Observing Spot Guide
Dark sky locations for stargazing, rated by light pollution level.
Bisei Astronomisk Observatorium i Japan — Japans første lyspollutasjon-forebyggelsesforordning beskytter stjernehimmelen
Bisei Astronomisk Observatorium i Japan — Japans første lyspollutasjon-forebyggelsesforordning beskytter stjernehimmelen
Bisei By i Okayama-prefekturen vedtok Japans første lyspollutasjonsforebyggelsesforordning. Bisei Astronomical Observatory med sin 101cm teleskop tilbyr ekte stjernehimmel beskyttet av denne historiske forordningen.
Biei-bakker i Japan — 360-graders stjernesky-panorama over Hokkaidos rullekuller
Biei-bakker i Japan — 360-graders stjernesky-panorama over Hokkaidos rullekuller
De vidtstrakte rullekullen i Biei By tilbyr en uobstruksjonen 360-graders stjernesky-panorama. Fire årstider av landskap og stjernesky samarbeider vakkert her.
Amagi høylandet — 1000m over Izu-halvøyen, se Stillehavets vannlinje og stjerneskylen
Amagi høylandet — 1000m over Izu-halvøyen, se Stillehavets vannlinje og stjerneskylen
Amagi høylandet i Izu-byen i Shizuoka-prefekturen på høyde omkring 1000m. En åpen stjernesky som strekker seg til vannlinjen av Stillehavet er attraktiv på fjellplatået.
Akiyoshidai — 360-graders stjerneprakt over Japans største karstplatå
Akiyoshidai — 360-graders stjerneprakt over Japans største karstplatå
Akiyoshidai i Yamaguchi-prefekturen er Japans største karstplatå. Den unike topografien med hvite kalksteinblokker og 360-graders stjernesky skaper en uvanlig observasjonsopplevelse.
Achi-landsbyen — Japans beste stjernehimmel ifølge Miljøvernsdepartementet
Achi-landsbyen — Japans beste stjernehimmel ifølge Miljøvernsdepartementet
Achi-landsbyen i Nagano-prefekturen ble valgt som nummer én plass for stjerneobservasjon av Japans miljøvernsdepartement. Nambai Park tilbyr en fantastisk stjerneklar natt.
Zamami Island — Okinawa's Island Paradise Where Kerama-Blue Sea Meets Starry Night Skies
Zamami Island — Okinawa's Island Paradise Where Kerama-Blue Sea Meets Starry Night Skies
Zamami Island in Okinawa's Kerama Islands National Park offers crystal-clear waters by day and dark skies by night. Experience diving and stargazing in equal measure.
Iwate Mountain Yakehashiri International Exchange Village — Starry Nights Above Volcanic Lava Flows
Iwate Mountain Yakehashiri International Exchange Village — Starry Nights Above Volcanic Lava Flows
The Yakehashiri International Exchange Village in Iwate features a Galaxy Station telescope. Combine stargazing with Japan's iconic lava flows for a unique northern Honshu experience.
Utsukushigahara Highland — Japan's 2,000-Meter Lava Plateau with World-Class Starry Skies
Utsukushigahara Highland — Japan's 2,000-Meter Lava Plateau with World-Class Starry Skies
Utsukushigahara Highland at 2,000 meters is Japan's largest lava plateau. Thin atmosphere and light-free environment reveal even faint nebulae—among Japan's finest stargazing lands.
Shirabiso Highland — Japan's Darkest Starscape at 1,918 Meters Without Street Lights
Shirabiso Highland — Japan's Darkest Starscape at 1,918 Meters Without Street Lights
Shirabiso Highland in Iida, Nagano stretches at 1,918 meters with zero street lighting—an ultimate darkness sanctuary. Surrounded by Southern Alps peaks, this is a hidden stargazing paradise.
Shimanto Observatory — Guided Stargazing in Kochi's 'Star Town'
Shimanto Observatory — Guided Stargazing in Kochi's 'Star Town'
Shimanto Observatory in Nishi-Tosashimizu, Kochi is a public observatory in the nationally-designated 'Star Town.' Professional guides lead visitors through stellar observation above the pristine Shimanto River.
