Kure City Kamagari Astronomical Observatory

Kure City Kamagari Astronomical Observatory sits on Kamagari Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, where visitors can stargaze within earshot of the waves.

About Kure City Kamagari Astronomical Observatory

The observatory is part of the Civic Beach (Kenmin-no-hama) recreation facility on Kamagari Island, combining a seaside setting with serious equipment for public astronomy. It draws over 10,000 visitors a year, a notable figure for a facility of its size.

History

Kure City Kamagari Astronomical Observatory was established in 1989 as part of the island's recreation area.

Telescopes & research

Its main instrument is a 42cm Maksutov telescope, described as one of the largest of its kind in Japan, giving visitors an unusually powerful view of the night sky for a public observatory.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located at 7646-3 Oura, Kamagaricho, Kure City, within the Civic Beach recreation area on Kamagari Island, Hiroshima Prefecture. The coastal setting means clear nights come with the sound of the sea alongside the stars.

Visiting Kure City Kamagari Astronomical Observatory

Regular public stargazing sessions run every Saturday from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Admission is 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for children. The observatory is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and over the year-end and New Year holidays, so plan around those dates.

See your named star from here

With a 42cm telescope and a regular Saturday programme, this is a genuinely good spot to try to find a star named through Star Register. Check the naming packages or its coordinates in the star catalogue before a Saturday visit.