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Miyako Island Starry Sky
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1. Starry sky of Miyako Island
The charm of Miyako Island is, after all, the clear, blue Miyako blue sea.
Miyako Island has not only the Miyako blue sea, but also an exceptionally beautiful starry sky.
If you are a city dweller, it may seem normal that you have never seen the "Milky Way.
On Miyako Island, you can see the "Milky Way" with the naked eye if the weather permits.
Also, many people have never seen the Southern Cross.
But here on Miyako Island, we can see both the "Milky Way" and the "Southern Cross.
Miyakojima Island is located at 24 degrees north latitude and is a rare place in Japan where the Milky Way and Southern Cross can be seen.
Of course, there are times and conditions when it is visible.
To see the starry sky beautifully, the air must be clear and there must be no bright buildings around.
And if it is raining, you cannot see the stars.
If the moon is near full, there will be much fewer stars visible. (The week around the new moon is recommended.)
There are no industrial areas on Miyako Island, and the air is clean because it is surrounded by rich nature,There are many spots to watch the best starry skies.
The starry sky is especially beautiful on cold winter nights.
You can see the beautiful starry sky, which is so beautiful that it is hard to believe that you are in Japan.
Seeing the starry sky like you have never seen before on Miyako Island will surely be a memory you will cherish forever!
Here, I would like to introduce the starry sky of Miyako Island in detail.
We hope this will be helpful to those who are considering a trip in the future.
2. where to look?
There are many recommended spots for star gazing on Miyako Island.
Here are five locations!
Please refer to them as they are all attractive spots.
1. yonaha maehama beach
Yonaha Maehama Beach has been voted the most beautiful beach in the East.
The sandy beach is pure white, and is as smooth as snow, so much so that it is called powder sand.
The 7-km long beach is packed with tourists during the day, but becomes a haven at night.
This is a popular spot for couples who can clearly see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
2. east Heiannazaki
Located at the easternmost tip of Miyako Island, the coral reefs of Higashi Heiannazaki, one of the 100 best parks in Japan, have been designated a natural monument.
At the tip of the cape is the 24-meter-high, pure white Heirayana-zaki Lighthouse.
After climbing about 100 steps, you will be able to see a 360-degree panoramic view of Miyako Island.
Both the starry sky seen from the top of the lighthouse and the starry sky seen from the bottom of the lighthouse are just beautiful and definitely Instagram-worthy!
There are no other buildings around and the air is very clean.
The sea and starry sky as far as the eye can see, please stop and take a look.
It is also an ideal photo spot for starry skies.
3, Makiyama Observatory
From the Makiyama Observatory, you can see the islands of the Miyako Archipelago: Kurima Island, Ogami Island, and Ikema Island.
You can enjoy both the starry sky and the night view of the island!
This spot is so popular that it is often used for stargazing tours for tourists.
Fireflies can often be seen during the summer season.
It is famous as a photo spot where you can take beautiful pictures of the starry sky.
3. nagama beach
Nagama Beach on Kushima Island is a deep, private place.
There is also an area lined with cafes, where you can relax in a café until it is time to see the stars!
And the beach on Kurema Island is excellent for stargazing because it faces the opposite side of the island from the city.
It features a long sandy beach stretching as long as 800 meters, and there are few streetlights, so you can see the stars beautifully.
This is a great spot to enjoy the Milky Way!
Higa Road Park
Higa Road Park is located on a hill, and looking down from the observation platform, one can see the East China Sea from the top of the cliff.
Would you like to have the moment when the stars twinkle in the dark sky all to yourself?
There are no stores or restaurants nearby, but a large parking lot allows visitors to enjoy the area without worrying about their surroundings.
It is just the right spot for slow meteor observation.
3. How do you see it?
If you want to see the Milky Way, the best time to visit is from June to November.
You can see the "Southern Cross" on Miyako Island, but there are conditions.
April is from 22:00 to 24:00, May is from 21:00 to 22:00, and June is from 20:00 to 21:00.
For people in the southern hemisphere, the Southern Cross is a very popular star.
Here are other days when meteor showers are visible.
For example, the "Quadrantids" meteor shower in January, the "Perseids" meteor shower in August, and the "Geminids" meteor shower in December can be viewed as falling meteors.
