While Toyama (富山) is often overlooked by tourists who flock to the neighboring Ishikawa (石川), this off-the-beaten-path city has a lot to offer. Toyama is home to a small castle, a spectacular glass museum, and the amazing hotaru ika (ほたるいか) or firefly squid. However, there is one more spot that makes it a worthwhile city…

Did you know that every year, the shorelines of Toyama Bay are lined with a glowing blue color? This light show is not man-made but a natural phenomenon made possible by thousands of watasenia scintillans or firefly squids. They can be found in the bay in abundance during the spring season, from March to June.…