When the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, a lunar eclipse occurs. The name for this in Japanese, “gesshyoku” (月食) is delightful, literally meaning “eaten Moon” (the equivalent for solar eclipse is “nissyoku - 日食). The Moon is still visible as its transit allows some direct light, and even when totally masked, light bends, giving the Moon an eerie reddish cast: hence its English nickname, “blood moon.” One will occur on Saturday, 7/28, and will be visible from Japan (assuming it’s not cloudy).
But you’ll have to get up early in the morning (or stay up late, kinda like watching the World Cup): It begins around 02:30 and ends around 04:30 as the moon sets (look west). Maybe get up early and then go back to bed. The attached chart is based on Tokyo time, but Kumamoto should not be much different. - William
