Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is a family-friendly museum is dedicated to science, nature, technology, and the great mysteries of the universe. Also known as Miraikan, it’s located in the neighborhood of Odaiba.

The museum opened in 2001, full of interactive and educational displays. Its vision is to promote science communication, build global connections, and inspire the population to ponder and discover solutions to global problems. The museum also often runs panels, workshop classes, and talks for those who want to dig a little deeper.

Permanent exhibitions

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation has three zones. Each one explores a different facet of our relationship to science, nature and technology.

Discover Your Earth

This zone is all about planet earth. It’s home to the museum’s iconic Geo-Cosmos; a LED globe projecting images in a real-time fashion. The weather patterns floating across the display come from images shot by weather satellites daily.

Explore the Frontiers

This is a zone that explores space, the solar system, earth, and how it all works together. You’ll find exhibits like Mission Survival: 10 Billion, which looks at how earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters have shaped the earth. It also explores more modern human-made impacts. Another noteworthy exhibit is the immersive International Space Station (ISS) display, where you can experience what it’s like being inside the ISS living quarters.

Create Your Future

This a more philosophical zone; it investigates the questions of how humans can evolve while achieving sustainable prosperity. It poses to guests the questions ‘What type of future do you want?’ and ‘What does it mean to be human?’. It’s in this zone you’ll find the museum’s famous robot residents.

Dome Theater

The museum’s 121-seat ‘Gaia’ Dome Theater screens immersive 3D moving images. The themes explore science, the universe, and our place in it. If you want to know what’s screening, there’s a program schedule on the website.

Museum facilities

Miraikan has a restaurant/viewing lounge and conference room on the top floor. There’s also a small gift shop selling souvenirs on the first floor. The whole facility has free WiFi, as well as lockers, and baby change/nursing rooms.

How to buy tickets for Miraikan

You can buy tickets in person at the museum entrance. They cost ¥630 for adults and ¥210 for school-aged children. Entry is free for preschool-aged children, as well as holders of a disability certificate and one companion. A combo ticket for the museum and the Dome Theater costs ¥940 for adults, ¥310 for school-aged children, and ¥630 for preschool-aged children.

If you have the Grutto Pass or the Tokyo Pass, entry is free.

How to get to Miraikan

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is about a 5-minute walk from either Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station or Telecom Center Station on the Yurikamome Line. Or, it’s a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Teleport Station on the Rinkai Line.

Things to do near Miraikan

Nearby you’ll find plenty of retail and entertainment options in the three malls: AQUA CiTY, Diver City, and DECKS. For sights, there’s always the Rainbow Bridge, the gigantic Gundam statue, and strangely a small scale replica of the Statue of Liberty.

TeamLab Planets is 20 minutes away on the Yurikamome Line.

Frequently asked questions

How long do you need for Miraikan?

You could easily spend three or more hours exploring Miraikan, especially if you opt to visit the Dome Theater too.

Is there English information available?

Most signage is bilingual Japanese and English. Some staff will also be able to assist you with inquiries in English.

Does the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation have good accessibility?

The museum is wheelchair accessible and suitable for those with mobility challenges. It also has automatic doors, disability parking, ostomate restrooms, a wheelchair ramp, wheelchair-accessible elevator and bathrooms, and loan chairs.