Lake Shikaribetsu — Hokkaido's Highest Lake (810m) with Pitch-Black Starry Skies
Lake Shikaribetsu — Hokkaido's Highest Lake (810m) with Pitch-Black Starry Skies
Lake Shikaribetsu, Hokkaido's highest natural lake at 810 meters, offers pristine darkness and a stunning Milky Way visible to the naked eye—Japan's ultimate stargazing lake.
Senjogahara — Nikko's Pristine High-Moor Stargazing at 1,400 Meters in Kanto
Senjogahara — Nikko's Pristine High-Moor Stargazing at 1,400 Meters in Kanto
Senjogahara, at 1,400 meters in Nikko, Tochigi, is a Ramsar-listed wetland. With virtually zero light pollution, the Milky Way shines vividly—Kanto's finest stargazing.
Onidake Observatory — Kyushu's Darkest Skies on the Goto Islands with a 60cm Telescope
Onidake Observatory — Kyushu's Darkest Skies on the Goto Islands with a 60cm Telescope
Onidake Observatory on Fukue Island, Goto Islands, features a 60cm telescope. The island's pristine, pitch-black night sky offers a stargazing experience beyond mainland reach.
Lake Okutama — Tokyo's Darkest Starry Skies Within Two Hours of the City
Lake Okutama — Tokyo's Darkest Starry Skies Within Two Hours of the City
Lake Okutama, about 2 hours from Tokyo by train and bus, offers faint Milky Way views within the capital—a precious urban-accessible stargazing spot.
Odaigahara — Japan's Sacred Mountain Peak with 360-Degree Starry Skies in Kii
Odaigahara — Japan's Sacred Mountain Peak with 360-Degree Starry Skies in Kii
Odaigahara at 1,695 meters on the Nara-Mie border is Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. The Hi-no-De Peak observation platform offers Kansai's darkest, most beautiful starry skies.
Nobeyama Plateau — Japan's Radio Astronomy Hub with Starry Nights Above 1,350 Meters
Nobeyama Plateau — Japan's Radio Astronomy Hub with Starry Nights Above 1,350 Meters
Nobeyama Plateau in Nagano hosts the National Astronomical Observatory's radio telescope station. The 45m dish and starry skies create a uniquely magical landscape.
Misato Observatory — Wakayama's 105cm Telescope with Expert Stargazing Guidance
Misato Observatory — Wakayama's 105cm Telescope with Expert Stargazing Guidance
Misato Observatory in Kimi, Wakayama features a 105cm reflecting telescope. Professional staff guide beginners through stars visible from Japan's Kii region.
Mineyama Highland — Hyogo's Resort Plateau for Starry Nights Above 930 Meters
Mineyama Highland — Hyogo's Resort Plateau for Starry Nights Above 930 Meters
Mineyama Highland in Kanzaki, Hyogo stretches at 930 meters elevation. Hotels and camping facilities offer relaxed stargazing in the Kansai region's underrated gem.
Minami-Aso Luna Observatory — Starry Nights and Fine Dining in Aso's Auberge
Minami-Aso Luna Observatory — Starry Nights and Fine Dining in Aso's Auberge
Minami-Aso Luna Observatory in Kumamoto features an 82cm telescope and an affiliated auberge. Stay overnight and enjoy both Aso's starry skies and gourmet cuisine.
Kuma Kogen Observatory — Shikoku's Largest 60cm Telescope for Cosmic Discovery
Kuma Kogen Observatory — Shikoku's Largest 60cm Telescope for Cosmic Discovery
Kuma Kogen Observatory in Kumakogen, Ehime features a 60cm reflecting telescope—Shikoku's largest. Located at 800 meters elevation, enjoy Shikoku's finest stargazing.
