[Topics] A documentary film showcasing the activities of the Hikosan Biological Laboratory, affiliated with the School of Agriculture, will be released to the public.

A valuable visual record capturing the natural environment and historical heritage of Mount Hiko.

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Points

1. The Hikosan Biological Laboratory, affiliated with the School of Agriculture at Kyushu University, is located on the mid-slope (elevation 670 meters) of Mt. Hiko (elevation 1,199 meters) in Soeda Town, Tagawa District, Fukuoka Prefecture. The Laboratory has contributed to research primarily focused on insects inhabiting Mt. Hiko and has been utilized by Kyushu University faculty, students, and visiting researchers from outside the university, resulting in numerous academic achievements.
2. The origins of the facility trace back to an entomological laboratory established in 1900 (Meiji 33) by Baron Nobumaro Takachiho, the chief priest of Hikosan Shrine. In 1936 (Showa 11), the laboratory was transferred to Kyushu Imperial University and reestablished as the Hikosan Biological Research Institute. Since then, the facility has undergone several name changes, eventually adopting its current designation.
3. As the facility was established on the former site of the Zasu-in Temple, it holds historical significance, including features such as a garden in the Sesshū style, and is considered an important cultural heritage site.
4. This documentary film has been compiled and produced by filmmaker Kimihiro Kodama, a resident of Fukuoka City, who spent approximately four years capturing footage of research activities at the facility, as well as scenes related to its historical and literary significance. The film is now set to be released to the public.

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Abstract

The Hikosan Biological Laboratory was established to elucidate the characteristics of organisms native to Kyushu, with a particular focus on insects, and continues to serve this purpose today. Over the approximately 90 years since its founding, the facility has accumulated more than 300,000 insect specimens, and numerous academic publications have resulted from this research. Mt. Hiko is home to diverse natural forests, and the facility's capacity to accommodate long-term stays has enabled extended field studies. As a result, more than 50 new species, including Pterostichus macrocephalus (Hikosan large long-headed ground beetle), have been discovered to date.

This documentary film features rare insect species inhabiting Mt. Hiko, such as Tuberonotha strenua and Eurythyrea tenuistriata, as well as scenes of insect collection conducted by Kyushu University staff, students, and local entomology enthusiasts. It also introduces the legacy of Baron Nobumaro Takachiho, who founded the original entomological laboratory; anecdotes about the haiku poet Hisajo Sugita, who frequently visited Mt. Hiko and composed numerous poems there; and the historical significance of the facility grounds, which were formerly the site of the Zasu-in Temple.

A preview screening of the documentary film Kyushu University Hikosan Biological Laboratory is scheduled as follows.

Date and Time	Saturday, June 21, 2025 Screenings: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00 (two showings)
Venue	Ajibi Hall, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum [3-1 Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City]
Date and Time	Sunday, June 29, 2025 Screenings: 11:00-13:00 and 15:00-17:00 (two showings)
Venue	Cinema House Otsuka 4-7-4-101 Sugamo, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0002, Japan

Please note that seating at the screening venues is limited, and reservations will be closed once capacity is reached. If you wish to attend, please contact Director Kimihiro Kodama at:
Phone: 090-1515-3227
Email: shiho★orange.ocn.ne.jp
(Please replace the ★ with @ when sending an email.)

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Researcher's Comment

Established on Mt. Hiko, a site long known for its rich diversity of insect life, the Kyushu University Hikosan Biological Laboratory has served as a monitoring site for biodiversity research for nearly 90 years. For those pursuing entomology, the facility offers not only access to a wide variety of insect species, but also a rare opportunity to experience the origins and historical development of Japanese entomology firsthand.
It is my sincere hope that this documentary film will serve as a catalyst for recognizing the facility as a symbol of both the natural and historical heritage of Mt. Hiko.
(Toshiya Hirowatari)

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For Research-related inquiries

Toshiya Hirowatari, Specially Appointed Academic Faculty
TEL: 090-3721-5364
Mail: hirowat_t★agr.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Please replace ★ with @ in the email address