MAEBASHI -- Gunma Insect World, an insect-themed interactive educational facility, is celebrating its 15-year anniversary. Located in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, it is one of the largest of its kind in the country.
As the number of visitors to the park increases, so does its popularity, allowing it to build a strong fanbase. This trend is fueled by the clever and creative ideas of the staff and nearby residents.
The main attraction is the Konchu Kansatsukan, which is a glass building dedicated to observing insects, designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando. The greenhouse inside the building, which is 1,100 square meters, recreates a subtropical world where visitors can observe butterflies and many other insects.
The prefectural facility fully opened in August 2005, and since fiscal 2016 the park has had a record number of visitors for three consecutive years, exceeding 130,000 for the first time in fiscal 2018.
Previously, in fiscal 2008, the facility had a record low of fewer than 90,000 visitors. To address this, the Gunma governor's advisory panel, which reviews the management of public facilities, suggested Gunma Insect World needed to reexamine its operation and make a concerted effort to increase the number of visitors. The facility had to cut staff from 17 to 10 and had its operating costs reduced from about 260 million yen to about 100 million yen, while still being required to increase its visitor numbers to about 100,000.
To help the facility, more than 100 residents in the neighborhood volunteered to organize events, such as firefly observations and exploring both the natural and artificial environments of the local satoyama hills and the surrounding area. Employees also visited schools and other locations to advertise the facility, and through everyone's combined efforts, the park managed to reach its visitor goal at little cost to themselves.
The number of visitors for fiscal 2019 came under 130,000 because the facility had to temporarily close starting on March 2 because of the coronavirus pandemic but reopened on June 2.
The park started its 15th anniversary celebration on July 4 to recoup some of the loss in income. A few of the highlights include an insect food exhibition, which introduces crickets and other insects as a source of protein in the future, and a display featuring various processed foods containing insects. Information on restaurants that serve insects as food is also provided.
Currently, a reservation is required to visit the park on weekends and national holidays.
"I hope to improve the educational quality of the facility," said the director, Makoto Abe.
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