2026 Full-Day Course: Miyagase Yamanami Astronomical Observation Dome (宮ヶ瀬やまなみ天体観測ドーム)

This is a day for your family to enjoy the starry sky at an astronomical observation dome in Miyagase, Kiyokawa Village, surrounded by the mountains of Tanzawa. The Miyagase Yamanami Astronomical Observation Dome (宮ヶ瀬やまなみ天体観測ドーム) is located at the Miyagase Yamanami Center (宮ヶ瀬やまなみセンター), and use is free of charge. The center is open 9:00 AM-4:30 PM, and the dome is generally open for use until 9:00 PM. Since it's a mountain village with no large city lights nearby, on a clear night you can encounter a number of stars hard to believe is so close to the greater Tokyo area. In the afternoon, start by browsing local specialty products and vegetables at Michi-no-Eki Kiyokawa (道の駅清川), Kanagawa Prefecture's only roadside station, and in the evening, stroll through Mizu no Sato Shopping Street (水の郷商店街), which spreads out at the entrance to Lake Miyagase (宮ヶ瀬湖). Once the sun sets, stargazing at the dome is finally the highlight. Be sure to check the official website in advance for how to use the dome and whether it's open that day before heading out. Mountain valleys in autumn get cold fast once the sun goes down, so come well prepared for the cold.