TOKYO, Monday, September 8, 2025 (WNP): Skywatchers across Japan were treated to a rare spectacle early Monday as a total lunar eclipse – the first visible in the country in about three years – turned the moon a striking shade of red.

The partial phase of the eclipse began shortly after 1:30 a.m., with the moon entering total eclipse between 2:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Observers in western Japan enjoyed the clearest views, with the “blood moon” appearing high in the night sky.

In Hiroshima, crowds gathered near the Atomic Bomb Dome to capture the celestial show on cameras and smartphones. Applause and cheers broke out when the red-hued moon briefly emerged from behind the clouds.

“It was cloudy but I managed to get some nice shots, so it was worth staying up, even though I have work later this morning,” said a resident from nearby Higashihiroshima.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow over the lunar surface. According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the next total lunar eclipse visible in the country will occur on March 3, 2026.