Chiba Forest Dream Night! Resor no Mori Lantern Festival with Fireflies

Want to find a different early summer night near Tokyo? Chiba Prefecture Forest Spa ResortRisoru Forest的Fireflies and Lanterns Night (ホタルとランタンの夕べ～Hotaru with Lantern Night～)This is very suitable for planning your itinerary. The event will be held on June 13th and June 27th, 2026. Travelers will first light up LED sky lanterns and then follow a nature guide to the firefly viewing area, where they can witness the faint glow unique to early summer in the forest.

For Taiwanese travelers, this type of activity offers a more seasonal experience than regular night views. It's difficult to see natural fireflies in central Tokyo, but Genji and Heike fireflies inhabit Risō no Mori, with about a hundred fireflies flying around in mid to late June. If you want to make your Chiba trip more healing, you can arrange an overnight stay. During the day, enjoy the forest, spa, or glamping, and in the evening, participate in a lantern and firefly tour.

LED Sky Lantern + Firefly Night Tour

Registration begins at 6:00 PM on the day of the event. Sky lanterns will be lit and released at 7:40 PM, followed by a firefly watching night tour after the event concludes at 8:00 PM, ending around 8:30 PM. The sky lanterns do not use flames; they float using LEDs and helium and are retrieved by string, making them more environmentally friendly.

Participants can write wishes or draw pictures on the sky lantern, so it is recommended to arrive early to take your time completing your lantern. When taking photos on the day, please be mindful not to use strong lights that might disturb the fireflies.

Early summer scenery limited to Chiba's forests

Risoh Forest has been carrying out Satoyama conservation since 2019 to maintain the habitat for fireflies. The activity is not merely about releasing lanterns into the sky, but combines nature conservation, nighttime forest tours, and seasonal experiences. For those who enjoy nature travel, this offers more depth than typical tourist attractions.

Fireflies prefer clear streams and quiet environments. Instructions on attire and viewing methods will be provided on-site. We recommend wearing shoes that can get dirty and avoiding shoes that light up. The path may be difficult to navigate after rain, and long sleeves are recommended for mosquito protection. If you are bringing children, it is best to choose comfortable, easy-to-walk shoes and allow extra time for movement.

Activity Information and Fees

Event Name:Fireflies and Lanterns Night (ホタルとランタンの夕べ～Hotaru with Lantern Night～)

Date:Saturday, June 13, 2026, and Saturday, June 27, 2026

Price:Accommodation: 4,000 JPY per unit; Day trip general: 5,000 JPY per unit. Each unit includes 2 tickets for the firefly viewing night tour. An additional person is 1,000 JPY.

Number of sky lanterns:100 units

Address:521-4 Ueno, Nagara-machi, Chosei-gun, Chiba Prefecture

Traffic:Accessible by car approximately 5 minutes from Mobara-Nagata Smart IC; accessible by train via free shuttle bus approximately 20 minutes from the South Exit of JR Sotobo Line's Homta Station.

Reservation:Risso Forest Event Reservation Website

Activity PageRisō Forest Event Page

Suitable for an overnight stay, more relaxed than a day trip

The event venue is in Nagara Town, Chiba Prefecture. While it is accessible from the Tokyo suburbs, it will be tiring to travel back after the nighttime activities. If your budget and time allow, we recommend arranging accommodation. Resort Ginga offers accommodation options such as glamping, hotel rooms, and Dog Villas, as well as important notes for those participating with their dogs.

If you wish to bring your dog, please confirm the routes and regulations. The event page mentions that dogs are welcome to accompany you. However, there are restrictions on entering certain reception areas. Within the venue, it is also necessary to use covered backpack-style pet carriers or similar methods to avoid disturbing the event and the natural environment.

A small reminder for Taiwanese travelers

This event is perfect for those who want to escape the Tokyo metropolitan area and experience Japan's early summer nature. Don't rush through it; you can spend the day walking in Risao Forest, soaking in the hot springs, or enjoying the outdoor facilities. In the evening, you can participate in the lantern and firefly tour. If you're only interested in taking beautiful photos and not the nature experience, you might find the travel a bit inconvenient. However, for those who love forests, night walks, and seasonal activities, this will be an unforgettable night.

The "Day Trip" general admission tickets for June 13th are sold out. Applications for the June 27th date will be accepted starting from May 22nd at 5:00 PM. The event will proceed rain or shine. In case of adverse weather, it will be postponed to June 14th or June 28th. Please be sure to check the weather and event notifications before departing.