Japan's First Facility Combining an Observatory and High-Definition LED Dome Planetarium, 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME,' Opens on Miyakojima; Grand Opening Ceremony Held

Miyakojima Kurima Resort Seawood Hotel, operated by Iida Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Musashino City, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Shigehiko Tsukiji) on Kurima Island at the southern tip of Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, opened 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME' on Monday, June 1, 2026. This is Japan's first facility (*) to combine an astronomical observatory equipped with a large telescope and an LED dome planetarium.

Prior to this, a grand opening ceremony was held on Sunday, May 31, 2026, within the hotel grounds, inviting stakeholders and media.

'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME' was born as Miyakojima's first public observatory. Located at 24 degrees north latitude, the same as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, it leverages the best southern night skies and an environment with minimal light pollution certified by the Ministry of the Environment to deliver a starry sky experience found nowhere else.

At this facility, celestial objects captured by the telescope in the observatory dome are projected onto a high-definition LED dome planetarium with a diameter of 7.5 meters. The fusion of images and three-dimensional sound allows guests to enjoy an immersive starry sky as if they have leaped into space. Each tour offers the charm of different stars depending on the time of day, accompanied by commentary from the qualified 'Star Uncle,' the Deputy General Manager.

At the grand opening ceremony, speeches were given by Kenichi Mori, Executive Officer and Director of the International Division at Iida Sangyo Co., Ltd., and Noboru Kazuna, Mayor of Miyakojima City. Also on stage were Keisuke Tani, General Manager of Seawood Hotel; Noboru Ikeda, Deputy General Manager; and Dr. Hidehiko Agata, Associate Professor at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, who served as the facility supervisor. They celebrated the opening of 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME' with its first-in-Japan features.

Following the ceremony, a planetarium tour was held, where participants enjoyed the beauty of Miyakojima's sea and sunset, along with the charm of the starry sky explained by the 'Star Uncle.' They deepened their understanding of celestial bodies while spending a moving moment.

After the tour, a reception party was held at the 'Beach House Restaurant,' decorated in blue and white inspired by Miyako Blue. Guests enjoyed authentic Western cuisine based on French and Italian cuisine, utilizing Okinawan ingredients. The venue was filled with emotion and excitement, marking a brilliant start for 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME.'

* Japan's first: Among planetarium viewing services in Japan (as of Monday, June 1, 2026)

Reservation site URL: https://www.asoview.com/channel/tickets/hMa5ReRqPf/

◆ Highlights from the Ceremony

Kenichi Mori, Executive Officer and Director of the International Division, Iida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
He shared that stargazing is his hobby, to the extent that he travels to find places to observe the Milky Way, and expressed his long-awaited excitement for the opening of 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME.' He then read a letter from Chairman and Representative Director Kazuhiko Mori, expressing gratitude to local stakeholders and a desire to make the hotel a place where guests can connect with Miyakojima's beautiful nature, starry sky, and flowers, restoring the rich sensibilities that often fade in daily life.

Keisuke Tani, Executive Officer, Iida Sangyo Co., Ltd., and General Manager, Miyakojima Kurima Resort Seawood Hotel
He stated that 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME' is not just a place to see stars, but a hub to deliver the overall charm of Miyakojima, including its beautiful starry sky, sea, landscapes, flowers, and the warmth of its people. He emphasized the facility's strength in allowing guests to experience Miyakojima's charm regardless of weather. He also expressed a future vision of contributing to the development of local tourism human resources through this facility.

Noboru Kazuna, Mayor of Miyakojima City
He mentioned that he had been looking forward to the facility since hearing about the construction plan and felt it was even more wonderful than imagined upon seeing the completed facility. He introduced Miyakojima as having one of the best stargazing spots in Japan, in addition to its beautiful sea and nature. He expressed expectations for the new experience combining the LED dome planetarium and astronomical observation, and hoped the facility would allow not only tourists but also local residents to rediscover the charm of Miyakojima.

Noboru Ikeda, Deputy General Manager, Miyakojima Kurima Resort Seawood Hotel, Iida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
He explained the features of 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME,' noting that unlike traditional planetariums, it has no central projector but instead uses 1,920 LED panels embedded in the dome wall to display images. He also shared that when obtaining a nature guide qualification in Hawaii Island, Hawaii, he learned much from the books of Associate Professor Agata of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. He emotionally stated, 'I am truly happy that we could ask Associate Professor Agata to supervise this facility,' with tears in his eyes.

Dr. Hidehiko Agata, Associate Professor, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Inter-University Research Institute Corporation, Natural Institutes of Natural Sciences
He evaluated the facility as one of the few state-of-the-art LED dome planetariums in Japan, combined with Miyakojima's nature and starry sky, making it a very valuable facility. He also spoke about the significance of supervising the facility, incorporating the value of Miyakojima's beautiful starry sky, the charm of 'Heaven, Earth, and People' where stars, nature, and human warmth come together, and a neuroscientific perspective that appreciating beauty enriches the human heart.

◆ Background of 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME'

Miyakojima and Kurima Island, due to their rare location at 24 degrees north latitude and an environment with little light pollution, are blessed with one of the best environments in Japan for observing beautiful starry skies, having achieved the highest rating of 21 magnitudes in the Ministry of the Environment's starry sky survey. The hotel launched 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME' based on the desire for guests to experience the overwhelming beauty of the night sky as an irreplaceable value of their stay, in addition to the charm of the sea that Miyakojima boasts.

This facility aims to be a place where guests can feel the maximum potential of Kurima Island, regardless of weather or length of stay, inspiring them to think, 'If I can see such scenery, I want to come back on a sunny day.'

◆ Features of 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME'

Japan is one of the world's leading planetarium nations, with about 300 facilities operating nationwide. Among them, 'MIYAKO GALAXY-DOME' is a stargazing facility that, for the first time in Japan, combines an observatory and an LED dome planetarium, fusing cutting-edge technology with warm staff commentary. Here are three unique attractions of this facility, making Miyakojima's 'stars' a new travel destination.

1. Japan's First Fusion of an Observatory and LED Dome Planetarium
It is the third LED dome planetarium in Japan and achieves 6K ultra-high-definition images, the highest level in Japan for a 7.5m inclined dome. It projects celestial objects captured by the telescope directly onto the dome, allowing guests to experience a space journey that even astronauts have never seen, including the far side of the moon and the rings of Saturn.

2. Overwhelming Immersion with a Next-Generation High-Definition LED Dome System
The starry sky recreated by the latest planetarium engine, as well as images of Miyakojima's sea and sunset, are dynamically projected onto the planetarium.