National Museum of Nature and Science

Name: National Museum of Nature and Science
Address: 7-20 Uenokoen, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Ueno, Kantō region, Japan
Telephone: 03-5777-8600

Written by Adriana Paradiso

Established in 1877, the National Museum of Nature and Science is one of Japan’s oldest museums. Of all the national museums in Japan, it is the only that houses an exhibition of natural history as well as the history of science and technology.

Although the main building (housing the “Japan Gallery” and “Global Gallery”) is located in Ueno Park, there are also separate institutions under the National Museum of Nature and Science located in Tsukuba and Shirokane. Tsukuba is home to the Tsukuba Botanical Garden as well as Research and Natural History Wings. Shirokane is the site of the Institute for Nature Study.

Pro tip: The National Museum of Nature and Science is just one of our picks for Tokyo’s best science museums.

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Permanent exhibitions

At the main building, the museum is subdivided into two galleries. The main building houses the “Japan Gallery”, which contains exhibits on Japan’s natural science. These include some of the fauna and flora found on the Japanese islands, as well how the population of Japan hunted and survived in the past.

In the “Global Gallery”, there are larger displays covering animals from all over the planet, including an entire, life-sized blue whale. There are exhibits covering the basics of evolution and biodiversity on the 1st floor. On the 2nd floor, you can find displays of the first methods of navigation, spanning through the years up to space travel.

National Nature and Science Museum — Look for the life-size blue whale. | Photo by Gregory Lane

Special Exhibitions

Until Feb. 25, the main building is holding a special exhibition on the role of Nature and Culture in Japanese cuisine.

Museum Facilities

The main building (with the “Japan Gallery”) has both a cafe and lounge on the B1F, as well as a well-stocked gift shop on 1F. If you’re looking for seated dining, head to the “Global Gallery” – the 2nd Mezzanine Level (M2F) has the museum’s restaurant.

How to buy tickets for the National Museum of Nature and Science

Tickets can be purchased from the entrance of the museum. They cost ¥630 for adults, and admission is free for high school students and younger children. You can pay by cash, credit card, or IC card.

The museum is closed on Mondays unless a national holiday falls on a Monday. In this case, the museum will be closed on Tuesday of that week.

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