Matsuri Guide

Name in Japanese and English

• 塩江ホタルまつり（しおのえ ほたるまつり）
• Shionoe Firefly Festival

History

The Shionoe Hotaru Matsuri（塩江ホタルまつり） is a signature early-summer event in the hot-spring area of Shionoe（塩江, Shionoe）south of Takamatsu（高松, Takamatsu）, known as one of the local “four major festivals” (alongside celebrations of sakura（桜, sakura）, onsen（温泉, onsen） and momiji（紅葉, momiji）). Historically, it highlights the season of fireflies（蛍, hotaru）, especially Genji botaru（ゲンジボタル）, which appear in early summer along the valley’s waterways.

In its “matsuri” format, the day combined a nature-focused side (observation routes and sometimes a dedicated facility such as Hotaru-kan（ホタル館）) with a festive side (food stalls, activities, and a stage). After the cancellations during the COVID period, local communication placed more emphasis on guided/organized observation formats such as hotaru kansatsu-kai（ホタル観察会） and dedicated outings/tours, while keeping the “early summer in Shionoe” spirit centered on fireflies.

Event location and date

• Location: Hotaru to Bunka no Sato Kōen（ホタルと文化の里公園, Hotaru to Bunka no Sato kōen）, Shionoe（塩江, Shionoe）area in Takamatsu（高松, Takamatsu）.
• Address: 〒761-1611 香川県高松市塩江町安原上602（Kagawa-ken, Takamatsu-shi, Shionoe-chō, Yasuhara-kami 602）.
• GPS coordinates: 34.175820° N, 134.079351° E.
• Access: from JR Takamatsu-eki（高松駅, Takamatsu-eki）, take Kotoden Bus（ことでんバス, Kotoden basu）toward Shionoe（塩江, Shionoe）(about 1h); get off at Shionoe（塩江, Shionoe）and walk ~10 min. By car: about 15–25 min from Takamatsu Kūkō（高松空港, Takamatsu kūkō）depending on traffic. Parking is available on site (often heavily used on busy evenings).
• Date: traditionally the 2nd Saturday of June (afternoon/evening); recent formats may take the form of observation evenings (depending on the year).

Schedule

The spirit of the event is twofold: enjoy an early-summer evening in Shionoe and observe the fireflies（蛍, hotaru）in a respectful atmosphere (quiet voices, minimal light). People come for the beauty of the natural phenomenon, but also for the warm, relaxed feel of a valley hot-spring town.

When the “matsuri” version is held, the afternoon starts with stalls and activities, and the evening focuses on the highlights: an observation route/area（観賞, kanshō）, sometimes a dedicated facility such as Hotaru-kan（ホタル館）, and a stage（ステージ, sutēji）with local performances. In more recent formats, you mainly find hotaru kansatsu-kai（ホタル観察会） or guided outings, with an observation window generally around 20h–21h, when firefly activity is most visible.

What really stands out is the contrast between the calm riverside and the points of light appearing in the dark. The best “show” often comes when you slow down: little noise, no flash, and only gentle ground lighting when needed.

Practical tips

Photos

Go for low-light settings: wide aperture, high ISO, and stabilization (or a tripod if permitted and without blocking others). Flash is not allowed: remember to disable flash and AF assist light. A small dimmable light aimed at the ground is enough to move safely. The best window is often around 20h30, depending on weather and humidity.

Weather

Early June in Shionoe: evenings are often mild and humid, sometimes with light rain. Bring a light layer (thin jacket) and shoes suited to paths (wet ground, grass, riverside). If it rains, a poncho is more practical than an umbrella in narrow areas.

Transport

Kotoden Bus（ことでんバス, Kotoden basu）to Shionoe（塩江, Shionoe） is the simplest option from central Takamatsu if you are not driving. If you come by car, arrive early: parking near the park can fill up quickly on busy evenings. Some one-off programs also exist as tours (bus/visits) announced case by case.

Visitor tips

For a comfortable viewing experience: keep your voice down, turn off your phone screen whenever possible, and give your eyes 5–10 minutes to adjust. If you want to combine activities, Shionoe is great for an “onsen + fireflies” plan: bath in late afternoon, then observation. A useful phrase: “Furasshu wa dame desu.”（フラッシュはだめです） = “No flash.”

What to bring

Cash, power bank, poncho, insect repellent, small light (low mode), light jacket, and a bag to keep your hands free.

Sources & References

• しおのえネット : “今年もホタルが飛び始めました。【観賞マナーを守りましょう】”

  Viewing guidelines (light, quiet, no flash) and seasonal/time reference points.

• じゃらん : “ホタルと文化の里公園” (accès)

• Access and transport pointers (bus, car) to reach the site.

• 高松観光 : “塩江” (contexte de la zone)

  Tourism context for Shionoe and mention of major seasonal highlights.