Mitaka Campus, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Historic Astronomy Center Amid Musashino’s Nature and Innovation

About

In a corner of Osawa, Mitaka City, slightly removed from the bustle of Tokyo and embraced by the lush forests of Musashino, the Mitaka Campus of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan stands quietly. This is the center of Japanese astronomy, where research to unravel the mysteries of the universe is conducted daily.

Passing through the main gate of the campus, a vast expanse unfolds, and the nature of each season welcomes visitors. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom in profusion; in summer, deep greenery flourishes. Autumn brings vibrant foliage, and in winter, a dignified air drifts through the silence. Within this natural setting, historical buildings coexist with state-of-the-art research facilities.

The first thing that catches the eye is the “First Equatorial Room,” built in 1921. This building is the oldest observatory facility on the Mitaka Campus, and inside its dome is a 20 cm refracting telescope. It was once used for observing sunspots and has contributed to the advancement of astronomy for many years.

Proceeding further, the “Large Equatorial Room,” built in 1926 and now known as the “Astronomical Observatory History Museum,” comes into view. The huge dome, 15 meters in diameter, is said to have been constructed by shipbuilding engineers, and inside sits a 65 cm refracting telescope made by Carl Zeiss of Germany. This telescope was used for measuring the positions of stars until 1998 and gained fame as the largest refracting telescope in Japan.

Within the grounds, there are also other buildings designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan, such as the “Solar Tower Telescope (Einstein Tower)” and the “Meridian Instrument Museum (Repsold Meridian Room).” These buildings, constructed from the Taisho to early Showa periods, are valuable heritage sites that tell the history of Japanese astronomy.

Additionally, the campus features an exhibit called the “Solar System Walk,” where the distance from the Sun to Saturn is scaled down to one fourteen-billionth, allowing visitors to experience the vastness of the solar system. Walking this path, one can contemplate the immensity and mystery of the universe.

The Mitaka Campus of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is also open to the public, and visitors are free to tour the grounds. On Saturdays and Sundays, solar observation sessions are held in the “First Equatorial Room,” sharing the wonders of the universe with visitors. There are also many events that bring astronomy closer, such as twice-monthly regular stargazing sessions and screenings of space imagery at the 4D2U Dome Theater.

This place is not merely a research facility, but a gateway to the universe, stimulating the imagination and curiosity of all who visit. Why not let your thoughts drift to the brilliance of the stars at this site, where the nature of Musashino, historical buildings, and cutting-edge science are fused together?