Visited the National Astronomical Observatory on the University of Tokyo's Mitaka Campus. Also had a high-value lunch at this cafeteria operated by the university co-op, where you get change back from a one-coin payment. Please note that this shop is prioritized for observatory staff and students, so general customers are requested to come after 12:30. You can also purchase National Astronomical Observatory goods at the shop next to the cafeteria. Co-op Cafeteria at the University of Tokyo Mitaka Campus 2-21-1 Ohsawa, Mitaka City, Tokyo Cosmos Kaikan, National Astronomical Observatory Mitaka Campus Phone: 0422-31-8391 Hours: 11:40-13:15 Closed on Saturdays and Sundays

The Astronomical Observatory (Director Masahiko Hayashi) is currently the National Astronomical Observatory of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, a university joint-use institution. It is Japan's national center for astronomy with world-class observation facilities. The Tokyo Astronomical Observatory was established in June 1888 in Azabu Iikura, Minato-ku, and was relocated to Mitaka in 1924 after being damaged by the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. It was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), but was incorporated on April 1, 2004, and continues to operate as a corporation. The National Astronomical Observatory in Mitaka City, where the headquarters is located, is called the Mitaka Campus. During lunch hours, you can use the cafeteria, shop, and rest area at the Cosmos Kaikan building run by the University Co-op Observatory Store, where you can eat and drink. The cafeteria operates only from 11:40 to 13:15 on weekdays, and even with limited hours, it is often crowded with regular staff. The shop is open from 10:30 to 17:30, selling National Astronomical Observatory goods, stationery, drinks, snacks, etc. I was a little late and the line was already long, even going back and forth. I had the famous curry for 270 yen (apparently the same as at the University of Tokyo) and the pork bowl for 450 yen. It's been a while since I had curry without any ingredients. I don't remember eating this kind of curry except during my student days. It seems like all the vegetables have boiled away, and I can't even see the meat. It's just "cheap", but I think I'd rather have it as a main dish on a set meal with rice covered in curry sauce (^^ゞ. If that's the case, it might be smarter to buy a mini curry for 140 yen or a mini curry and half rice for 220 yen instead of a main dish for 220 yen and a side dish for 220-400 yen, miso soup for 30 yen, and rice for 130 yen. The bowl today is Iberico pork bowl. The thinly sliced pork belly doesn't even taste like Iberico. They've sliced the Iberico pork so thinly and cooked it that it didn't "melt" at all. It seems like a menu item that's part of a set meal, with rice for 130 yen and miso soup for 30 yen sold separately. It seems to become a set meal for an additional 160 yen. You purchase it from a ticket vending machine. The meaning of the alphabet and circle numbers at the front is unclear. There used to be a 50 yen price difference between union members and non-union members, as mentioned in blogs, but I didn't actually see it. I don't feel the cheapness because I eat at cheap restaurants all the time. Yet, I have to line up, carry my own food, and even wash the dishes after eating, which makes me feel like "Hmm?" However, the high chairs by the window are clean and the view of the greenery outside is pleasant. Overall, there are about 500 staff members engaged in astronomical research activities, and it is open to about 100 researchers and graduate students from universities across Japan, including the University of Tokyo, Tohoku University, Tsukuba University, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Ibaraki University, and Japan Women's University. Staff from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the National Institute for Fusion Science can also enter for free every day from 10:00 to 16:30, except for the year-end and New Year holidays, and partial facility tours are possible. No reservation is required, especially for small groups. The bicycle parking is free, but the parking lot is paid and accessed from the back gate. The Mitaka Campus also includes the First Equatorial Room, the Solar Tower Telescope, and the Observatory History Museum, which were registered as tangible cultural properties from 1998 to 2002. There are two guided tours available. For more information, visit the Cultural Property Tour website. In addition, there is the Star and Forest and Picture Book House (built in 1915) operated by Mitaka City. The building is preserved and used, with a large garden used for displaying picture books and providing a place to enjoy picture books.【Menu】140 yen - Mini Curry Rice 220 yen - J. Saury in Nishin Marinade (rice and miso soup sold separately) 270 yen - Curry Rice 320 yen - D. Pacific Saury Karaage (rice and miso soup sold separately) 340 yen - Large Curry Rice 400 yen - N. Carb Chicken (rice and miso soup sold separately) 450 yen - Iberico Pork Bowl 480 yen - K. W. Croquette (beef, crab / rice and miso soup sold separately) 30 yen - Miso Soup 50 yen - Cold Tofu 70 yen - Half Rice 80 yen - Boiled Spinach, Soft-Boiled Egg, Natto 100 yen - ===========