Hotaru-ika, or firefly squid, are small bioluminescent squid that rise from the depths of Toyama Bay to the surface in vast numbers each spring, an event considered one of the bay’s signature natural phenomena and best experienced on a pre-dawn boat tour off the Namerikawa coast, where the glowing squid can sometimes be seen washing up along the shoreline itself. The season is also celebrated with a dedicated Hotaru-ika Squid Festival each spring, and the squid itself is served across Toyama as a seasonal delicacy, typically boiled and dressed with vinegar-miso sauce.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Namerikawa coast, Toyama Bay |
| Hours | Pre-dawn boat tours in season (roughly March–May) |
| Admission | Boat tours typically ¥3,000–4,000 |
| Time needed | Early morning, 1–2 hours for a tour |
| Best time | March–May, pre-dawn viewing |
What to See
- The bioluminescent glow of hotaru-ika rising to the surface.
- Pre-dawn boat tours off the Namerikawa coast.
- The seasonal Hotaru-ika Squid Festival celebrating the phenomenon.
- Hotaru-ika served as a local delicacy, typically with vinegar-miso sauce.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Shiro-ebi White Shrimp tasting, another Toyama Bay specialty.
- Pair with Toyama Bay sightseeing.
- Read our Toyama overview .
Getting There
- By train: JR Namerikawa Station, boat tour departure points nearby.
- By car: parking available near the Namerikawa waterfront.
Tips
Boat tours depart very early, often before dawn, so plan accommodation nearby the night before rather than trying to arrive from further afield the same morning. The glow is a genuinely faint bioluminescence rather than a bright light show, so tours in darker, moonless conditions typically offer the best visibility.
