守山市ほたるの森資料館

・HOTARU’s Forest map　

　You can enjoy the fireflies and exploring the forest in each of the four seasons.

・Publication of information 　：　

　the magazine   ” From the HOTARU’s forest”　(3 times / yr.)

 　We deliver the latest information and hot topics about fireflies to the public, including records and events at the museum.

　latest   №４　　　      　　   

　back  No.　　      「ほたるの森から」　 第4号　 （2022年5月号） 　　表面 4号　  裏面　4号  

　　　　　　　　　「ほたるの森から」　特集号　（2022年3月号）

　　　　　　　　　「ほたるの森から」　 第3号　 （2021年10月号） 　表面 3号　　裏面　3号

　　　　　　　　　「ほたるの森から」　 第2号　 （2021年7月号）　　表面 2号　　裏面 2号

　　　　　　　　　「ほたるの森から」　創刊号　（2021年5月号）　情報誌　裏面　20210506　　情報誌　裏面　20210506

・The background of the Museum

   In 1979 (Showa 54), the “Community Development for Reviving Fireflies project” was launched to create a river environment that would realize “Moriyama, where fireflies fly around” and to revitalize Moriyama as “Moriyama, where fireflies are abundant”. As part of this project, an artificial river was constructed in Hatonomori Park in 1980 (Showa 55), and a laboratory for artificially breeding fireflies was set up.

  Furthermore, in 1988 (Showa 63), as part of the “Hometown Creation project” proposed by the Japanese government, the “Hometown Moriyama, where Fireflies Live” was created based on the suggestions of local residents. The Moriyama-City HOTARU (Firefly) Forest Museum was opened on April 1, 1990, in the Civic Athletic Park, funded by the one hundred million yen distributed as a project fee for the base facility. At the same time, an artificial river, the HOTARU(Firefly) River, was constructed in the HOTARU (Firefly) Forest.     

・Enactment of the Moriyama City Firefly Ordinance 

　In 2000 (Heisei 12), the “Moriyama City Firefly Ordinance” was  enacted. There are approximately 20 ordinances on firefly protection in Japan, and this ordinance was enacted to revive Genji fireflies (Luciola cruciata) , which are deeply linked to Moriyama, and to promote the development of a community, which is rich in water and greenery, and designated nine firefly protection areas. In the protected areas, collecting fireflies and Kawanina(Semisulcospira libertina) and polluting the rivers are prohibited, and violators will be punished.
(An application is required for firefly protection activities and for collecting Kawanina for research and study.)

  Furthermore, since many fireflies have been observed flying outside of designated areas, the revised Moriyama City Firefly Ordinance came into effect on July 1, 2013, making all rivers in the city a protected area. The ordinance stipulates the types of protected areas, prohibited activities in all rivers in Moriyama City, the obligation to make efforts in weed control, rules on construction standards for river environment, and the responsibilities of citizens.

【the Moriyama City Firefly Ordinance】　　URL：　http://www.city.moriyama.lg.jp/reiki_int/reiki_honbun/i400RG00000258.html

【The booklet  “Firefly” 】

The booklet “Fireflies” is a must-read for those who want to know more about Moriyama’s Firefly, Genji firefly  (Luciola cruciata).

The ultimate goal of firefly conservation activities is to restore the local ecosystem and improve the water environment. This booklet was prepared by the Museum to be used as a reference for those who are involved in firefly conservation activities and restoration of the natural environment, as well as for environmental education in schools.

【Moriyama Firefly Forest Museum Bulletin No. 1 】(issued March 2011)

Summary of research and firefly ecology observations during the five years of designated management since 2006

This bulletin summarizes the research and firefly ecology observations conducted by researchers and related staff during the five years of designated management since 2006, and also includes an introduction of materials on the great achievements of Kiichiro Minami. The book was designed as a reference for firefly researchers, firefly enthusiasts, and firefly conservationists throughout Japan.

【30th Anniversary Commemorative DVD  】

This DVD documents the history of the museum, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021,

and introduces the past, present, and future efforts of Moriyama City and the Moriyama Firefly Forest Museum in its firefly conservation project.

◎　To view the video, please ask at the museum’s exhibition room at any time.

【Display document】

・Exhibition of Kiichiro Minami’s belongings　

・Progress and the Role of the Museum and its Future

   Over the years, the Museum’s steady research and efforts in artificial firefly breeding, larval releases, and educational activities to conserve the water environment for fireflies have started to yield positive results.

　The Moriyama Firefly Park & Walk has attracted many people from within and outside of the prefecture, and the number of visitors to the museum exceeded 200,000 in 2011 and 300,000 in 2015, for which a commemorative event was held. In 2000, the 10th anniversary of the museum, the 33rd National Firefly Research Convention was held in Moriyama, where we had the opportunity to present the conservation activities of Genji fireflies in Moriyama City, which had been inherited from the research and achievements of Mr. Kiichiro Minami.
On the 20th Anniversary of the museum, we published “Bulletin No. 1” as a commemorative publication, reflecting on the five years of the museum’s activities. Unfortunately, we were unable to hold the 30th anniversary commemorative event due to COVID-19.

　The number of Moriyama Genji fireflies, which were once in danger of extinction, has gradually increased,
and in May 2018 (Heisei 30), “Spring Water and Fireflies of Moriyama” were designated as a Japanese Heritage Site as “Lake Biwa and its Waterside Landscape – Water Heritage of Prayer and Life”.

    The HOTARU(Firefly) Forest Museum will continue to play an important role as a base facility for projects that aim to make Moriyama “a city, where fireflies live”.