I went with a special authorization for a night visit. Past midnight, there is no one and the sky is full of shooting stars. The place reminded me of old sci-fi movies and that made my night really extraordinary.
In late August, perhaps due to a collaboration with Conan, the Koumi Line was quite busy on weekdays, even with few trains.
I made a day trip from the Tokyo metropolitan area to experience the summer Yatsugatake Plateau and ride the Koumi Line for its 110th anniversary! Even in the scorching heat, the plateau felt a little cooler.
A Conan-wrapped shuttle bus departed from Nobeyama Station, but unfortunately, I ran into a group and couldn't get on. There was a village shuttle bus waiting nearby, and since I'm not particularly a Conan fan, I took that to the observatory (it was chartered).
After getting off, I headed toward the gigantic parabolic antenna, which has an impressive presence even from a distance! 📡. Reading the explanations scattered throughout, I learned about the aspirations of the scientists who continue to explore the vastness of the universe. I was moved by their passion and immediately became drawn into the field of astronomy.
The numerous antennas, large and small, against the backdrop of Mt. Yatsugatake were somehow adorable, and their combination with the sunflowers 🌻 was a very summery and lovely sight.
On the way back, I purchased a shichimi can commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Koumi Line at a souvenir shop in front of Nobeyama Station before heading home.
After visiting this place, I went to the Deep Space Exhibition 🌌 at the Odaiba Science Museum and watched the anime Chi. My astronomy passion lingered for a while, deepening my knowledge in my own way and having a great time.
I'd like to visit again at my own leisure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The observatory is open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and admission is completely free. The self-guided tour course allows visitors to explore the facility at their own pace throughout these hours. There are no reservations required for regular visits, making it easily accessible for spontaneous trips.
Visitors can see the impressive 45-meter Radio Telescope, one of the world's largest radio telescopes, along with the Nobeyama Millimeter Array consisting of six 10-meter diameter telescopes, and the Nobeyama Radioheliograph with eighty-four 80-centimeter antennas. The observatory offers self-guided tours with explanatory panels that help visitors understand the instruments and their role in astronomical research. You can get close-up views of these massive scientific instruments and learn about their discoveries.
The observatory can be reached by car or after a 30-40 minute walk from Nobeyama Station. By public transportation, take the JR Chuo Line to Kobuchizawa Station, then transfer to the JR Koumi Line to reach Nobeyama Station. The facility is located at an elevation of 1,350 meters in the mountains near Minamimaki village in Nagano Prefecture.
Every August, around Saturday the 20th, there is an open gates day with lots of activities. This annual open campus event features additional presentations, demonstrations, and special activities beyond the regular self-guided tour. It's an excellent opportunity for a more comprehensive experience, though the observatory is interesting to visit year-round.
The 45-meter Radio Telescope operates in short-millimeter wavelengths with receivers at multiple frequencies including 1, 2, 3.75, 9.4, 17, 35, and 80 GHz in both left and right polarizations. This facility has contributed to major astronomical discoveries including research on black holes and the formation processes of life-sustaining materials. It's part of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and represents some of the most advanced radio astronomy technology in the world.
