2026 A Full Day Under the Stars at the Fukui Prefectural Nature Conservation Center Observation Hall

This is a day to join a free stargazing session at the Fukui Prefectural Nature Conservation Center Observation Hall (福井県自然保護センター 観察棟) in Minami-Rokuroshi, Ono City, Fukui Prefecture. It is located within the Minami-Rokuroshi area, certified as a Dark Sky Reserve(R), and is equipped with a large 80cm-aperture telescope. The weekend stargazing session is held from 19:00-21:00 during October-March (19:30-21:30 from April-September; suspended in January and February), and admission is free. No reservation is needed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, but on weekdays a reservation is required up to one week in advance. During the day, it's recommended to stop by Echizen-Ono Castle (越前大野城), known as the Castle in the Sky (open hours 9:00-16:00 October-November, adult admission 200 yen, closed December-March), and roadside station Echizen Ono Arashima no Sato (道の駅 越前おおの 荒島の郷) (9:00-18:00, closed December 31 and January 1).