Toyama Bay

Toyama Bay is geologically notable for its extreme depths, dropping rapidly to over 1,000 meters close to the shoreline. This dramatic underwater topography brings deep ocean currents and deep-sea creatures unusually close to the coast of Toyama Prefecture on the Sea of Japan side of Honshu.

Toyama Bay is famous for the firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans), small bioluminescent squid that rise to the surface in massive numbers during spring to breed. The glowing blue light produced by millions of these squid creates a spectacular natural phenomenon along the coast, particularly around the city of Namerikawa.

Toyama Bay is situated in Toyama Prefecture on the northern coast of central Honshu, Japan, facing the Sea of Japan. It is one of the three major deep bays of Japan and is fed by several rivers flowing from the Northern Japan Alps.

Toyama Bay's extreme depth near the shore occasionally brings deep-sea creatures, including giant squid (Architeuthis dux), close to the surface, and specimens have been found in the bay's waters. However, such sightings are rare and typically involve injured or dying animals rather than healthy squid actively inhabiting the bay.