Stargaze at the Ginga no Mori Observatory in Rikubetsu, Hokkaido

Rikubetsu is famous for being the coldest town in Japan and its gorgeous star-filled night skies. As the mercury drops, the air gets clearer, and the stars get brighter. Because of Rikubetsu’s location and ideal conditions, stargazers have a great chance of spotting the celestial spiral of the Milky Way, even with the naked eye! For those wanting a deeper look at the universe that surrounds us, take a trip to the Ginga no Mori Observatory. The site offers the opportunity to peer out into the vastness of the cosmos through one of the largest telescopes in Japan. A special treat unique to this location is the ability to see the Northern Lights, an impossibility in the rest of the country, a feat made possible by this high-powered telescope.