Nakanoshima Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Nakanoshima Observatory is a public astronomical facility on Nakanoshima Island, part of the remote Tokara Islands chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
About Nakanoshima Observatory
The observatory sits on Nakanoshima, a small island in the Tokara Islands roughly 160 kilometres southwest of the Satsuma Peninsula. Its main instrument is a 60-centimetre Cassegrain-type reflecting telescope, described as the largest of its kind in Kyushu.
Location & getting there
Nakanoshima has no airport, so the island is reached by ferry from Kagoshima on the mainland, a crossing of around seven hours. The island also has hot springs, a lighthouse, and a small museum of local history and folklore.
Visiting Nakanoshima Observatory
Given the island's remote location and limited ferry schedule, anyone planning a visit should check current sailing times and observatory opening details with Toshima Village or Kagoshima ferry operators well before travelling.
See your named star from here
Few places offer skies as dark as a remote island like Nakanoshima, making it a memorable spot to look for the star you've named through star-register using the coordinates on your certificate. Explore our star-naming packages or browse the star catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.
