Stargazing at Rikubetsu: how do you visit the Ginga no Mori Observatory?

Rikubetsu, in eastern Hokkaido, is home to the Ginga no Mori Observatory (Rikubetsu Space and Earth Science Museum), whose 115 cm reflector is one of the largest public-access telescopes in Japan. It is open into the night, so you can see planets, nebulae and galaxies through it, then step outside into a very cold, very dark Hokkaido sky.

What can you see at the Ginga no Mori Observatory?

The observatory says its 115 cm telescope shows the Moon, planets, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies, and on clear days even bright stars in daytime.

Opening hours and fees

April to September	14:00 to 22:30
October to March	13:00 to 21:30
Closed	Mondays and Tuesdays; 3rd Monday to 4th Friday of May (maintenance); Dec 28 to Jan 3
Entry	Adults 500 yen, children 300 yen, cash only

Special openings and swapped closing days happen around events; the observatory calendar has the details.

How to prepare for stargazing at Rikubetsu in winter

The town calls itself the coldest town in Japan. Treat a winter night as a winter mountain trip: insulated boots, a down jacket, a hat that covers your ears, and hand warmers. Phone batteries drain fast in that cold, so keep the phone and a spare battery inside your jacket. Use winter tyres and leave plenty of time on snowy roads. The stargazing trip checklist has the full list.

Sky Map (my app) works without internet for the core sky map, so you can identify constellations out of signal range.

Other places in Japan: Nobeyama, Bisei.

Sources: Ginga no Mori Observatory pages for facilities, 115 cm telescope and visitor information (rikubetsu.jp/tenmon/), Rikubetsu town tourism page (rikubetsu.jp), checked 2026-10-27.