Akashi Municipal Planetarium（明石市立天文科学館） is located in Akashi city, Hyogo prefecture. Akashi, located west of prefectural capital Kobe, Japan Standard Time Meridian(JSTM) passes this city.
There is a water clock at the entrance of the planetarium and a clock tower which are above the JSTM. Japan Standard Time Meridian is 135° east. Time difference between Prime meridian at Greenwich, UK is 9 hours.
The planetarium opened in 1960 and it is told that the first planetarium opened in Japan. Opening hours is from 09:30 to 17:00(last entry at 16:30). Closed on Mondays, second Tuesday of the month and year end/year beginning.
The nearest station is Hitomarumae of Sanyo Electric Railway but if you are using Japan Rail Pass, get off at JR Akashi station on JR Kobe(Sanyo main) line and walk to east for 15 minutes. It is ideal place to visit after Himeji castle which is also on JR Kobe line. Then, do not forget to eat Akashi-yaki when you are in Akashi.