"Shimanto's Genji Fireflies." Genji fireflies flying over the Shimanto River.

"Forest fireflies." Unlike regular fireflies, fireflies spend their entire lives in the forest without going down to the river. Because of their flickering orange light, they are also known locally as "golden fireflies."

"Moonlit Waterfall." Maruo Falls in Kirishima, Kagoshima Prefecture. On a cold January night, the waterfall glitters in the light of the full moon, cascading down the rock face with its columnar joints.

"Takachiho Gorge, where spring water flows." A basalt columnar jointed valley in Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture. When magma slowly cools underground, it forms a geometric pattern of hexagonal columns. In this mystical valley of legend, the clear water of

"Genji fireflies." This photo was taken in "Akatani" in the mountainous area of Shimane Prefecture. The firefly on the left is male because the two segments on its rear are glowing, and the one on the right is female. The place name "Akatani" is said to h

"Spring Water Damselflies." Damselflies swarm around a spring that springs from the foot of the Kirishima mountain range in Miyazaki Prefecture.

"Mt. Chokai's spring water." A waterfall called Mototaki Furyusui in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture. Rain and snow that falls on Mt. Chokai is filtered through layers of volcanic rock over the years, and then gushes out from this waterfall.