Akashina observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Akashina Observatory, known as the Mt. Nagamine Observatory, is located in Akashina (now part of Azumino City), Nagano Prefecture in central Japan. The facility is situated on a 933-metre-high mountain and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Northern Japan Alps.
Location & Getting There
The Mt. Nagamine Observatory sits in the Akashina area of Azumino City, in the foothills of Japan's Northern Japan Alps. Akashina was formerly an independent town before merging into Azumino in 2005. The elevated location provides scenic vistas across rural Nagano Prefecture and the distant alpine peaks.
Visiting Akashina Observatory
The observatory welcomes visitors seeking panoramic views of the Japanese Alps and the Azumino valley countryside. Built using local timber, the facility offers a pleasant stop for those exploring the region. For details on opening hours, admission fees, and current facilities, contact local tourism information in Azumino or check regional travel guides for up-to-date visiting information.
See Your Named Star From Here
Enjoy the clear night skies of this mountain location by naming a star through our star packages. Use our star catalogue to identify your named star in the night sky above the Japanese Alps - then arrange to view it through telescopes at the observatory if available.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
