International Planetarium Society Conference Moves to Fukuoka in 2026

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has announced that the Conference of the International Planetarium Society 2026 will be held in Fukuoka, with active support and promotion from The Japan Planetarium Association, Fukuoka City Science Museum, and Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau.

After online presentations at the Board of Directors and General Assembly in Montreal, Canada in late October of 2022, a final in-person presentation was made at the Board Meeting in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA, in June of 2023. There, the decision was officially made to hold the conference in Fukuoka, Japan. This will be the second time that the conference is to be held in Japan, since the Osaka conference in 1996.

The International Planetarium Society (IPS) is a global association representing planetarium professionals from around the world, with approximately 500 members from 50 countries and regions. The Fukuoka conference will revolve around the theme of "One Earth, One Sky" providing an invaluable platform for members to gather, network, and share ideas related to the advancement of astronomy and planetarium technologies.

Japan is the second-largest nation in terms of the amount of planetariums, boasting around 300 facilities nationwide. In the Kyushu region, where Fukuoka is located, there are a number of large planetarium facilities, including two new planetariums that have just recently opened.

After the conference, there are planned excursions to various planetariums across Japan, offering international attendees a unique opportunity to experience Japan's charm.

In collaboration with the Fukuoka Convention & Visitors Bureau, The JNTO supported the efforts of the bidding committee to successfully attract the conference. We at JNTO continue to endorse the hosting of the IPS conference in Fukuoka and extend a warm welcome to all attendees visiting Japan.