Explorer The Wonderland. Eastern Hokkaido

Rikubetsu Space-Earth Science Museum (Forest Observatory of Galaxy)

Rikubetsu Town is known as Japan's coldest town, and is also an excellent place for stargazing. In 1987, Rikubetsu was selected a “town of starry skies” by the Environment Agency (now the Ministry of the Environment). This observatory is located amongst abundant forests. Its reflecting telescope "Rikuri" is among the largest of any public observatory in Japan. With Rikuri, visitors can catch breathtaking glimpses of celestial bodies such as the moon, planets, and galaxy. The museum also holds presentations such as planetarium films. Rikubetsu is truly a “town of starry skies” - on clear nights, you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.