Matsubasawa Hotaru no Sato

This location along the Miyasawa River (Matsubasawa), a tributary of the Nakatsu River flowing through Aikawa Town a 20-minute drive from the Sagamihara-Aikawa Interchange on the Ken-O Expressway via Prefectural Route 54, is famous for its fireflies. The local Matsubasawa Firefly Preservation Society has created a Semisulcospira libertine snail nursery along the river and has engaged in activities promoting the breeding and preservation of the area's fireflies for many years. Today, visitors can still see many Genji and Heike fireflies in the area; in most years, the fireflies can be found through the end of June. The area was also selected for inclusion in the Environment Agency's list of a selection of local areas across Japan home to various animals.