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Southern Island Star Festival 2026
The "Southern Island Star Festival" will be held with the theme of the starry sky, coinciding with the traditional Tanabata festival (August 19, 2026).
This year, the event will be held for nine days, from August 15th (Saturday) to August 23rd (Sunday).
During the event period, different events will be held daily. Live performances, stargazing sessions, lectures, facility tours, and more will take place at various locations.
Southern Island Star Festival 2026 Program
| 1. Evening Cool-Down Live Performance & Stargazing Event | August 15th 18:00 start | Minami-no-Hama Town Green Park |
| 2. Stargazing Guide Symposium | August 16th 14:00 start | Ishigaki City Hall, Medium Hall |
| 3. VERA Ishigaki Island Special Opening | August 23rd, 10:00-16:00 | National Astronomical Observatory of Japan VERA Ishigaki Island Observatory |
| 4. Astronomical observation event* | August 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 20:00-21:00 | National Astronomical Observatory Ishigakijima Observatory |
| 5. Observatory facility tour* | August 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 10:00-16:30 (Last entry 16:00) | National Astronomical Observatory Ishigakijima Observatory |
| 6. Special Planetarium Show | August 22nd and 23rd, 13:30-14:15 | Ishigaki Island Starry Sea Planetarium |
| 7. Starry Sky Photography Workshop (Registration Closed) | August 17th, 19:15-21:30 | Ishigaki City Hall Community Room |
* Content may be subject to change.
◆The program for the Southern Island Star Festival 2026 is subject to change. Please be sure to check the official website.
Southern Island Star Festival Official Website