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HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Japan's Most Beautiful Starry Sky
Ride the night gondola to an altitude of 1,400 meters and witness the night sky covered in countless stars
Achi Hirugami Tourism Board Co.,LTD
A quiet hamlet of just 6,500 inhabitants, Achi Village in Nagano Prefecture was recognized in 2006 as the place with the most beautiful starry sky in Japan. It all started when a staff member of a local ryokan looked up at the starry sky one night and thought of sharing it with city dwellers.
Today, the village offers year-round stargazing tours on a 15-minute gondola ride. Each gondola can seat 12 people, including pets, and can accommodate both wheelchairs and baby strollers. The Starry Night Tour is held throughout the four seasons, each with its own charms: cherry blossoms in spring, the Milky Way in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter. Prices vary depending on season, day of week and moon phases.
Collaborative events, including live music, short film festivals, and events featuring video games and anime, also take place every year, and Hirugami Onsen, which boasts 19 ryokan and hot springs with moisturizing properties, is just a 15-minute drive from Hirugami onsen.
How to get there
From Nagoya Meitetsu Bus Center (about 1 minute by walk from Nagoya Station) take the express bus Iida Line to Hirugami Onsen (about 1 hour and 30 minutes). Then take a night tour liner bus (about 20 minutes, only for Hirugami Onsen guests).
3731-4 Chisato, Achi-mura, Shimoina-gun, Nagano-ken
