[Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture] 1,600 meters above sea level. Jododaira Astronomical Observatory, closest to the stars in Japan

``Jododaira Observatory'' is a public observatory located in ``Jododaira,'' located at an altitude of approximately 1,600m, halfway between the Plateau Highway and the Bandai Azuma Skyline in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture. It is the highest observatory in Japan that is open to the public.

Joudodaira Observatory is open from early April to early November (when the Bandai Azuma Skyline is passable), and is open every Wednesday and Saturday at night from mid-May to the end of October (unless there is bad weather). Admission is free.

Impressed by the number of stars that you can't usually see in the city

During the day, Jodo-daira has many attractions such as Azuma Kofuji, Jodo-daira Wetland, Issai Kyozan, Goshikinuma (commonly known as Witch's Eye), and Kamanuma. Don't miss the countless stars that fill the sky at night. The sight of the Milky Way drifting through the sky is especially impressive.

The large telescope installed at the Jododaira Observatory allows you to see things that are invisible to the naked eye. The main telescope of Joudodaira Observatory is a large telescope that combines a 40cm diameter reflecting telescope and a 15cm diameter refracting telescope, allowing you to observe faint stars up to magnitude 14.8. There are also several small telescopes and binoculars installed, including a 25cm aperture reflecting telescope and a 15cm aperture binocular telescope, allowing you to clearly see the moon's craters, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's stripes and moons. The museum director and staff will adjust the telescope to the position of the star you want to see depending on the season, so you won't miss anything.

Shooting stars, which are almost impossible to see in bright urban skies, can be seen with a high probability of being seen by the staff who will tell you where they often appear. Let's prepare lots of wishes.

Learn about space in the exhibition room on the 1st floor

The first floor of the Jododaira Astronomical Observatory is an exhibition room. In addition to three-dimensional models of the planets of the solar system and a celestial globe, there are also photographs of stars, constellations, nebulas, etc. taken at the observatory, as well as meteorites and other objects on display. Furthermore, you can view images of solar activity, such as sunspots and flame-like prominences, taken with a solar telescope on a TV monitor.

Jododaira Observatory <Information>

• Facility name: Fukushima City Jododaira Observatory
• Address: Washikurayama Jodoheirachi, Tsuchiyu Onsen Town, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Altitude: 1,575m
• Phone number: 0242-64-2108 (during opening period)
• *Inquiries while the museum is closed: 024-525-3722 (Fukushima City Tourism Exchange Promotion Office)
• Opening period: Early April to early November (Bandai Azuma Skyline passable period)
• Opening hours: 10:00-17:00
• Night opening: Every Wednesday and Saturday during the opening period (cancelled on rainy or cloudy days)
• Night opening hours:
• June-August/20:00-22:00
• May/September/October/19:00-21:00
• *Excluding the period when Bandai Azuma Skyline is closed to traffic at night.
• Admission fee: Free
• Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, the following weekdays)
• URL: http://www14.plala.or.jp/jao/

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``Jododaira'' spreads out at an altitude of 1,600m where you can enjoy the great outdoors.

``Jododaira'' is a plateau area that stretches over an area at an altitude of approximately 1,600 meters in the Azuma Mountain Range in western Fukushima Prefecture, and shows different expressions depending on the season. Approximately 70 minutes from Fukushima City, the capital of Fukushima Prefecture, by Bandai Azuma Skyline, the center has the Jodo-daira Visitor Center, Jodo-daira Rest House, Jodo-daira Observatory, and a large parking lot, making it a great base for walking around the area and visiting viewpoints. It becomes.

The surrounding area is part of Bandai-Asahi National Park, and is home to the beautiful Azuma Kofuji, the rugged mountain surface of Mt. Ichikkyo, the Joudodaira Wetland where alpine plants bloom with pretty flowers, and the beautiful water known as the witch's eyes. There is a wide variety of scenery, including Goshikinuma, a crater lake that celebrates the ancient world. A walking path has been established from the Jododaira Visitor Center, and it is a heavenly paradise where you can easily enjoy highland exploration and trekking during the green season. However, in the winter, everything is closed due to snow.

``Azuma Kofuji'' with a large crater in the center

"Azuma Kofuji" is a Mt. Fuji-shaped mountain with an altitude of 1,707m, and there is a large crater at the top. It stands right next to the Jodo-daira parking lot and is a symbol of Jodo-daira. The difference in elevation from Jododaira to the summit is approximately 100m, and it takes about 10 minutes to climb the stairs from the side of the parking lot to reach the summit. The crater is approximately 500m in diameter and 70m deep, and there is a walking path that allows you to go around it in about an hour.

Active volcanoes “Isshu Kyozan” and “Witch’s Eye”

``Issatsukyozan'' is an active volcano with an altitude of 1,949m that rises to the northwest of the Jododaira parking lot. The desolate mountain surface gives an eerie feeling. Eruptive activity at Mt. Ikkei began about 300,000 years ago, and the explosion that formed Azuma-Kofuji and the surrounding swamps occurred between 4,900 and 7,000 years ago.

The walking course to Mt. Isshukyo takes about 40 minutes from the Jododaira Visitor Center to Sugadaira at the foot of the mountain, and from Sugadaira to the summit, it is a trekking course with an elevation difference of about 370m. There are many dangerous places to climb to the top of the mountain, and there are areas where sulfur dioxide gas is emitted, so it is necessary to wear proper mountaineering clothing and trekking shoes. Please refrain from wearing light clothing or taking unreasonable walks during bad weather.

The panoramic view from the mountaintop and the glittering scenery of Goshikinuma, known as the witch's eyes, will make you forget your fatigue.

Jododaira Wetland, a treasure trove of alpine plants

"Jododaira Wetland" is a wetland that spreads out in front of the Jododaira Visitor Center. There are wooden paths within the wetland, making it easy to take a walk. A variety of alpine plants such as Iwakagami in May to Ezo Gentian in September, Azalea azalea, Rhododendron rhododendron, and Prunus japonicus bloom one after another and delight the eye. One lap is about 1km and takes about 20 minutes to walk.

``Kamanuma'' nature walking course that takes less than 1 hour round trip

``Kamanuma'' is a small lake located at the western foot of Mt. Horai (1,801m above sea level) that rises west of Jododaira.It is a crater lake with water collected in the hollow around the crater. It gets its name because its shape resembles a sickle. This nature walk course has an elevation difference of about 190m from Jododaira, and is about 5.1km round trip from the visitor center, taking less than 2 hours. The surrounding area is a wetland, and the refreshing scenery spreads out.

Joudodaira campsite equipped with an administration building and toilets

``Jododaira Campsite'' is located in Usagidaira, about a 10-minute walk from the Jododaira Visitor Center. There is an administration building, restrooms, and parking lot (Usadaira parking lot), but it is not an auto campsite, so you cannot drive there. Also, camping equipment such as tents, food, and fuel are not available for rent, so be sure to prepare them in advance. Fireworks and campfires are prohibited, and it is good manners to take trash home with you. Nighttime temperatures are more than 10 degrees lower than in the flatlands, so you need to take precautions against the cold.

Jododaira Campsite <Information>

• Name: Jododaira Campsite (Jododaira Campsite)
• Address: Washikurayama, Tsuchiyu Onsen Town, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, 960-2157
• Phone number: 024-591-3600

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Jododaira Visitor Center <Information>

• Name: Jododaira Visitor Center/Jododaira Rest House
• Address: 1 Washikurayama, Tsuchiyu Onsen-cho, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima 960-2157
• Phone number: 024-264-2105
• Official URL: https://www.npfj.or.jp/joudo/vc/

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