As of today, in season, building toward peak (~July 15). Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
The akiakane (Sympetrum frequens) is Japan's most beloved dragonfly, so iconic that 'red dragonfly' (aka-tombo) is a symbol of autumn in Japanese culture and features in beloved nursery songs.
These crimson-bodied insects undertake one of nature's most remarkable vertical migrations: emerging in lowland rice paddies in early summer, flying UP to cool mountain highlands to escape the heat, then descending en masse in autumn to breed.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Utsukushigahara Open-Air Museum (美ヶ原高原美術館) |
| Kirigamine Highlands / Kurumayama (霧ヶ峰・車山高原) |
| + 2 more spots, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.