🗺️ Firefly Squid Museumほたるいかミュージアム（Hotaruika Museum）

Hirakawa Coast is one of Japan's top areas for catching firefly squid, and along the coast, there is a rest area called "Waves Park Hirakawa," which features an experiential museum, the "Firefly Squid Museum." Visitors can enjoy a participatory live theater showcasing the glowing spectacle of firefly squid, as well as learn about deep-sea marine life in the "Mysterious Deep Sea," where they can interact with the creatures in a fun environment. This allows for an engaging exploration of the ecology of firefly squid and the mysteries of Toyama Bay, their habitat. The firefly squid light show is only visible from mid-March to late May. During this popular spring event, visitors can see the lively firefly squid glowing up close. At other times of the year, the light show features glowing plankton as the main attraction. The theater also screens videos year-round about catching firefly squid and marine sightseeing. Every year from April to early May, there is a limited-time "Firefly Squid Marine Sightseeing" event. From sightseeing boats, visitors can watch the firefly squid shimmering with a dreamlike glow and see fishermen catching them with fixed nets, making it a very popular activity. The boats depart from the fishing port in front of the "Firefly Squid Museum" before dawn.

Understand the structure of the glowing firefly squid through various experiences. The facility has a restaurant and a souvenir shop. It is located next to the popular "Thalassopia," which features a deep seawater swimming pool.