Rikubetsu Space and Earth Science Museum / Forest Observatory of the Galaxy

Located in the forest of Rikubetsu, this public observatory is surrounded by rich nature. At night, using a large telescope, you can see the moon and the planets, as well as distant nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. If the weather is clear, you can observe the stars also during the day. The staff will give you interesting explanations about the starry sky, and the artificial aurora generator, computers for learning about space and auroras, and photographs of celestial objects will keep you entertained. In addition to astronomical observations, you can also track and observe the International Space Station. On weekends and holidays, there are also planetarium screenings (15:00/17:00/19:00). *The planetarium screenings will be suspended for the time being. Please check the website for the reopening date.