Tourism EXPO JAPAN 2024
International Dark Sky Place in Japan [ Ibara City ]
Ibara City is located in south-west Okayama Prefecture, neighboring Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Ibara is a rural city surrounded by beautiful nature, and has a population of around 37,000 people.
Ibara has a history of developing products, and has several specialty products, such as high quality denim, grapes, and burdock root.
Furthermore, Ibara also has connections to several historical figures, such as the great sculptor Hirakushi Denchu, the archer samurai Nasu no Yoichi, major power of the Sengoku period Hojo Soun, and the face of the new 10,000 yen bill Shibuzawa Eiichi.
This time, we would like to introduce you to Bisei Town in the north-east of Ibara. As its name suggests (Bi = beautiful, sei = stars), Bisei is a place where you can enjoy the beautiful starry sky.
Whether it be from legends about a fallen shooting star, or areas with names relating to stars, since long ago Bisei has had a deep connection to stars. From 30 years ago, Bisei has worked in developing the town to be the 'Hometown of Stars', and in 1989 implemented Japan's first light pollution prevention ordinance. Even before light pollution was recognised as an environmental problem, Bisei was working towards building a sustainable town.
In 2020, Bisei worked with Panasonic to install outdoor lighting, specially developed to reduce light pollution, and on 1st November 2021, Bisei Town was certified by the International Dark Sky Association as the first Dark Sky Community in Asia.
The centre of star tourism in Bisei is the Bisei Astronomical Observatory, which is one of only few observatories in Japan which has a telescope with a diameter of 101cm open to the public. In addition, there are also many other ways to enjoy the stars, such as the '4D2U' show in which you can travel through space using 3D, the 'star wall' in which original videos of space are projected in the lobby, and the spacious observatory deck where you can relax and observe the stars.
Whilst enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, we hope you will be able to enjoy the beautiful starry sky of Bisei.
Ibara has a history of developing products, and has several specialty products, such as high quality denim, grapes, and burdock root.
Furthermore, Ibara also has connections to several historical figures, such as the great sculptor Hirakushi Denchu, the archer samurai Nasu no Yoichi, major power of the Sengoku period Hojo Soun, and the face of the new 10,000 yen bill Shibuzawa Eiichi.
This time, we would like to introduce you to Bisei Town in the north-east of Ibara. As its name suggests (Bi = beautiful, sei = stars), Bisei is a place where you can enjoy the beautiful starry sky.
Whether it be from legends about a fallen shooting star, or areas with names relating to stars, since long ago Bisei has had a deep connection to stars. From 30 years ago, Bisei has worked in developing the town to be the 'Hometown of Stars', and in 1989 implemented Japan's first light pollution prevention ordinance. Even before light pollution was recognised as an environmental problem, Bisei was working towards building a sustainable town.
In 2020, Bisei worked with Panasonic to install outdoor lighting, specially developed to reduce light pollution, and on 1st November 2021, Bisei Town was certified by the International Dark Sky Association as the first Dark Sky Community in Asia.
The centre of star tourism in Bisei is the Bisei Astronomical Observatory, which is one of only few observatories in Japan which has a telescope with a diameter of 101cm open to the public. In addition, there are also many other ways to enjoy the stars, such as the '4D2U' show in which you can travel through space using 3D, the 'star wall' in which original videos of space are projected in the lobby, and the spacious observatory deck where you can relax and observe the stars.
Whilst enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, we hope you will be able to enjoy the beautiful starry sky of Bisei.
| Booth No | L-068 |
|---|---|
| Area | Dark Sky Tourism |
| Main Business | Municipality / government office |
| Official site | https://ibaracir.wixsite.com/visitibara |
| SNS Links |     |
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