Hamanagawa Water Park Winter Solstice Sundial Viewing Event

About this event

Held at Hamanagawa Water Park in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture, this sundial viewing event coincides with the winter solstice. Using the sundial installed in the park designed by Kinsaku Nakane, a master garden designer of the Showa period, visitors observe a special optical phenomenon visible at 12:00 noon on the winter solstice. This phenomenon is a rare event seen only once a year on the winter solstice, allowing observation of the sun's movement on the stage. The recommended viewing window is from around 11:45 to 12:15, and arriving slightly early is advised. In case of rain, cloudy weather, or even on sunny days if the sun is obscured by clouds, the phenomenon may not be visible. The winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year; in ancient China, it was considered "the day when Yin peaks and turns into Yang," regarded as an auspicious day when the sun is reborn. Take this opportunity to experience the mystical light phenomenon of the sundial created by Kinsaku Nakane on the banks of the Hamana River.

Venue

Hamanagawa Water Park

643 Arai-cho Hamana, Kosai, Shizuoka 431-0303