When can I see the ISS from Sapporo?

The next pass over Sapporo is on Friday 25 September at 18:12 GMT+9, rising in the northwest. The best times to look are during the dark hours just after dusk and just before dawn, when the station is lit by the Sun while the sky around you is dark.

Which direction does the ISS appear from in Sapporo?

The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Sapporo begin in the western half of the sky and travel towards the east. Each pass on this page lists the exact rise and set directions.

How bright is the ISS over Sapporo?

During a high pass the ISS can reach magnitude -3 to -4, brighter than any star or planet. It looks like a steady white dot moving across the sky over a few minutes. It does not blink or have coloured lights, which is how you tell it apart from an aircraft.

Do I need a telescope to see the ISS from Sapporo?

No. The ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from Sapporo. A telescope or binoculars are not needed and actually make it harder to follow because the station moves quickly across the sky.

ISS Over Sapporo Tonight

The next pass of the International Space Station over Sapporo, Japan will be visible to the naked eye on Friday 25 September at 18:12 GMT+9. It rises in the northwest and reaches a maximum elevation of 41 degrees above the horizon, a high, bright pass that is easy to spot. The pass lasts about 7 min 40 sec. Look up and you should see a steady, bright white point of light moving smoothly across the sky.

Open the live pass tracker for Sapporo →

Next visible ISS passes over Sapporo

When (local time)	Direction	Max elevation	Visible for	Brightness
Friday 25 September 18:12 GMT+9	NW → ESE	41°Very good	7 min 40 sec	Brightmag -2.6
Friday 25 September 19:49 GMT+9	WNW → SSE	29°Good	3 min 50 sec	Faintmag -0.1
Saturday 26 September 19:01 GMT+9	WNW → SE	49°Very good	6 min	Brightmag -2.6
Sunday 27 September 18:14 GMT+9	WNW → SE	84°Excellent	8 min	Very brightmag -3.2
Sunday 27 September 19:51 GMT+9	WNW → S	11°Low	3 min 30 sec	Faintmag 0.5
Monday 28 September 19:03 GMT+9	WNW → SSE	18°Fair	6 min 20 sec	Faintmag -0.7
Tuesday 29 September 18:15 GMT+9	WNW → SSE	30°Good	8 min 40 sec	Moderatemag -1.4
Thursday 1 October 18:17 GMT+9	WNW → S	11°Low	8 min 43 sec	Faintmag 0.2

Showing the next 8 naked-eye visible passes over Sapporo, in local time (Asia/Tokyo). A more negative magnitude is a brighter pass.

Can you see the ISS from Sapporo?

Yes. The International Space Station is visible from Sapporo several times a month, whenever it passes overhead during the hour or two after sunset or before sunrise while it is still catching sunlight against a dark sky. No telescope is needed; the station is one of the brightest objects in the night sky and is easily seen with the unaided eye. Your next good opportunity from Sapporo is on Friday 25 September at around 18:18 GMT+9, when the station climbs to 41 degrees above the horizon.

About the International Space Station

The International Space Station is the largest human-made structure in orbit, about the size of a football pitch and weighing roughly 420 tonnes. It circles the Earth at an altitude of around 420 kilometres and a speed of about 28,000 kilometres per hour, completing one orbit roughly every 90 minutes. That means the crew on board see around 16 sunrises and sunsets every day.

Because the station is so large and its solar panels are so reflective, it shines by reflected sunlight and can become one of the brightest objects in the night sky. It is visible from the ground without any equipment whenever it passes overhead during twilight, when the observer is in darkness but the station high above is still bathed in sunlight.

How to spot the ISS from Sapporo

Find a spot with a clear view of the sky and as little light pollution as possible. A few minutes before the pass time listed above, look towards the rising direction shown for the pass. You do not need a telescope or binoculars; the station is easily bright enough to see with your eyes alone.

The ISS appears as a steady, bright point of light that glides smoothly across the sky. Unlike an aircraft it has no flashing or coloured lights. A pass lasts only a few minutes, and the station may suddenly fade and disappear partway across the sky as it crosses into the Earth’s shadow, so be ready and keep watching.

Frequently asked questions

When can I see the ISS from Sapporo?: The next pass over Sapporo is on Friday 25 September at 18:12 GMT+9, rising in the northwest. The best times to look are during the dark hours just after dusk and just before dawn, when the station is lit by the Sun while the sky around you is dark.
Which direction does the ISS appear from in Sapporo?: The International Space Station can rise from any point along the horizon, but most visible passes over Sapporo begin in the western half of the sky and travel towards the east. Each pass on this page lists the exact rise and set directions.
How bright is the ISS over Sapporo?: During a high pass the ISS can reach magnitude -3 to -4, brighter than any star or planet. It looks like a steady white dot moving across the sky over a few minutes. It does not blink or have coloured lights, which is how you tell it apart from an aircraft.
Do I need a telescope to see the ISS from Sapporo?: No. The ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from Sapporo. A telescope or binoculars are not needed and actually make it harder to follow because the station moves quickly across the sky.

ISS Over Sapporo Tonight

Next visible ISS passes over Sapporo

Can you see the ISS from Sapporo?

About the International Space Station

How to spot the ISS from Sapporo

Frequently asked questions

Other cities in Japan

Nearby cities

Learn more