Safe Observation Guidelines
This page outlines key safety precautions for observing the moon in Japan. Always prioritize official updates and warnings from public agencies, such as the Japan Meteorological Agency and local authorities.
1. Do Not Look at the Sun with the Naked Eye or Optical Instruments
Please never look directly at the sun with your naked eye. There is a risk of severe eye damage.
Looking at the sun through optical instruments such as telescopes, binoculars, or DSLR cameras is extremely dangerous and can cause instant blindness.
When observing during the daytime, evening, or early morning, please be extremely careful that your equipment is not accidentally pointed at the sun. If children are observing, a parent or guardian must accompany them.
2. Observing on Beaches and Coastal Areas and Earthquake/Tsunami Response
If you feel even a slight seismic tremor (a strong tremor, a weak but long-lasting tremor, or a subtle tremor that is hard to distinguish) while observing on a coast, breakwater, or sandy beach, immediately suspend observation and evacuate to high ground or a safe evacuation site without waiting for tsunami information to be issued.
Furthermore, even if you do not feel any tremor, if a Major Tsunami Warning, Tsunami Warning, or Tsunami Advisory is issued, immediately leave the sea or rivers (including near river mouths) and evacuate to high ground or a safe evacuation site.
Coastal areas at night are dangerous because it is difficult to visually confirm approaching waves. Avoid going near the edge of breakwaters or places with poor footing.
3. How to Utilize Kyoshin Monitor (Strong Motion Monitor)
To grasp sudden tremors at the observation site or earthquake conditions in various places in real-time, we recommend utilizing the Kyoshin Monitor provided by the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED).
Kyoshin Monitor is a service that visualizes data from seismometers installed throughout Japan in real-time. By observing color changes on the screen (blue, green, yellow, orange, red, dark red), you can intuitively understand the spread of tremors and the seismic intensity.
Please use it as a means to check the approximate tremors in the surrounding area or when you feel unusual tremors at your observation destination.
Kyoshin Monitor (Yahoo Version)
4. Pre-installing Disaster Prevention Apps
Before moving outdoors for observation, it is strongly recommended to install disaster prevention apps on your smartphone in advance to quickly receive weather warnings and Earthquake Early Warnings.
Yahoo! Disaster Alert is an app that comprehensively notifies you of rain cloud radar, evacuation information, and earthquake bulletins for your current location and registered areas.
Yahoo! Disaster Alert Official Page
The NERV Disaster Prevention App is an app that delivers disaster prevention information such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and weather warnings at high speed.
The design is easy to read and offers excellent visibility.
NERV Disaster Prevention App Official Page
5. Health Management and Reasonable Observation
If you are not feeling well or are experiencing fatigue, please do not push yourself to go observing.
Lunar observation and photography tend to require staying outdoors for long periods. Even at night in summer, take measures against heatstroke (frequent hydration and salt intake), and in winter and early autumn, wear warm clothing to prevent hypothermia. In spring, be sure to take thorough measures against hay fever.
When observing away from your base, keep your equipment setup as simple as possible. Draining your physical strength carrying heavy gear and compromising your observation or safety precautions defeats the whole purpose.
We strongly recommend observing in places with good access to handwashing facilities.
6. Nighttime Observation Manners and Consideration for the Surroundings
When moving in the dark, illuminate your footing with a flashlight or similar tool, and be fully careful not to fall or have an accident.
Please be considerate of nearby residents and avoid loud conversations or the sound of opening and closing car doors at night. Also, do not shine flashlights or lights toward residential houses.
Entering private property or restricted areas (such as dangerous port areas) without permission is strictly prohibited.