Kozushima Dark Sky Island - Izu Islands, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is one of the brightest cities on Earth, yet part of it has some of the darkest skies in Japan. Kozushima (神津島) is a small volcanic island in the Izu Islands, about 110 miles (180 km) south of the city center, and on a clear night its sky is packed with stars.

This camera points straight up from the island, so on a good night the Milky Way stretches right across the screen, with satellites drifting through and the odd shooting star flashing past.

It was the first place in Tokyo to be certified by DarkSky International, and that's down to the fewer than 2,000 people who live here, who keep their outdoor lights low and shielded. The island can be reached by ferry, or by a short flight from Chofu Airport in western Tokyo.

Did You Know? The island’s name roughly means “island where the gods gathered.” Local legend says the gods of the Izu Islands met on its mountain, Tenjo-san, to share out the islands’ fresh water.

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