Also, you don't need any tools to view the constellations.
You can do this by choosing a location where light does not directly reach your eyes, such as a street lamp.
Basically, the area around the observation spot is dark, so a flashlight is essential.
If you want to know the various constellations, you will want a star chart, but a "star chart app" on your phone will be useful.
Also, don't forget "bug spray" in summer.
The tenki.jp "Starry Sky Index" available on the Internet can be used as a reference when going to see the starry sky.
This is the website of the Japan Weather Association.
The system gives the stargazing conditions of the day a score out of 100 based on the weather and the moon's age on that day.
Please refer to this page.
4. Shooting the stars
If you want to take pictures of the stars, a camera and tripod are essential.
As for lenses, try to get a wide-angle lens if possible (if not a telephoto lens).
At first, try using an ISO sensitivity of about 1600 and a shutter speed of about 30 seconds.
By trial and error, you can bring back the best one in Miyako Island as a souvenir of your trip.
5. Tour Information
While it is fine for individual travelers to enjoy the starry sky on their own, there are also tours that take visitors to see the stars.
Stargazing on Miyako Island will surely be a memory of a lifetime!
Take home with you as a souvenir the knowledge that your tour conductor has shared with you.
1. starry sky village
This is a tour to experience the best starry sky and take a miraculous picture with the stars.
It is not just a photo shoot, but a chance to capture the great nature of Miyako Island along with the star-filled starlit sky.
Multiple people, as well as one person, are welcome to participate.
They also make photo books for Instagram if you wish!
A stunning collection of photographs of the starry sky and the natural beauty of Miyako Island will be woven together.
On this tour, the tour conductor will give a starry sky commentary.
The star sommelier will explain everything in detail and in an easy-to-understand manner, even for beginners, so you can go home and share the knowledge you gained there with your friends!
Tours are closed around the full moon because the sky becomes brighter due to moonlight.
The event is held between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and lasts approximately 60 minutes.
As for the fee, junior high school students and above pay 3,500 yen,Elementary school students and younger are admitted free of charge.
Also, transportation service is not provided, and if there is a large number of people booked, the location may be changed after registration.
Please enjoy the incredibly beautiful starry sky!
2. star navigation Subaru
This is a natural planetarium tour that tells the ancient anecdotes related to the constellations, astronomical observations, and the constellations spread out in the beautiful starry sky.
You can feel the sound of waves, insects, and wind, and become one with nature and enjoy the starry sky with your whole body.
Stargazing is the main focus here.
Also, if you wish to have a photo, you must confirm in advance.
Guided tours through an astronomical telescope are also available, so visitors can enjoy the craters of the moon and the planets of the solar system.
As you gain knowledge of constellations, stars, and planets, stargazing will surely become even more enjoyable!
The fee is 2,500 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for elementary school students, and 500 yen for infants, and the tour takes about 60 minutes.
The location is the Yonaha Maehama Beach meeting place.
3. tabiwaku
TABIWAKU is a starry sky photo tour based on the concept of "giving shape to memories.
This starry sky photo is very popular on SNS, having won an award in one of Japan's most prestigious photo contests.
Decorative photography with penlight art allows you to take photos like no other.
This tour is very popular among female visitors and couples.
Fees are 4,950 yen for adults, 3,850 yen for children, and free for infants.
The time required will be approximately 30 minutes.
4. stargazing tour at Shigira Resort
This tour is held at a prestigious hotel representing Miyako Island.
On this tour, a professional photographer will take pictures with the starry sky in the background.
Even those who are not staying at the Shigira Resort are welcome to participate.
You can only experience it here, so why not visit?
On moonless days, commemorative photos are taken against a starry sky,On certain days of the month, observation through a telescope is conducted.
The price is 2,750 yen for junior high school students and older, and 1,100 yen for elementary school students from 3 years old and up.
Starting at 8:30 p.m., you can enjoy it for about an hour.
5. professional photographer masa.pic
He is a professional photographer famous on Instagram who is said to be the first to have invented a starry sky photo tour on Miyako Island.
Professional photographers will take the best shot at the best time by understanding the changing arrangement of the stars according to the season and time.
You are sure to find your own wonderful piece of art on Miyako Island!
This article was written by.
