A while ago, I wrote an article about how to take care of rhinoceros beetles, which has received some attention on my old blog. Prompted by the comment below, I decided to write about rhinoceros beetle parks in Japan.
May 7, 2013 at 1:25 AM
hi there, does anyone know of a park outside of tokyo where kids can go to find kabatomushis? sort of like a stocked trout pond for beetles?
Anonymous
Given the popularity of rhinoceros beetles (known as “kabuto mushi” in Japanese), surely there must be at least a few parks like this!
So, I took to the internet.
Based on the search results, there are indeed several of these kabuto mushi “hunting” parks with stocked beetles. I’ve compiled some of these Japanese rhinoceros beetle collecting parks into a list.
Below are some of the higher recommended rhinoceros beetle hunting grounds and beetle collecting parks. If you decide to visit one of these, please double check the information by using Google translate or have a friend who can read Japanese help out.
Happy hunting!
Rhinoceros Beetle Parks in Japan
Kobayashi Blueberry and Beetle Park (in Yamanashi Prefecture)
Address: 401-0320 Yamanashi-ken, Minamitsuru-gun, Narusawa-mura, Azausudawa 1378-1
Phone: 080-1067-2843 (day), 0555-85-2057
Open/Beetle Season: Everyday, 9:00-17:00, from mid-July to end of season
Fee: 400 yen (catch a pair of rhinoceros beetles), 300 yen (catch a male rhinoceros beetle), 100 yen (catch a female rhinoceros beetle)
Reservations: To catch kabuto mushi or pick blueberries, please call to make a reservation. Same day reservation is okay.
Website: Kobayashi Blueberry Sightseeing Park (in Japanese)
Shitake Land Kasaya (in Hyogo Prefecture)
Address: 669-1346 Hyogo-ken, Mita-shi, Kamiaino 373
Phone: 079-568-1301
E-mail: info@kasaya.net
Open: Everyday, 9:00-17:00 (reception from 9:00-15:30), from mid-July to mid-August
Fee: 1,000 yen (guaranteed pair of beetles — one male, one female. Free pass to the insect specimen hall.)
Reservations: Please make a reservation by telephone.
Website: Shitake Land Kasaya (in Japanese)
Komatsuzawa Leisure Farm (in Saitama Prefecture)
Address: 368-0072 Saitama-ken, Chichibugun, Yokoze-machi, Oaza yokoze
Phone: 0494-24-0412
Open: Everyday, 9:00-16:00 (reception from 9:00-15:00), from July 1 to August 7
Fee: 1,300 yen (male-female stag or rhinoceros beetle pair. Should take about 20 minutes.)
Reservations: Reservation can be made online, but isn’t required.
Website: Komatsuzawa Leisure Farm (in Japanese)