Kuju Highland — Kyushu's Premier Starry Grassland at the Foot of the Kuju Mountains
Kuju Highland — Kyushu's Premier Starry Grassland at the Foot of the Kuju Mountains
Kuju Highland in Taketa, Oita Prefecture, spreads beneath the Kuju mountain range at 800 meters elevation. This vast grassland offers Kyushu's finest stargazing landscape.
Kihoku Tenkyuukan — Recognized 7 Times as Japan's Best Starry Skies in Kagoshima
Kihoku Tenkyuukan — Recognized 7 Times as Japan's Best Starry Skies in Kagoshima
Kihoku Observatory in Kanoya, Kagoshima has been designated 'Japan's Best Starry Skies' by the Ministry of the Environment 7 times. Observe the night sky above Mount Sakurajima's silhouette.
Jododaira Observatory — Tohoku's Best Stargazing at 1,575 Meters Elevation
Jododaira Observatory — Tohoku's Best Stargazing at 1,575 Meters Elevation
Located at 1,575 meters on the Bandai-Asahi Skyline in Fukushima, Jododaira Observatory combines a 40cm telescope with exceptional transparency for Tohoku's finest starry nights.
Ishigaki Island Astronomical Observatory — Japan's First Star Protection Zone with the Southern Cross
Ishigaki Island Astronomical Observatory — Japan's First Star Protection Zone with the Southern Cross
Ishigaki Astronomical Observatory in Okinawa features Kyushu and Okinawa's largest 105cm telescope. Located in Japan's first designated star protection zone, the Southern Cross is within reach.
Hateruma Island Stargazing Tower — Japan's Southernmost Stargazing Experience with the Southern Cross
Hateruma Island Stargazing Tower — Japan's Southernmost Stargazing Experience with the Southern Cross
Hateruma Island, Japan's southernmost inhabited island, offers views of 84 constellations including the Southern Cross. Experience the best stargazing in Japan from the nation's southern edge.
Gunma Astronomical Observatory — Japan's Largest Public 150cm Telescope in the Kanto Region
Gunma Astronomical Observatory — Japan's Largest Public 150cm Telescope in the Kanto Region
Gunma Astronomical Observatory in Takayama, Gunma Prefecture showcases one of Japan's largest 150cm telescopes open to the public, making it one of the Kanto region's most comprehensive observation facilities.
Gomadanzan (Mt. Gomadan) — Japan's Spiritual Peak Overlooking the Starlit Sea of the Kii Peninsula
Gomadanzan (Mt. Gomadan) — Japan's Spiritual Peak Overlooking the Starlit Sea of the Kii Peninsula
Gomadanzan, at 1,372 meters, is Wakayama Prefecture's highest peak along the Koya-Ryujin Skyline. Surrounded by deep forests of the Kii Mountains, this offers an ultimate dark stargazing experience.
Ginganomori Observatory (Rikubetsu) — Japan's Largest Public Telescope for Stargazing in the 'Town of Stars'
Ginganomori Observatory (Rikubetsu) — Japan's Largest Public Telescope for Stargazing in the 'Town of Stars'
Ginganomori Observatory in Rikubetsu, Hokkaido features a 115cm reflecting telescope—Japan's largest public observatory. Discover the ultimate stargazing environment in a town designated as a 'Star Town.'
Dodaira Observatory 'Star and Green Creation Center' — Full-Scale Astronomy Experience at a Former National Observatory in Japan
Dodaira Observatory 'Star and Green Creation Center' — Full-Scale Astronomy Experience at a Former National Observatory in Japan
Dodaira Observatory in Tokigawa, Saitama is home to the 91cm telescope once used by the National Observatory of Japan. Overnight observation of the heavens is possible.
Chokai Highland (Flower-Stand Pasture Park) — Japan's 2nd Best Stargazing Spot in Akita
Chokai Highland (Flower-Stand Pasture Park) — Japan's 2nd Best Stargazing Spot in Akita
Chokai Highland in Akita Prefecture ranks 2nd nationally in Japan's stargazing survey. The sight of countless stars above the mountain pasture is breathtaking.