National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), Japan

Mission

Miraikan considers science and technology as a part of our culture, and provides an open forum for all people to think and talk about the roles and possibilities that science and technology can provide for our society.

Date Opened

9 July 2001

Activity Summary

Located in the Odaiba district of Tokyo, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) introduces cutting edge science and research. Miraikan has over 200 interactive exhibits designed and overseen by active scientists, categorized into four themes: The Earth Environment and Frontiers, Innovation and the Future, Information Science and Technology for Society, and Life Sciences.

The Geo-Cosmos is the symbol exhibit of Miraikan. It is a 6.5 m sphere and can illustrate real-time data about our planet. One of our new exhibits is the MEGASTAR II cosmos, a planetarium device that can show 5 million fixed stars - recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Miraikan also plans and organizes special exhibitions focusing on topics such as Fibers and Time, which travel at home and abroad.

Interpreters (docents) offer the most up to date information on each exhibit. Once a month, scientists provide presentations in front of the relevant exhibit to visitors, answer questions and thus put a human face to science. The Science Workshop provides various experiments such as finding DNA and making robots work. There are also 5 active labs conducting the latest research complete with a tour so that visitors and scientists have a chance to exchange ideas.

Over 800 volunteers - the largest number for any Japanese institute - play a significant role in the operation of Miraikan. The annual number of visitors (average of 600 000) is growing and hopefully indicative of an approach the public appreciates.

Status

Belongs to the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). JSF's presiding department is the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

Contact Details

National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), Japan

Address: 2-41 Aomi, Koto-ku
Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
General Enquiries: +81 3 3570 9151
General Fax: +85 3 3570 9150
General E-mail: info@miraikan.jst.go.jp
Website: www.miraikan.jst.go.jp

Director: Dr Mamoru Mohri
Title: Director
Phone: +81 3 3570 9159
Fax: +81 3 3570 9169
E-mail: mm-mesci@miraikan.jst.go.jp

Contact: Ms Sakoto Inoue
Title: International Development Officer
Phone: +81 3 3570 9161
Fax: +81 3 3570 9160
E-mail: s-inoue@miraikan.jst.go.jp

Membership Category

Full