National Science Museum of Japan, Tokyo

The National Science Museum in Tokyo is Japan’s only nationally administered museum. It is also a research facility and studies are conducted in the fields of natural history and the history of science and technology.

The National Science Museum was opened in 1871. It is located in the North East corner of Ueno Park. It began as the Ministry of Education Museum and later became the Tokyo Museum, the Tokyo Science Museum and later the National Science Museum of Japan. From 2007, the official name of the facility is the National Museum of Nature and Science.

The recently renovated museum has a vast collection of natural history exhibits and interactive science and technology presentations. Pre-Meiji scientific developments in Japan are also portrayed. Visitors are greeted by a beautifully preserved steam locomotive and a life sized blue whale. There are two buildings housing the collection. The new building has dinosaur skeletons and a display on the diversity of ocean life. There are interactive scientific displays including a room with tilted floors and mirrors to show how the sense of space works. The third floor resembles a real time wood with stuffed animals and children are encouraged to play with the exhibits. The old building showcases the flora and fauna of Japan and has an exhibit portraying the stages in the process of evolution. The entire museum offers both recreational and educational activities for children of all ages and their parents.

Opening hours: Tue-Sun: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.