Chichibu Observatory

Chichibu Observatory sits at 800 metres elevation in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, within the grounds of the sprawling Chichibu Muse Park.

About Chichibu Observatory

This is the private observatory of amateur astronomer Naoto Sato, and it carries the IAU/Minor Planet Center observatory code 369. It is recognised as an asteroid-discovering observatory, meaning it appears on the Minor Planet Center's records as a source of credited asteroid discoveries.

Location & getting there

The observatory is part of the 375-hectare Chichibu Muse Park complex, set at 800 metres above sea level in the mountains of Saitama Prefecture, in Star Register's Asia region. The elevation and park surroundings give the site clearer, darker skies than much of the lower-lying Kanto region.

Visiting Chichibu Observatory

Because it sits within the larger Chichibu Muse Park, the area itself is tourist accessible, though as a private observatory its telescope facilities may not be open on a walk-in basis. Check current opening details for the park and observatory before visiting.

See your named star from here

Chichibu Observatory's own history of asteroid discovery shows what a well-placed telescope pointed at precise coordinates can find. A star named through Star Register comes with its own coordinates, ready to be located from a dark site like this one. Name a star or explore the star catalogue.