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Bisei Astronomical Observatory (BAO) is opened to anyone
who is interested in astronomy or even casual star gazing. Reservations
are not necessary except for group activities or special programs
or exhibitions. |
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| Visiting Hours: |
9:30 - 16:00 daily except Thursday 18:00
- 22:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Night-use visitors are requested to check in by
21:00. BAO will be closed every Thursday, the
day after national holidays, and during the New
Year's holidays. It may be closed at times during
the rainy season or due to severe weather conditions.
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| The following fees are for a one-day visitorfs
pass including Chusei Yumegahara and BAO (both
day and night): |
General admission: 800 yen/person Children:
500 yen/person |
| Entrance Fee for visiting BAO at night:
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300 yen/person regardless of age |
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| Activities
at BAO in the daytime: |
Visitors
can view several displays such as
101 cm telescope (miniature model), armillary sphere of
medieval China (replica), solar telescope, personal computer
based displays of astronomical images. |
| Activities
at BAO at night: |
Visitors
can enjoy astronomical observations using a 101 cm telescope.
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| Times when stars become observable: |
| March
and April: |
from 19:00 to 20:00 |
| May
to August: |
from 19:30 to 20:00 |
| September
and October: |
from 19:00 to 20:00 |
| November to February: |
from 18:00 to 19:00 |
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| The following telescopes are available upon
request: |
| *most small telescopes and binoculars:
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free of charge during regular visiting
hours |
| *35 cm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope:
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fee required, available during visiting
hours (may be used until 4:00
the next morning if the 101 cm
reflector is occupied) |
| *101 cm reflector: |
to be operated only by a person
licensed to use this telescope
(groups must be guided by a licensed
leader), fee required, available
from 22:00 to 4:00 a.m. on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday night |
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Restaurants |
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*There are not restaurants or shops at BAO.
*There is a restaurant near BAO, with a
last order time of 18:00.
*There are outdoor markets and supermarkets in Bisei-town but
no 24-hour convenience stores |
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Accommodations |
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*There are no accommodation facilities in BAO.
*Two small inns, “Hoshi-zora Pension Comet” and “Hoshi-zora
Nouen Cottage”, offering accommodations for families or
small
groups.
*“Hoshinosato Hureai Center” offers accommodations
for medium or larger groups. A free shuttle between BAO and “Hoshinosato
Hureai Center” is available upon request.
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For visitors coming by car |
| Parking lot |
*Free parking is available for night visitors,
located close to the night entrance. If there
is no space for parking, please use the nearby
free parking lot for Yumegahara Ikusaland.
*Daytime visitors are asked to park in the free
parking lot for
Chusei Yumegahara. |
| *Gas stations (petrol stations) in Bisei-town
all close early, so be sure to fill up your tank
in the daytime. |
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For visitors coming by bus |
*Bus stop for BAO
is Bisei Byoin Mae (at Bisei hospital), which
is the terminal of the Hokushin Bus Co. It takes
20 or 30 minutes
on foot (about 2k) to reach BAO from Bisei Byoin
Mae bus stop.
The final bus from Yakage bus station leaves
Yakage at 18:20 and
arrives at Bisei Byoin Mae at 18:57. The final
bus returning to
Yakage leaves Bisei Byoin Mae at 17:15 and arrives
at Yakage at
17:52.
There is no bus service
for visitors to BAO at night. Visitors may
reserve a hotel in Bisei-town or take a taxi
to JR Shin-Kurashiki Station via Yakage (about
6,500 yen, 40 minutes' driving time).
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