# Tohoku University Zao Observatory, Japan: what it is and when to go > Tohoku University Zao Observatory is an observatory (東北大学 惑星圏蔵王観測所) in Japan (Yamagata). Interests: Stargazing. The best time to visit is February. In June there are 14 h 38 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 22. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip. - Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/tohoku-university-zao-observatory/ - Reviewed on: 2026-10-02 - Language: en ## In a nutshell - **What it is:** Observatory · Stargazing - **Local name:** 東北大学 惑星圏蔵王観測所 - **Where:** Japan - **Best time:** February. - **Nearest airport:** NRT Narita, 260 km as the crow flies - **Website:** [pparc.gp.tohoku.ac.jp](https://pparc.gp.tohoku.ac.jp/) - **Run by:** 東北大学 - **Coordinates:** 38.1044, 140.52937 ## What it is and where Tohoku University Zao Observatory is an observatory (東北大学 惑星圏蔵王観測所) in Japan (Yamagata). It is in [Yamagata](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/yamagata/), where this site lists 41 more places to see, 26 km from the centre. Its coordinates are 38.1044, 140.52937; the nearest main airport is Narita International Airport (NRT, Narita), 260 km as the crow flies. How to get around Japan (train, car, bus) is covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#moverse). - [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=38.104401%2C140.529369) - [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=38.104401%2C140.529369) - **Run by:** 東北大学 It is one of the [Stargazing](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/estrellas/) places in Japan. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap. ## When to go The best time to visit Tohoku University Zao Observatory is **February**. | Mes | Época | Hours of daylight | | --- | --- | --- | | January | Possible | 9 h 38 | | February | Best time | 10 h 35 | | March | Possible | 11 h 42 | | April | Better not | 13 h | | May | Better not | 14 h 04 | | June | Better not | 14 h 38 | | July | Better not | 14 h 24 | | August | Better not | 13 h 29 | | September | Better not | 12 h 14 | | October | Better not | 10 h 59 | | November | Possible | 9 h 54 | | December | Possible | 9 h 22 | In June there are 14 h 38 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 22. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather. When to go to Japan in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#cuando-ir). ## Before you go to Japan To enter Japan there are 10 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “A valid passport covering your whole stay”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the Japan checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#antes-de-salir). Currency: Japanese yen (JPY); plugs: Type A and B · 100 V · 50/60 Hz (you need an adapter); emergencies: 110 police · 119 ambulance and fire. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it. ## What is nearby - [Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/miyagi-zao-eboshi-resort/): Ski resort · 2.6 km - [Miyagi Zao Shiroishi Ski Resort](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/miyagi-zao-shiroishi-ski-resort/): Ski resort · 4.4 km - [Aone Western-style House](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/aone-yokan/): Museum · 4.7 km - [Byōbu Dake](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/mt-byobu/): Mountain in Japan · 4.8 km - [Miyagi Zao Sumikawasu Snow Park](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/miyagi-zao-sumikawasu-snow-park/): Ski resort · 4.8 km Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the Japan guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/). ## More in Japan: Stargazing - [Gekko Observatory](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/gekkou-astronomical-observatory/): Observatory - [Bisei Spaceguard Center](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/bisei-space-guard-center/): Japanese astronomical observatory - [TAMA 300](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/tama-300/): gravitational wave detector - [Kwasan Observatory](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/kyoto-university-kwasan-observatory/): astronomical observatory in Japan - [Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/ishigakijima-astronomical-observatory/): Observatory - [Okayama Astrophysical Observatory](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/subaru-telescope-okayama-branch-naoj-nins/): Observatory Every Japan place under Stargazing, each with its season, is on [its page](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/estrellas/). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Tohoku University Zao Observatory? It is an observatory (東北大学 惑星圏蔵王観測所 in the local language) in Japan. ### When is the best time to visit Tohoku University Zao Observatory? February. In June there are 14 h 38 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 22. ### How do you get to Tohoku University Zao Observatory? The nearest main airport is Narita International Airport (NRT), 260 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=38.104401%2C140.529369) opens the route on the map, and how to get around Japan is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/#moverse). ### How do I add it to my trip? With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Japan map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby. ### What else is around here? Nearby you have [Miyagi Zao Eboshi Resort](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/miyagi-zao-eboshi-resort/), [Miyagi Zao Shiroishi Ski Resort](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/miyagi-zao-shiroishi-ski-resort/), [Aone Western-style House](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/aone-yokan/). The rest is in [the Japan guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/japon/). Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/1500783255), licensed under the ODbL, and from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/), CC0. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).