From August 30th to 31st, 2023, there was a "super moon" where the full moon was the largest of the year, and a "blue moon" that was the second full moon in a month. On August 31st, a large, bright moon could be seen in Kyoto and Otsu cities just after 7pm.

The full moon emerging from the clouds above the Higashiyama Mountain Range (7:10 p.m. on August 31st, looking east from the roof of the Kyoto Shimbun Company, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City)

According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the closest distance between the moon and the earth was at 12:54 a.m. on Aug. 31, and the full moon was at 10:36 a.m. on Aug. 31. It was the first super blue moon since January 2010 and the first celestial show in 13 years.

"Super Blue Moon" seen above Shiga Prefectural Office (7:28 p.m., August 31, Otsu City)

At around 7:10 p.m. on August 31 in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, a bright full moon peeked out from the Higashiyama mountain range, which was covered in clouds. Even though the full moon was obstructed by the flowing clouds several times, it was still brightly illuminating the surroundings.

Around the same time, in Shiga Prefecture, when the dazzling moon appeared above the Shiga Prefectural Office in Kyomachi, Otsu City, people rushing home would stop and take pictures.