The Stars and Forest Science Museum is a science museum surrounded by the rich natural environment of Mount Makuraseyama in the Nichihara area of Tsuwano, Shimane Prefecture. Together with the neighboring Nichihara Astronomical Observatory, it serves as an educational facility where visitors can learn about both the universe and the Earth’s natural environment.
Opened in 1994, the museum introduces astronomy as well as topics such as water, air, forests, and other elements of the Earth’s environment. Its exhibits are designed to make science accessible and enjoyable for visitors of all ages, making it a popular destination for families and travelers.
The museum is located on Mount Makuraseyama, an area known for its exceptionally clear night skies. During the day, visitors can explore the science exhibits, while after dark they can enjoy the spectacular stars above the mountain. The combination of scientific learning and beautiful natural surroundings makes the museum a distinctive symbol of Tsuwano, often associated with the idea of a “home of the stars.”
Inside the museum, visitors can explore familiar astronomical phenomena through easy-to-understand exhibits. Topics include why sunsets appear red, the phases of the Moon, and comparisons between the planets of the Solar System.
Videos, three-dimensional models, and hands-on displays help visitors understand scientific concepts through visual and interactive experiences. The exhibits are designed so that both children and adults can enjoy learning without requiring prior knowledge of astronomy.
One of the museum’s highlights is its exhibition area focusing on the Earth’s natural environment. Displays explore the importance of water, air, forests, and other natural resources that are essential to everyday life.
The exhibits encourage visitors to think about Earth as a “blue and green planet” and to appreciate the remarkable natural systems that support life. Rather than presenting science as something distant or difficult, the museum connects environmental science with familiar aspects of daily life.
The museum also features a Foucault pendulum, an impressive demonstration that allows visitors to observe evidence of the Earth’s rotation. Watching the pendulum’s movement provides an intuitive way to experience a scientific principle that can otherwise be difficult to visualize.
Through these hands-on and visual exhibits, the museum offers an enjoyable introduction to science for visitors who may not normally consider themselves interested in astronomy or physics.
Next to the Stars and Forest Science Museum is the Nichihara Astronomical Observatory, which opened in 1985. The observatory is equipped with a 75-centimeter Nasmyth-type computer-controlled reflecting telescope, one of the largest publicly accessible telescopes of its kind in Japan.
The telescope incorporates technology also used in the Subaru Telescope at the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Its Nasmyth focus system is designed so that the eyepiece remains in a stable position even as the telescope tracks changing positions in the sky, making it comfortable to use for beginners as well as experienced observers.
Visitors may have the opportunity to observe celestial objects such as the Moon’s craters, Saturn’s rings, and Jupiter’s cloud bands. Under favorable conditions, observations can also include nebulae, star clusters, and distant galaxies.
Mount Makuraseyama rises to an elevation of approximately 255 meters and overlooks the confluence of the Tsuwano River and the Takatsu River. The area has relatively little artificial light, creating favorable conditions for observing the night sky.
In 2008, a nationwide continuous stargazing survey conducted by the Japan Environmental Association recognized the area as having one of the particularly beautiful night skies on Honshu. On a clear night, countless stars appear above the mountain, creating an extraordinary view that can seem almost as if the stars are falling from the sky.
The experience is especially striking because it combines a tranquil mountain environment with an unobstructed view of the heavens. For travelers interested in astronomy, photography, or simply spending a quiet evening surrounded by nature, the night sky around Mount Makuraseyama is a memorable attraction.
The Nichihara Astronomical Observatory also offers a unique experience known as the “Wishing Star Delivery Service.” Visitors can write a personal wish on a special kit and place it in a mailbox at the observatory.
According to the service, the wishes are later offered at the nearby Taikodani Inari Shrine and ritually burned as part of a traditional offering. There are also playful options such as the “Shooting Star Express Course” and the “Slow Course.”
Writing down a wish beneath the stars adds a memorable and romantic element to a visit. It is an experience that combines the wonder of the night sky with the traditional culture of Tsuwano.
The area surrounding the museum is also home to Makuraseyama Forest Park, where visitors can enjoy walking and outdoor activities amid abundant greenery. The park has walking trails, a waterside recreation area, gazebos, and a suspension bridge, making it a pleasant place to experience the forest at a leisurely pace.
The nearby Makuraseyama Campground is another popular attraction. The campground is known for its views of Mount Aonoyama and the JR Yamaguchi Line, while its elevated setting makes it possible to enjoy both the surrounding landscape during the day and the star-filled sky at night.
Facilities include showers, a management building, and barbecue areas, making the campground suitable for families and groups. Combining a day surrounded by nature with nighttime stargazing offers an especially rewarding outdoor experience.
The Stars and Forest Science Museum is an educational facility where visitors can develop an appreciation for both the vastness of the universe and the importance of protecting the Earth. Its combination of science exhibits, astronomical observation, forests, and spectacular night skies creates an experience that goes beyond a conventional museum visit.
Children can discover the excitement of science through interactive exhibits, while adults can take time to reflect on astronomy, the natural environment, and the relationship between humanity and the planet.
When exploring Tsuwano, consider visiting the museum together with the Nichihara Astronomical Observatory and Makuraseyama Forest Park. From learning about the Earth during the day to looking up at a sky filled with stars at night, the area offers a memorable way to experience both the natural world and the universe.
The Stars and Forest Science Museum is approximately 5 minutes by car from JR Nichihara Station, or about a 35-minute walk. It is approximately 45 minutes by car from the Rokukaichi Interchange on the Chugoku Expressway and about 25 minutes by taxi from Iwami Airport.
Weather conditions can change quickly around the mountain summit. Visitors planning to observe the night sky should check the weather forecast in advance and consider bringing an extra layer of clothing, particularly after sunset.