Known as Kahaku in Japan, the Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno Park is a fabulous place to explore. As the name implies, the theme is nature and science—but there is so much more to this museum! From the fascinating world of dinosaurs to the intricate prehistoric formations of Japan, the museum offers a diverse range of exhibits.
National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo
Ueno Park is home to several museums, and one of the most popular is the National Museum of Nature and Science. Don’t be fooled into thinking this spot is just for kids; it’s equally popular with adults! From dinosaurs to the prehistoric formations of the islands of Japan, there is something for everyone here.
Our son loves science, and he had a great time learning during our visit. The interactive exhibits and hands-on activities make learning fun and engaging. If your children enjoy science and creatures, you can easily spend half a day in this museum.
Finding the Museum
Getting here is easy; if you take transit, that is. Here are the things to know about getting to Ueno Park:
- The park is a 5-minute walk from JR Ueno Station, Park Exit.
- Alternatively, it is about a 10-minute walk from the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/Hibiya Line Ueno Station, a 10-minute walk from the Tokyo Metro Ueno Station, and the same distance from Keisei Line Keisei Ueno Station.
- They have no parking areas for cars or bicycles.
The Best Things About This Museum
- Very affordable: The museum is free for anyone under 18 (high school students are free) and over 65 years old. It’s a very reasonable admission price of 620 yen for everyone else.
- Perfect for the whole family: There really is something for everyone here, from art to science and everything in between.
- The outer space displays and the under-the-sea exhibits are fantastic.
- Fun gift shop: The gift shop was just as interesting to explore as the rest of the museum.
The museum is free for anyone under 18 and over 65 years old. It’s a very reasonable 620 yen for everyone else.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Museum is closed on Mondays; if there is a national holiday on a Monday, however, it will be open on the Holiday Monday and closed the next day (Tuesday).
- Persons with disabilities can visit for free, including one caregiver for that person.
- The information desks are a great resource for planning your visit.
Two Buildings for the Price of One
The exhibits are divided into two buildings: the Japan Gallery in the front and the Global Gallery in the back. I won’t go through the galleries in too much detail, but I will do a quick intro for them below.
Japan Gallery
The Tokyo Science Museum’s main building was finished in September 1931, and its stunning architecture hints at its prestigious history.
Finding Your Way Around
True to its theme, the Japan Gallery focuses on Japan’s nature and history. The exhibits are spread over four floors. On the first floor, the theme is equipment used in science, including clocks, an astronomy globe, and earthquake measurement devices. Most floors have two wings where the exhibitions are displayed.
The Exhibition of Natural History
This area showcases an impressive collection of cultural artifacts. It covers early Japanese history, from the Edo period to more recent times.
On the second floor, the theme is Japanese People and Nature. It features topics such as how humans came to the Japanese Islands, explores the organisms surrounding Japan, and discusses the environment that supports Japan today.
While the nearby Ueno Zoo showcases live animals from Japan, the Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Science offers close-up looks at many specimens of Japan’s wild animals.
On the third floor, the theme explores the formation of the Japanese Islands, ranging from pre-dinosaur days in the north wing to the nature of the Japanese Islands in the south wing. Flora, fauna, and fossils, including dinosaur skeletons, are all on display here. Additionally, the exhibition features an impressive rendering of a life-size blue whale.
In between the wings on the third floor, there is a really cool room with mineral samples found in Japan, as well as meteorites that have fallen in Japan.
Theater360: An Interactive Display
On the basement floor is Theater360. Theater360 is a large ball-shaped theater with a bridge built across the middle of the room. Visitors stand on the bridge to immerse themselves in the experience. Once the movie starts, the projections are all around the room, and it feels like you are flying through a time machine traveling through life’s history. It is not recommended for those who get motion sickness easily.
Global Gallery
The second building houses the Global Gallery, which occupies seven floors, including a sky deck. The theme for all the floors is our planet Earth, from biodiversity to the evolution of life.
If you decide to visit the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, definitely plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the museum. Even if you are in a rush, we recommend spending at least two hours browsing through it. It is worth mentioning that National holidays might affect the hours of operation.
Thank you for reading our quick guide and if you are interested in other museums in the Ueno area head over to our Tokyo travel guides.
- Shinjuku 新宿
- Meiji Jingu 明治神宮
- Harajuku and Omotesando 原宿・表参道
- Shibuya 渋谷
- Roppongi 六本木ヒルズ
- Tokyo Tower (update) 東京タワー
- Ginza 銀座
- Imperial East Garden 皇居東御苑
- Akihabara 秋葉原
- Ueno 上野
- Kappabashi かっぱ橋道具街
- Tokyo Dome City 東京ドームシティー
- Asakusa (update) 浅草
- Tokyo Sky Tree (update) 東京スカイツリー
- Odaiba お台場
