- Top
- Observatory and astronomical observation
Observatory and astronomical observation
OBSERVATORY
Ogawa Village's star-filled observatory and planetarium
- Go stargazing to experience the mysteries of the universe.
If you can see the stars, you can use a telescope to observe the stars.
If the weather is bad, you can experience space in the planetarium.
*The facility may be closed for equipment maintenance.Please contact us in advance if you wish to use this service.
*Guests can use it free of charge.
PHOTOGALLERY
The winter Milky Way and constellations
Ogawa Astronomical Observatory
Ogawa Astronomical Observatory
- The Ogawa Observatory is equipped with a 60cm reflecting telescope housed in a retractable dome that is 7m in diameter and 9.3m in height.
Stargazing events are held on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holiday evenings.(If there are guests staying on weekdays, the service will also be available on weekdays.)
The recommended time for stargazing is from October to early December.
This is because the sky is clearer and the sun sets earlier than in summer.
"Because no artificial light reaches the area around the observatory, you can see the Milky Way sinking into Northern Alps with the naked eye.
"Another attraction is the high chance of seeing Northern Alps' morning glow and sea of clouds dyed red by the morning sun," he says, giving his stamp of approval.
The telescope at Ogawa Observatory.
For those who have difficulty seeing the stars with a large telescope due to poor eyesight,
By displaying images from a camera attached to the telescope on a display in real time,
I try to make it as enjoyable as possible.
A starry sky photographed around the observatory.
The projected starry sky is explained live by observatory staff.
We change the content of the explanations to suit the age and needs of our customers,
You can experience something different every time you visit.
▼information
| Address | 4981 Inaoka, Ogawa Village, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture (Romantopia of stars and greenery) |
|---|---|
| TEL | 026-269-3789 (Hoshi to Midori no Romankan) |
| Opening hours | [Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays] From 20:00 *If there are guests staying at Hoshi to Midori no Romankan, the facility is also available on weekdays. (Start times may change depending on the season) |
| Time required | About 1 hour |
| Access | 34km from Nagano IC (50 minutes) Get off at Nagano Station on JR Hokuriku Shinkansen (50 minutes by bus) Get off at Shinano-Omachi Station on JR Oito Line (20 minutes by circular bus) |
| parking | 60 regular cars / 30 large vehicles |
Ogawa Planetarium
Planetarium
- Planetariums are equipped with optical projectors that use star plates and lenses to project stars.
The retro appearance of the dumbbell-like projector is rare these days, and the facility has a wonderful old-fashioned atmosphere.
The planetarium is open Wednesday to Sunday.
The starry sky of Ogawa Village will be projected using an old-fashioned projector.
If the weather is good, you can use the solar telescope during the day.
It is possible to observe sunspots and prominences (prominences).
▼information
| Address | 4981 Inaoka, Ogawa Village, Kamiminochi District, Nagano Prefecture (Romantopia of stars and greenery) |
|---|---|
| TEL | 026-269-3789 (Hoshi to Midori no Romankan) |
| Opening hours | [Wednesday, Thursday, Friday] From 13:00/ 15:00 [Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays] From 11:00/ From 13:00/ From 15:00 |
| Closed days | Closed during winter (Depends on snow conditions) |
| Application | 026-269-3789 (Hoshi to Midori no Romankan) |
| Fare | [Junior high school students and above] 500 JPY [Elementary school-aged children] 300 JPY [Under elementary school students] Free *Free for guests staying Hoshi to Midori no Romankan |
| Access | 34km from Nagano IC (50 minutes) Get off at Nagano Station on JR Hokuriku Shinkansen (50 minutes by bus) Get off at Shinano-Omachi Station on JR Oito Line (20 minutes by circular bus) |
| parking | 60 regular cars / 30 large vehicles |
▼ Katsuya Terashima
Owner of Hoshi to Midori no Romankan.
Enjoy stargazing at the Ogawa Observatory and the Ogawa Planetarium.
Afterwards, we will stay at the "Hoshi to Midori no Romankan".
Enjoy a blissful moment in a relaxing, homely space.
▼ Hiroshi Furuya
As an employee of Ogawa Village, he is responsible for the management and operation of Ogawa Observatory and Ogawa Planetarium.
He also works as a starry sky guide (Star Sommelier®).