The Southern Cross Observatory (星空観測タワー) stands near the island's southern coast, a short ride from the village by bicycle. The tower was built specifically to view the Southern Cross, which can be seen from this point in Japan but nowhere else in the country — the islands of Miyako and Okinawa proper are too far north for the constellation to clear the horizon cleanly.
The best viewing is from November through March, when the Southern Cross is at its highest. The observatory offers basic astronomical displays and the open platform gives a clear view of the southern sky. Even without a telescope, the star density on a dark, clear night is remarkable by Japanese standards. The road down from the village passes through sugarcane fields and is peaceful to cycle at dusk.