The two kids to the left aren't mine but I thought better to get a full house picture.
These days I have been looking for more outdoor based places to take my kids. There is always the park but you know, kids get bored easily. A few weeks ago I saved this place on google maps and thought I'd take the twins there one day. Well, last Saturday was that day.
Gunma Insect World is a huge park dedicated to bugs. It is an insect observation facility and learning center in Kiryū, Gunma, Japan. The main building below was designed in 2005 by Takenaka Corporation and three other firms. The facility has insects in the bushes as well insect indoors for a closer look.
*As you can see from the map above it is a pretty huge facility. So huge that we didn't even get to explore the entire space as one of the twos fell and claimed he couldn’t go any further ( I think he did it on purpose so we could leave ..maybe). The first place we went to was the indoor observatory ( it’s spacious so no need to worry about social distancing) , but even on the way there, many insects could be seen in the wild. Many kids brought their nets and caught grasshoppers and dragonflies on the way. We even saw a crab in the stream.
In the observatory there were insects galore, alive an preserved. This fellow below caught my attention with his aquatic skills. If you look closely at his legs, you can see they are fin-like.
There were no bugs to grub on😅 but they had information about countries around the world where bug eating is a part of the culture. Look at the big ones to the right? They look like mutated cockroaches don't they?
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The Beetles are what most kids come for
In Japan, beetles are prized pets. Some fetching up to $500. I think this metallic colored beetle would fall into that category. It is called a
"Rainbow stag" or in Japanese ニジイロクワガタ ( Nijirokukuwagata). Such a beautiful color. Each bug was in its own tank with a mini log-wood they could hangout on. As I am typing this I am figuring out the names and learning through the power of the internet.😁
This fellow is called コクワガタ ( Kokuwagata) or in English, we just say Stag beetle. The "ko" means small as there is a Kuwagata with bigger horns. This was a muscular looking fella. Somewhere in the world they would probably be drooling over this.😆
This beetle below was the biggest and had brown tones at various parts of its joints. It is known as the "Hercules beetle" (ヘラクレスオオカブト). I have never seen one in the wild before, so that tells me that someone would pay top Yen for a beetle like this. The beetle pet culture is so huge in Japan that people even smuggle them into the country and sell them for profit.
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This beetle below is called ギラファノコギリクワガタ (Gila Fanoko Gili Stag Beetle). Look at the size of those horns? The beetles usually use their horns in battle ( and boy do they love to) or to move things out their path. It also warns of enemies, usually other beetles. The bigger the size the bigger the threat.
The Butterfly Sanctuary
The place I enjoyed the most was the butterfly sanctuary. We could see dozens of different species floating around in this dome.The dome also had a man made mini water fall that gave you the feeling of being in the Amazon. Here is some footage I took.
Great Photo Spots
The Gunma Insect world also has great photo props for the kiddies ( or the kid in you). It was easy to get the twins to pose up on the wooden insect structures. usually is is hard to get them to take any pics at all. At this point, Yumae in the background was ready to leave, he was the one that fell, so he wasn't into taking any more pics.😌
On the way out, Kamar decided to visit the beetle pic station one last time. I am glad he did. Perfect. His picture came out great.
Well if you are ever in Japan, do check out the Gunma Insect World if you are into insects. Your kids will love it.
Hey, before you go, do check out my tunes and sub to my Reggae/ Caribbean community on HIVE😃
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