Key Facts
• August 9, 2025, marks the full moon, visible from evening to dawn.
• Known as the ‘Sturgeon Moon,’ named after sturgeon fishing season in the Great Lakes.
• Western Japan faces rain, limiting moon visibility; Okinawa offers clear skies.
• Eastern and Northern Japan may see the moon through cloud gaps, with higher chances in the north.
• Sunset and moonrise times vary by region:
| Location | Sunset Time | Moonrise Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nemuro | 6:29 PM | 6:43 PM |
| Sendai | 6:37 PM | 6:50 PM |
| Tokyo | 6:37 PM | 6:49 PM |
| Osaka | 6:52 PM | 7:04 PM |
| Fukuoka | 7:11 PM | 7:23 PM |
| Naha | 7:10 PM | 7:21 PM |
• Full moon occurs when the Earth aligns between the sun and moon, creating a 180-degree angle.
• The moon’s phases, including full moon, result from changing sunlight angles as seen from Earth.
Summary
August 9, 2025, features the ‘Sturgeon Moon,’ named after the sturgeon fishing season in the Great Lakes. The full moon rises in the east at sunset and sets in the west at sunrise. Weather conditions vary across Japan: Western regions face rain, while Eastern and Northern areas may glimpse the moon through clouds, with Okinawa enjoying clear skies. Sunset and moonrise times differ by location, with Nemuro seeing the earliest moonrise at 6:43 PM and Fukuoka the latest at 7:23 PM. The full moon occurs when the Earth aligns between the sun and moon, creating a 180-degree angle. This alignment also explains the moon’s phases, such as crescent and half-moon. The event highlights the cultural significance of moon names, with August’s full moon historically tied to seasonal activities like sturgeon fishing.
