A must-see for stargazing lovers! Enjoy the starry sky on Kozushima in Tokyo, one of only three certified dark sky islands in the world
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The night sky of Kozushima has been certified as a " Dark Sky Place ". Did you know that there is a "Tokyo Island" where you can see the Milky Way in just 45 minutes from the city center?
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Table of Contents
- Gaze upon the starry sky on Kozushima, an island of Tokyo
- What is a Dark Sky Place?
- The starry sky of Kozushima has also been chosen as a planetariums' program.
- Going on a trip for star gazing
- There's even more ways to enjoy the night sky!
- Space trip in just 3 steps! FamiliA Planet
Gaze upon the starry sky on Kozushima, an island of Tokyo
Kozushima is one of the Izu Islands, an island of Tokyo. It takes just 45 minutes by plane from Tokyo, and you won't believe it's in the same Tokyo area. The island is rich in nature and has a unique historical culture, and there are plenty of attractive spots to visit. The beautiful night sky of Kozushima is a must-see. This time, we will introduce the starry sky you can enjoy on Kozushima.
Please see the article below for how to get to Kozushima.
What is a Dark Sky Place?
Have you ever seen the Milky Way?
Until around 1912 in Japan, it is said that the Milky Way could be seen even in urban areas, but now with the increase in artificial lights, it is said that only one in three people in the world lives in an area where the Milky Way can be seen.
Kozushima Village, an island of Tokyo, was certified as a Dark Sky Place(Dark Sky Park) in December 2020 in recognition of its island-wide efforts to protect the star-filled night sky.
The "Dark Sky Places Program" launched by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in 2001 is a system for protecting and preserving dark night skies free of light pollution. Certification requires strict outdoor lighting standards and educational awareness activities regarding light pollution. By announcing the certification, we aim to widely raise awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky and the current situation and measures against the light pollution problem. (Reference: Dark Sky Place )
Kozushima is the second such designation in Japan after Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, but it is the first case in Japan where light pollution countermeasures have been implemented throughout the entire area, including densely populated residential and living areas, and at the time of certification, there were only three places in the world that had been given the title of Dark Sky Island. As a model case of a new, sustainable, environmentally friendly regional development, it is expected that this movement will spread to other regions in the future.
The starry sky of Kozushima has also been chosen as a planetariums' program.
Located in the same Tokyo metropolitan area, Kozushima is only a 45-minute flight from Chofu, 180km from the city center, or 3.5 hours by high speed jet ferry from Takeshiba Pier. A 10-hour trip on a Large passenger ship , you'll wake up to a blue ocean. Another feature is the easy access to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the starry sky.
In order to be certified as a Dark Sky Place , Kozushima replaced all streetlights with LEDs, custom-made lights that do not leak light into the sky. Therefore, you can see the stars no matter where you walk on the island, as long as it is a clear day.
In addition, Yotane Square, a stargazing spot within the village, is located on high ground, making it a great spot for stargazing as well as star photography. As the villages are all concentrated in one place, no matter which accommodation you stay at, the square is within walking distance, meaning you can fully enjoy the starry sky.
There are also stars that can only be enjoyed on an island. Canopus, in the winter constellation Carina, is a first magnitude star that appears just above the horizon, and it is said that those who see it will have a longer lifespan.
Because it appears at a very low altitude, it is hidden in places surrounded by mountains and forests, so there are very few places in Japan where it can be observed. It is a special star that can only be observed on an island.
A planetarium show based on the beautiful starry sky of Kozushima was shown at three Konica Minolta Planetariums in Tokyo form 2022 to 2023.
Going on a trip for star gazing
Check the lunar calendar to decide the date
The current calendar is a solar calendar, but when observing the stars it is also important to check the lunar calendar frequently.
Because if you want to see a starry sky, it's important to have minimal moonlight.
This means that you can expect a night sky with the Milky Way and even small stars shining brightly for about a week before and after the new moon.
After checking the age of the moon on the calendar, check the sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset times as well.
If it's not a full moon day, there should be a few hours when neither the sun nor the moon will have any effect. Let's hope it's sunny during that time!
It's also fun to plan your starry sky trip while checking information on meteor shower times, lunar eclipses, and comets.
Recommended items to bring
If you want to take photos of the starry sky, it's useful to have a tripod or other equipment to stabilize your smartphone or camera. Even if you don't have a single-lens reflex camera, you can capture bright stars by using the night mode on your smartphone!
Even in midsummer, the breeze from the ocean feels great on Kozushima. It may get chilly at night, so it is good idea to bring a long-sleeved jacket even in summer, so you can fully enjoy stargazing, or wait in peace for the clouds to clear and the stars to appear.
There's even more ways to enjoy the night sky!
Full moon nights are so romantic
It's a shame there aren't many stars because it's a full moon? Not at all!
A full moon day is very romantic.
The white sand of Maehama beach is beautifully illuminated by the moon, and the night is bright enough that you can walk without needing to shine a light on your feet.
"I did not know the moon is that bright!"
If you look closely, you'll notice a shadow behind him.
For those of us living on an island, when we see the moonlight streaming in through the window we realize, "Oh, the moon is almost full."
It's wonderful to take a leisurely stroll along the beach listening to the sounds of the waves and enjoying the pleasant night breeze!
If you're really lucky, you might even be able to see a magical moonbow.
The "moon rainbow," which appears when various conditions come together, is extremely rare and is said to bring happiness in Hawaii.
There was a day in September 2020 when it could be clearly observed on Kozushima !
A moonbow captured from Maehama Beach. This was the only time I was able to see it clearly enough to see with the naked eye.
Planetary Observation
It's not just the moon and stars that light up the night sky!
The planets are easily observed thanks to Kozushima being a Dark Sky Place .
Autumn is the best time to observe Saturn and Jupiter.
Using a telescope, you can also see Saturn's rings and Jupiter's stripes and satellite.
You'll be so impressed that you'll want to say "WOW!"
Space trip in just 3 steps! FamiliA Planet
At Vacation House FamiliA, we offer a variety of items so that you can enjoy the magnificent night sky of Kozushima at any time.
The second floor terrace, named the "Starry Sky CHILL Terrace," is lined with relaxing chairs where you can gaze at the starry sky while listening to the sounds of waves in the background.
On days when conditions are good, we bring out binoculars and telescopes and enjoy gazing at planets and star clusters, or peering into the craters of the moon, all of which our guests enjoy.
While waiting for the clouds to clear, you can chat over a glass of wine or cocoa at the cafe bar on the first floor.
If you get sleepy or cold, you can quickly return to your room, so you can enjoy yourself safely even if you have small children with you.
Of course, our staff is constantly checking the clouds and moon conditions so we can advise you on the best time to watch!
For more information about Vacation House FamiliA, please see this article.
Written by
FamiliA, LLC operates ``Vacation House Familia'' on Kozushima, and engages in activities that go beyond the realm of lodging in order to convey the charm of the region and preserve its culture. In January 2024, the Kozushima tourism app [Marutto! Kozushima] released! The app provides a completely new sightseeing experience with two functions: ``Kozushima Sugoroku game (Snake and Ladders)'', which allows you to learn more about the island before a travel, and ``Dramatic Audio Guide'', which can only be experienced by those who have visited the site. Of course, this app is available in English. We aim to let customers not only from Japan but also from overseas know the true beauty of Kozushima and create opportunities for them to become friends with the island's people.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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