Sunrise & Sunset Times in Osaka

The Kinki Regional Development Bureau page states that the parking lot, toilets and public telephone can be used 24 hours. The shops keep their own hours and are run by Kurotaki Village. The pin is the station's position in the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan data, about 45 m from the point on the bureau page's map.

Sky: rural (satellite night-light estimate)

The VIIRS nighttime-light estimate puts this area darker than central Osaka but not as dark as Yoshinoji Otou. Lighting from the village and the highway has not been confirmed on site.

Facilities: parking, toilets

Open horizon: overhead. Which directions are open from the car park has not been confirmed, so only overhead is listed.

bright constellations, meteor showers

• Michi-no-Eki (roadside station): parking and toilets are open 24 hours, for a short rest and a look up only — no car camping or overnight stays. Keep quiet and do not idle your engine. Lighting at the station and on the highway is unconfirmed and may be brighter than you expect.

National Route 309 is a mountain road, so avoid it in rain or snow. The village's homes and shops are close by, and passing vehicles can add light and noise. Bear sightings are reported in Nara Prefecture, so check the notices before you go.

• 道の駅「吉野路黒滝」（近畿地方整備局） · 国土交通省 近畿地方整備局
• 道の駅「吉野路黒滝」（黒滝村） · 黒滝村
• 道の駅 吉野路黒滝（近畿「道の駅」連絡会） · 近畿「道の駅」連絡会
• 国土地理院 地名検索（道の駅「吉野路 黒滝」） · 国土地理院
• VIIRS Nighttime Light (Annual VNL) · Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute

Reviewed 2026-10-12 · reviewed against official sources

The Kinki Regional Development Bureau page states that the parking lot and toilets can be used 24 hours. Use the station's public car park. The neighbouring Hoshi no Kuni lodging has its own private parking, which you must not use. The shops keep their own hours; Gojo City announced that the tourist-goods shop reopened on 1 May 2026.

Sky: darker (satellite night-light estimate)

The VIIRS nighttime-light estimate puts this area much darker than central Osaka. Lighting at the station and along the highway has not been confirmed on site.

Facilities: parking, toilets

Open horizon: overhead. Which directions are open from the car park has not been confirmed, so only overhead is listed.

bright constellations, meteor showers

• Michi-no-Eki (roadside station): parking and toilets are open 24 hours, for a short rest and a look up only — no car camping or overnight stays. Keep quiet and do not idle your engine. Lighting at the station and on the highway is unconfirmed and may be brighter than you expect.

National Route 168 over Tenjiki Pass has many curves and ices over in winter. Do not use the private parking of the neighbouring Hoshi no Kuni lodging. Bear sightings are reported in Nara Prefecture, so check the notices before you go.

• 道の駅「吉野路大塔」（近畿地方整備局） · 国土交通省 近畿地方整備局
• 五條市大塔総合案内センター（道の駅「吉野路大塔」）について · 五條市
• 国土地理院 地名検索（道の駅「吉野路 大塔」） · 国土地理院
• VIIRS Nighttime Light (Annual VNL) · Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute

Reviewed 2026-10-12 · reviewed against official sources

Entry is by advance reservation only, made on the official website (accepted from 3 days before the date). Without a reservation you cannot enter the grounds, and that includes the car park. Stargazing tours start at 19:30 every night, with an extra 20:30 tour on Fridays and Saturdays; in June and July every time is 30 minutes later. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (open on public holidays). The fee is 1,500 yen for adults (1,000 yen from December to February); follow the official information.

Sky: rural (satellite night-light estimate)

The VIIRS nighttime-light estimate puts this area darker than central Osaka. Lighting inside the grounds has not been confirmed on site.

Facilities: parking

Open horizon: overhead. The observatory stands on a mountain top and the tours follow the observatory's own plan. Which directions are open has not been confirmed, so only overhead is listed.

Moon, planets, telescope observing, bright constellations

• Remote: a long one-way drive from the city — plan an overnight stay rather than a same-night return.

Take care driving the mountain road at night; it may ice over in winter. The observatory is on the summit and gets cold at night, and the official site asks visitors to dress warmly and bring cash. It closes temporarily when a warning is issued for Kimino Town. Without a reservation, or after closing, even the car park is off limits. Bear sightings are reported in Wakayama Prefecture, so check the notices before you go.

• みさと天文台（和歌山県公式観光サイト） · 和歌山県観光連盟
• みさと天文台 公式サイト · みさと天文台
• VIIRS Nighttime Light (Annual VNL) · Earth Observation Group, Payne Institute

Reviewed 2026-10-12 · reviewed against official sources