The interactive insect event "Shibuya Insect Exploration Team ~Discovery! Beetles and Stag Beetles of the World~" will begin on July 25th at a special venue on the 6th and 7th floors of the Movida Building at Seibu Shibuya Department Store. The event is organized by KIRINZI (Shibuya Ward).

The event, themed around "See, Learn, and Interact," introduces insects from Japan and around the world. It features over 700 insects, including specimens and live insects, and offers content such as specimen displays, observation experiences simulating nighttime conditions, and opportunities to interact with insects.

The insect specimen exhibition, created in cooperation with the insect specialty store "Mushi-sha," showcases over 300 insects, including rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles from around the world, the world's largest stick insect (reaching 55 cm in length), the Goliath birdwing butterfly (with a wingspan exceeding 20 cm), and the leaf-like giant leaf insect. The exhibition explains the characteristics and ecology of each species, allowing visitors to compare the appearances and differences of the insects.

In an interactive area that recreates a nocturnal environment, visitors can observe live insects with flashlights in hand. More than 15 species of beetles and stag beetles from Japan and abroad are on display, including Hercules beetles, Giraffa stag beetles, Caucasus beetles, and Lacordaire's stag beetles. A black scorpion that glows blue when exposed to UV light will also be featured.

The venue will also feature a "giant insect cage" measuring 7.2 meters high and 6.2 meters wide. Visitors will be able to enter the cage themselves and spend time in the same space as Japanese and international rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles, observing the movements and strength of live insects up close.

As part of an initiative to support summer vacation independent research projects, visitors will be given original worksheets. They can tour the venue, writing down what they noticed and the characteristics of the insects, and use the worksheets to help with their independent research projects.

The special supporter is YouTuber Mushioka Daiki, who posts videos of insect collecting and other related content. At the venue, insects that Mushioka has actually collected will be on display, and he will also be visiting as a "One-Day Captain" on July 27th.

The merchandise corner will sell live rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles, as well as breeding supplies. They will also carry soft vinyl figures and acrylic stands by Mushioka, hand towels and bags by Minoji, an illustrator who works with animals as her theme, and books and stationery from Mushisha. In addition, all attendees will receive an event-original "explorer badge-style sticker."

Opening hours are 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM). Advance tickets (purchased by July 24th) are 1,200 yen for elementary school students and 1,700 yen for junior high school students and older. Tickets that include a live rhinoceros beetle or stag beetle are 2,100 yen for elementary school students and 2,600 yen for junior high school students and older. Tickets purchased on the day of the event will be 100 yen more. Preschool children are admitted free of charge. Tickets with live insects may sell out depending on availability.

Until August 16th.

Venue