Miraikan- The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation- Tokyo, Japan

If you have children who are into the sciences, or if you have children that might think science is boring textbook stuff, you should definitely visit the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (aka Miraikan) while in Tokyo. 

 The museum is very much a hands on museum. Kids, and adults, are encouraged to participate in various exhibits.

There are many robot displays, as well as an awesome demonstration by the robot ASIMO. The ASIMO demonstration is 3 times daily, at 11am, 2pm and 4pm (but be sure to verify demonstration times the day of your visit).

Visitors are able to enter the Shinkai 6500. It is the world's deepest diving manned submersible. The displays display the power of the pressure at 1,000 meters below sea-level. All information is in Japanese and English.



 Near the submersible exhibit, there is a display explaining ocean currents. Again, explanations are in Japanese and English.



 Learning about radiation and how it is actually all around us.

You learn about different scientific definitions, as well as facts about various scientific discoveries.



 

Seeing the life cycle of carbon dioxide:

Learning about emerging innovations in plastics...and some *not* very wise genetic engineering (in my opinion).

There is a learning area designed for younger children. This is free with admission, but you must stop by and reserve a spot for your kids. Timeslots are every hour and last for 45 minutes. Spaces fill fast, so if this is something you would like your children to experience you need to stop by before entering the main exhibit hall to ensure you are able to secure a spot. It is located on the 3rd floor. We happened upon this area and had to wait 2 hrs for our available spots. We were given a card for each kid and then we went off to explore the main exhibit hall while we waited.

 The goal of this child exhibit it to let children explore cause/affect, questions/answers without parents or adults telling them how to do things. The children are suppose to ask their own questions and work to figure out their own answers. There is no 1 "right" way of doing things here: 

  

 Building with Legos (the Duplo size):

  

There is an area to build  an orb track:

Who doesn't love to color on the walls?

 

Coloring and motion technology:

Kids get to experiment with rolling balls and cylinders down hill:





 There is an area to create your own kites, or other type crafts:

The Miraikan Museum is great for school age children. There are several exhibits that involve visitor participation (like analyzing cognitive ability from how a person walks and answers various questions simultaneously). The museum is large and you can easily spend all day there. There is a café on the 5th floor. The 7th floor offers views of the surrounding Tokyo Waterfront Area.

The museum is not a place to really entertain toddlers and school age kids together. Our toddler was all over the place, getting lost in the crowds a few times. This made it not very enjoyable for us parents because 1 was always having to keep a close eye on him, or run off after him. Needless to say, we didn't get to really delve into the exhibits. Our older kids enjoyed participating in, reading and learning about the various exhibits.

It is located on Odaiba, a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay. Legoland Tokyo is located on the same island, as well as several shopping malls, the Ooedo Onsen Monogatari "theme park" and views of the Rainbow Bridge.

The museum costs 620 yen for adults and 210 yen for children elementary age through 17 yrs old. Preschoolers and younger are free. The US dollar equivalent is about $5 per adult and $2 per youth. The museum is free for anyone under 18 years of age on Saturdays. Remember though, that many people are visiting on Saturdays, so it may be worth is to spend the $2+ and avoid the massive crowds.

The museum is CLOSED on TUESDAYS! It is open Wed-Mon from 10am to 5pm. I would suggest you allot at least 2 hrs to explore this museum, more if you have time. There is so much to see and do here!