2026 Yoshihara Hoshimi Plaza Starry Sky Full-Day Course

This day centers on the stargazing session hosted by the Aridagawa Town Astronomy Club, held at Yoshihara Hoshimi Plaza (吉原ほしみ広場) in Aridagawa Town, Arida District, Wakayama Prefecture (1138-1 Yoshihara, Aridagawa Town, next to Kanaya Tennis Park to the south). It is held on the first Saturday of every month, participation is free with no application needed (cancelled in case of rain or cloudy skies). Start times are 18:30 for January, February, November, and December; 19:00 for March, April, May, September, and October; and 19:30 for June, July, and August, each session lasting about 1 hour 30 minutes. Using a 50cm reflecting telescope formerly housed at the old Oishi Kogen Observatory, participants observe seasonal stars, planets, and the moon (according to Aridagawa Town's official website).