As of Jun 19, 2026, 8:54 PM, peak season now, through ~August 15. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
From late winter through autumn, the dense Galactic Center region of the Milky Way (around Sagittarius and Scorpius) rises over the Yaeyama Islands.
Iriomote Island offers very low light pollution and open horizons, making it one of Okinawa Prefecture's best places to photograph and observe the galactic core when weather and moon phase align.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Komi Beach (Komi Hama), Iriomote Island |
| Western Coast Dark-Sky Stretch (near Shirahama/Ohara), Iriomote Island |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.