National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Mitaka Campus

The observatory was originally called the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, located in Azabu, Minato-ku, but was moved to Mitaka Village in 1924, and in 1988 it was renamed the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, a research facility jointly used by national universities.

Mitaka Campus is the center of a worldwide observation and research network that includes four locations in Japan, Hawaii, and Chile.

On the campus, cutting-edge research and the development of observation equipment are underway to capture a new image of the universe.

It covers an area of about 260,000 square meters. Many observation instruments and buildings made from the Taisho era to the early Showa era are hidden among the greenery. They are valuable for learning about the history of astronomy and for their architectural beauty.

Location

2-21-1, Osawa, 三鷹市

admission fee

free

tel

0422-34-3600 (main)

Date and time available for observation

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily except for the year-end and New Year period (December 28 to January 4). Admission is until 4:30 p.m. Details

Traffic Information

• From the south exit of JR Musashi Sakai Station (platform 3), take the Odakyu Bus bound for Komae Station North Exit and get off at Observatory Mae.
• From the north exit of Chofu Station on the Keio Line (platform 14), take the Odakyu Bus bound for Musashi Sakai Station South Exit or Mitaka Station, or the Keio Bus bound for Musashi Koganei Station (platform 13).
• Parking available, details

For more information, click here.