankton show which was quite nice. If you sre in town, drop by.
The Humble World TrotterThe Humble World Trotter
10
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
410 Nakagawara, Namerikawa, Toyama 936-0021, Japan
Map
Phone
+81 76-476-9300
Call
Website
hotaruikamuseum.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
3.7
(1.3K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
attractions: Ekimae Central Park, 展望台, restaurants: Kajiyabashi, Noodle House Naruto Namerikawa, Kousai, Fiorentina, いなば食堂, Eprise, 炭火焼き鳥 ちょんた３・９, Sushi Gyoryori Kosuginagomi, お弁当のとみや（予約制・宅配専門）, Uchiwa
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