Starry skies and outdoor adventures at Japan’s highest public observatory

The Jododaira Astronomical Observatory (1,600 m) is the highest public observatory in Japan. Here you can enjoy unobstructed views of starry skies, either with the naked eye or through one of the observatory’s powerful telescopes. There is minimum light pollution at this location, and the high altitude means that you are often above the cloud cover. Summer is the best season to view shooting stars and meteor showers.

The observatory offers guided snowshoe treks and alpine skiing tours during the spring as snow tends to linger at this high altitude. In early summer, alpine plants brighten up the mountain slopes, and visitors can join a guided trek or sign up for a nature photography class in fall.