Nobeyama Radio Observatory in the Japanese Alps: Pioneering Astronomy Research.
Discover the wonders of the universe at Nobeyama Radio Observatory in the Japanese Alps.

Nobeyama Radio Observatory

While I was driving around in Nagano, I noticed a huge parabolic antenna lost in the middle of the mountains.

One afternoon, while I was driving around in Nagano, I noticed a huge parabolic antenna lost in the middle of the mountains. I changed my route immediately to get closer to it. Then more antennas appeared. What a surprising place! I am not alone. Many people are coming back from a visit and the entrance is closing. That’s fine, I’d rather visit during the night 🙂

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

A few hours later, past midnight. There is no one and the sky is full of shooting stars. I walk in.

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

I feel so little here and the full-moon is the spotlight of a scene in which I am really tiny. Walking around those giants is quite intimidating and I know everything is active around me, eerily quiet. I am in love with the Nobeyama Radio Observatory.

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

I get to the huge radio detector I spotted earlier when I was driving. It is actually a 45m radio-telescope, not used to listen to the extraterrestrials’ rock stars but to analyze the short-millimeter wavelengths. This way, the professors working here can map the structure of our universe and detect such things as black holes.

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

I feel like I am in a scene from X-Files or Contact. Every once in a while, my heart jumps: there is a sudden buzz and clicks then everything starts to move. I realize all those giants are mounted on rails! It’s really odd to see them moving around.

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

This part…

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

The six big parabolic antennas at the entrance are the Nobeyama Millimeter Array (NMA). With them you can build high spatial resolution images.

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

There is more to see in this observatory such as the Nobeyama Radioheliograph (which is an array of 84 very little parabolic antennas) and Radio Polarimeters.

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

chubu, japan, japanese, nagano

I really recommend visit Nobeyama if you are between Matsumoto (Nagano) and Kofu (Yamanashi) area. The open time is from 8:30am to 5:00pm and it’s free! 🙂

And for more awesome content about Japan, follow Jordy Meow on Instagram ! 🎵

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Blue neon whispers, Winter's glow on sacred paths— Snow dreams softly fall. 青いネオン 聖なる道に舞う、 雪の夢。 #offbeatjapan #japan #neonatnight #winterinJapan #snowyscenes #japanphotos #urbanmagic
Scarlet lantern lights, Leading through nature's embrace— A temple's whisper.赤き灯火 緑に包まれて 寺の囁き#offbeatjapan #japan #mysticalpath #sacredsteps #traditionallanterns #spiritualretreat #templejourney
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Warm light through paper, In night’s cool blue, whispers old Tales of welcome glow. 温かな光が紙越しに、夜の涼しい青の中で、古い歓迎の物語を囁く。#omotenashi #traditionallight #serenenight #oldjapan #offbeatjapan #japan #japanesearchitecture #historiccharm
Starry night whispers, Light-soaked sakura in bloom — Ethereal glow. 星空ささやく 光浴びる桜 幻想的な輝き #offbeatjapan #夜桜 #hanami #cherryblossom #etherealglo #ruraljapan #夜の美しさ #japan
Rainbow balconies, Colors dance on gray canvas— Urban art alive.---レインボー・バルコニー、 灰色のキャンバスに踊る色— 都市のアート生きる。---#rainbowfacade #urbanart #colorfularchitecture #japanesearchitecture #modernjapan #offbeatjapan #japan
Sunlight whispers through, blue hues dance on wooden beams— echoes of old hands.光がしのび寄り、 青い色が木の梁に踊る— 古き手の響き。#offbeatjapan #hiddenhistory #vintagejapan #explorethepast #japan #ancientcrafts #forgottenplaces #quietmoments
Lush cliffs guard the sea, Deep blues kiss rocky outcrops, Isle whispers secrets.豊かな崖 青海と岩を抱く 島が囁く#offbeatjapan #hiddenjapan #coastallandscape #naturephotography #japan #serenebeauty #wanderlust