Kuma Kōgen Astronomical Observatory

Nights filled with stars that sparkle in the clear night sky of expansive nature

This astronomical observatory located in Kuma Kōgen Furusato Ryokō-mura village has the largest telescope in Ehime prefecture with a 60-centimeters diameter aperture. The observatory is a wooden structure called Seiten-jō, designed to look like a Japanese castle. The planetarium located inside the castle with a 6-meter diameter dome showcases seasonal constellations and mythological stories about the stars. Thanks to the observatory’s location within a rich natural environment of Kumakōgen-chō, the night skies are extremely dark and allow for a viewing of great many stars. The observatory hosts stargazing groups held for the general public, as well as Sora Gaaru no Kansoku-kai (“stargazing group for sky girls”) for female participants.

Basic information

Location: 488 Shimohatanokawa otsu, Kumakogen-cho, Kamiukena-gun, Ehime
Access: A 45-minute drive from Matsuyama IC
Telephone number: 0892-41-0110
Hours: 1-5pm; open from 10am on weekends and holidays; astronomical observatory is open 7-10pm (changes depending on the season)
Closed: Mondays (if a holiday, the following day), year-end and New Year holidays (Dec 29-Jan 3) [Observatory] Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays
Official website: http://www.kumakogen.jp/site/astro/