[This website is helpful in seeing how bright the sky generally is in a surrounding area.](https://darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html#6/38.746/-221.089) Something of note about that map is that while an area looks like it won’t be dark enough, it can still be significantly darker than you’d think – and provide some great views regardless. You may want to keep in mind that your trip may have to be an overnight one, because it looks like you have to head a decent way out of Tokyo proper to cut the light pollution enough to really enjoy the view. Hakone or Nikko might be a good idea if you have a budget to stay overnight.
3 and 4 are not terribly far and accessible by public transport.
If you are going by train, Jogashima park is easily accessible from Misakiguchi station. I went there for Perseids and the Milky way can be seen nicely. It will take more effort, but you can find places in Yamanashi like Nobeyama plain or Tateyama in Chiba prefecture for something closer yet sort of accessible by train
How much do you really want to do this? Japan has an extensive system of trails and mountain huts that make overnight (or multiple night) trips very convenient. In the middle of the mountains is about as dark as you’ll get.
If you want to stay overnight in Tokyo area, then probably Izu Peninsula or Jogashima Park in Miura are your best bets. Chichibu area might also make sense during autumn/winter season.
Can anybody suggest some equipment for someone who’s just starting out?
I went here by car two weeks ago, but it started raining and couldn’t see that many stars.
There’s a bus stop and a resort, so you could spend one night and take the bus back. You can see the milky way at that location.
Problem you have is that anywhere with bus or train service will have a population to support said bus or train. And population equals light pollution.
The Kanto area has 42 million people and an overall population density equal to some North American cities. Even on a cloudless night there will be enough haze and dust to ruin the night views.
Shimoda has been mentioned a couple of times elsewhere, that’s a good balance of distance and accessibility, and it’s shielded by a couple of decent size hills.
The Izu islands are well out of the way and have excellent skies. Oshima is really no different than Shimoda but Miyakejima is well outside Tokyo bay and has regular ferries. Ogasawara is about 1,000km off the coast and makes an excellent holiday. There is one ferry per week, don’t miss the return trip.
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[This website is helpful in seeing how bright the sky generally is in a surrounding area.](https://darksitefinder.com/maps/world.html#6/38.746/-221.089) Something of note about that map is that while an area looks like it won’t be dark enough, it can still be significantly darker than you’d think – and provide some great views regardless. You may want to keep in mind that your trip may have to be an overnight one, because it looks like you have to head a decent way out of Tokyo proper to cut the light pollution enough to really enjoy the view. Hakone or Nikko might be a good idea if you have a budget to stay overnight.
[https://wow-j.com/en/Allguides/other/sightseeing/01578_en/](https://wow-j.com/en/Allguides/other/sightseeing/01578_en/)
3 and 4 are not terribly far and accessible by public transport.
If you are going by train, Jogashima park is easily accessible from Misakiguchi station. I went there for Perseids and the Milky way can be seen nicely. It will take more effort, but you can find places in Yamanashi like Nobeyama plain or Tateyama in Chiba prefecture for something closer yet sort of accessible by train
How much do you really want to do this? Japan has an extensive system of trails and mountain huts that make overnight (or multiple night) trips very convenient. In the middle of the mountains is about as dark as you’ll get.
I learned this in Pokémon. Nowhere in Kanto. Gotta go really far out to get to the good stargazing spots.
The eastern side of Japan for definite sure.
Dodaira in Tokigawa, Saitama
[Info in English](https://matcha-jp.com/en/4576)
If you want to stay overnight in Tokyo area, then probably Izu Peninsula or Jogashima Park in Miura are your best bets. Chichibu area might also make sense during autumn/winter season.
Can anybody suggest some equipment for someone who’s just starting out?
I went here by car two weeks ago, but it started raining and couldn’t see that many stars.
[https://norikura.gr.jp/product/hosizora-amanogawa/](https://norikura.gr.jp/product/hosizora-amanogawa/)
There’s a bus stop and a resort, so you could spend one night and take the bus back. You can see the milky way at that location.
Problem you have is that anywhere with bus or train service will have a population to support said bus or train. And population equals light pollution.
The Kanto area has 42 million people and an overall population density equal to some North American cities. Even on a cloudless night there will be enough haze and dust to ruin the night views.
Shimoda has been mentioned a couple of times elsewhere, that’s a good balance of distance and accessibility, and it’s shielded by a couple of decent size hills.
The Izu islands are well out of the way and have excellent skies. Oshima is really no different than Shimoda but Miyakejima is well outside Tokyo bay and has regular ferries. Ogasawara is about 1,000km off the coast and makes an excellent holiday. There is one ferry per week, don’t miss the return trip.