Hotaruika Museum

The Hotaruika Museum is a facility in Namerikawa dedicated to studying firefly squids and their natural home in Toyama Bay. It offers exhibits, aquariums, and interactive displays that teach visitors about these marine creatures.

The facility was founded in 1998 to showcase local marine life of Toyama Bay and provide education. It began as a way to preserve knowledge about these unique creatures for future generations.

The museum shows the town's connection to firefly squid fishing through displays of traditional catching methods and local food preparations. Visitors can see how these creatures have been part of everyday life here for generations.

The museum is located in Wave Park and is easy to reach on foot. Most visitors should plan enough time to fully explore the aquariums and interactive exhibits.

Between March and May, visitors can watch live firefly squids display their natural glow in specially designed aquariums. This rare sight offers a glimpse into a phenomenon that is otherwise difficult to see in the wild.

Location: Namerikawa

Inception: April 17, 1998

Architects: Tom Heneghan

Official opening: April 17, 1998

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Monday 09:00-17:00

Phone: +81764769300

Website: https://hotaruikamuseum.com/museum

GPS coordinates: 36.77410,137.34448

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:07