Sendai Astronomical Observatory
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Sendai Astronomical Observatory sits in Nishikigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai, in Japan's Miyagi Prefecture, at an elevation of 163 metres.
About Sendai Astronomical Observatory
The observatory combines a major research-grade telescope with public-facing facilities, including a planetarium and an exhibition room featuring models and videos exploring the universe.
Telescopes & research
Its main instrument is the Hitomi Telescope, with a 1.3-metre aperture, ranking among the largest telescopes in Japan and giving visitors and researchers alike a serious instrument for deep-sky observation.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located at 9-29-32, Nishikigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-3123, Japan, at 163 metres elevation. The nearest station is Ayashi Station on the Senzan Line, about ten minutes away by bus.
Visiting Sendai Astronomical Observatory
The observatory is open weekdays from 9:00am to 4:30pm, and Saturdays from 9:00am to 9:00pm, with the exhibition room open until 5pm. Admission is 600 yen for the exhibition room or planetarium separately, or 1,000 yen for a combined ticket. The observatory can be reached by phone at 022-391-1300, and further details are on its official website, sendai-astro.jp.
See your named star from here
With a 1.3-metre telescope among the largest in Japan, Sendai Astronomical Observatory is well equipped to find the precise coordinates of a named star in the night sky. Browse the star catalogue to see the star named in someone's honour.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check the official website and Google Maps for current times before you travel.