TAKAMATSU, Japan - Summer has arrived, heralded by the appearance of lightning bugs near Hisashimizu River in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture.
Local residents have been enjoying the display put on by these luminous insects, which emanate electric shades of yellow and green as they flit around the water.
Yasuo Takahashi, an 81-year-old dedicated to preserving the area's natural beauty, noted that the fireflies began appearing earlier this month.
Typically, they emerge from the bushes by the river around dusk, and by eight o'clock in the evening, dozens can be seen flying, leaving trails of light behind them.
The number of fireflies is expected to increase as the days grow hotter, with large gatherings anticipated on calm nights with light wind.
"The spectacle of fireflies' glowing lights can ease the minds of the people who see them," Takahashi said. "Hopefully people will be respectful and enjoy the show without disrupting the peace."
Takahashi also mentioned that the fireflies would likely continue appearing until the end of May.
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