2026 Ishigaki Island Astronomical Observatory Starry Sky Full-Day Course

The Ishigaki Island Astronomical Observatory (石垣島天文台) is jointly operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and others, and houses the 105cm-aperture optical-infrared 'Murikabushi Telescope' (むりかぶし望遠鏡), one of the largest in Kyushu and Okinawa (currently, due to a telescope malfunction, stargazing sessions use the 40cm telescope on the rooftop). Stargazing sessions are held only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays (20:00-20:45 from August to May, 20:15-21:00 from June to July), and require advance reservation (call 0980-88-0013, reception hours 10:00-17:00, open days only; reservations open around the start of the month, one month before the event date). Admission is 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary through high school students, free for preschoolers, and free for holders of a disability certificate. Since walking or cycling to the observatory at night is not possible, please use car access via the second parking lot (about a 5-minute uphill walk to the building).