Museum / Science Museum Spots in Japan

Area

Japan
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
  Iwate
  
  Miyagi
  
  Akita
  
  Yamagata
  
  Fukushima
- Kanto
  
  Ibaraki
  
  Tochigi
  
  Gunma
  
  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
  Kanagawa
- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
  Toyama
  
  Ishikawa
  
  Fukui
  
  Yamanashi
  
  Nagano
- Tokai
  
  Gifu
  
  Shizuoka
  
  Aichi
  
  Mie
- Kinki
  
  Shiga
  
  Kyoto
  
  Osaka
  
  Hyogo
  
  Nara
  
  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Leisure / Hobbies

Culture / Tour

Museum / Science Museum

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

4.5

7030 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hiroshima Pref. Hiroshimashinakaku Nakajimachou 1-2

This museum is located in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, in Naka District, of Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. It was founded with the objective of imparting the reality of the harm from the atomic bomb dropped on August 6, 1945, and the abolition of nuclear weapons, and the attainment of world peace. The museum is divided between the main building and the east building. Along with items that reveal the horrible spectacle and mementos of the bomb victims, the conditions of pre and post-bomb Hiroshima and an introduction to the nuclear era are introduced. The museum is remembered also by the 2016 visit of President Barak Obama, the first ever incumbent head of state of a nuclear power to visit the museum.

Thi is a beautiful park constructed adjacent to the Atomic Dome and is dedicated to the victims of the Atomic Bomb. The park has a beautiful landscape with a Cenotaph, children monument and a museum...
Samurai Museum

4.5

1907 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Shinjuku-ku Kabukichou 2-25-6 Yongwa 6th Building 1F

This museum is dedicated to generals and samurai of the Warring States period. There are displays of armor and swords by period, and explanations of the origins of the samurai. You can also rent armor to get your picture taken as a samurai! It's very popular with tourists from overseas. They also have an attraction letting you join in a sword battle, as well as lots of events like sword preparation and calligraphy classes. They also sell souvenirs and gifts like replica armor.

Very engaging and interactive experience at this museum! The guides were very knowledgeable on the history but also had really cool activities at the end (ninja and samurai) to make it a good...
Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum

4.5

2178 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Sumida-ku Yokoami 1-4-1

Located near Ryogoku Kokugikan, the museum has been popular since its opening in 1993 as a place to reflect on the history and culture of Edo Tokyo and to consider the future of the city and people's lives. Many foreign tourists visit this facility to enjoy learning about the city, its culture, and the lives of the people of Edo Tokyo.

Well worth a trip - lovely exhibition, amazing building. I spent around 3 hours looking at the various displays. Truly fascinating and gives a great understanding of the Edo period. Staff were...
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)

4.0

1089 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Koutou-ku Aomi 2-3-6

This is a national science museum on Odaiba island. The permanent exhibits cover a broad range of subjects from the simple science questions to those regarding the latest technologies including the earth environment, space exploration, and the wonders of life. The dome shaped theater that plays 3D science films and other three-dimensional planetarium presentations is very popular. The director of this museum is the famous astronaut, Mamoru Mohri.

If you come expecting a museum of emerging science and technology, you might be a tad disappointed. This really is more of a set of more or less sophisticated art pieces and exhibits showcasing...
CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda

4.5

682 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Ikedashi Masumichou 8-25

This museum in Ikeda City, Osaka, first opened in 1999 at the birthplace of instant ramen. With a variety of displays and hands-on exhibits you can learn all about the history and development of instant ramen by Nissin Foods' founder, Ando Momofuku. Don't miss the display which shows off almost 800 different products from throughout Nissin Foods' history. The Chicken Ramen Factory where you can make your own chicken ramen (fee and reservation required) and the My CupNoodle Factory where you can make your own personal CupNoodle blend (fee required) are both very popular. Admission is free.

We came on our last day, when we have time and didn’t know where to burn. We took the train, followed google map. At the entrance we were welcomed by the security guard, otherwise we might have just...
Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum

4.0

1011 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kanagawa Pref. Yokohamashi Kouhoku-ku Shinyokohama 2-14-21

This food theme park, which opened in the Shin-Yokohama district in 1994, was built around the concept of being able to eat ramen from all over the country without having to fly there. The interior, which recreates a Showa-period retro townscape, hosts famous ramen shops from not just all over Japan but from around the world. Attractions other than eating ramen include a gallery featuring exhibits on the history of ramen, a museum shop that offers souvenir ramen kits, a retro candy shop, events including live music, street performances, and picture story shows, and more. It is located a five-minute walk from JR Shin-Yokohama Station.

This is a small museum that re-creates the old Tokyo alleys full of ramen shops. There is some text information about ramen and its history but most of it is in Japanese only. It takes 10-15 minutes...
Fujiko F Fujio Museum

4.5

622 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kanagawa Pref. Kawasakishi Tama-ku Nagao 2-8-1

A museum in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture which exhibits drawings by the manga artist Fujiko F Fujio, as well as related materials. Standing displays of color drawings from the museum’s collection of approximately 50 thousand are changed on a regular basis and include examples from popular series such as Doraemon, Perman, and Kiteretsu Daihyakka. Special exhibits are also held regularly which give visitors the chance to view rare drawings and other materials never allowed to leave the museum. The museum also has many other points of note, including a recreation of the artist’s work desk, an area where visitors can read the actual manga, and a popular gift shop.

Most visitors come here with children. But if you love Doraemon, you can certainly enjoy this place. You can reach this place by riding a Doraemon-decorated shuttle bus from Noborito station. The...
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

4.0

838 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Tenjimbashi 6-4-20 Housing Information Center Building 8F

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, which opened in 2001, is located in Tenjinbashi in the Kita Ward of Osaka City. The Museum is focused on the cultural and historical aspects of how people in Osaka lived during the period from the latter part of the Edo period through to the Showa period. The ninth floor of the Museum building features a row of life-size replica buildings facing onto a “main road,” including Machiya shop-houses, stores, a firewatching tower, etc.; visitors can enjoy strolling around this recreation of an Osaka street scene from days gone by. The eighth floor has dioramas and other exhibits showing Osaka’s streets looked like at different times between the Meiji period and Showa period. The Museum also holds seasonal special exhibitions.

Cannot recommend enough. Appears like an outside museum but it is indoor and perfect to do on a rainy day.xa0 Located inside a building so take an elevator to the 8th Floor where you can purchase your...
Chiran Peace Museum

4.5

712 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kagoshima Pref. Minamikyushushi Chiranchoukori 17881

This museum collects materials and personal items relating to the special attack unit (kamikaze unit) active at the end of World War II. The museum was erected on the site of a former launch base with the aim of preserving records of the time for future generations and in a prayer for peace. Parties of 10 or more can listen to a storyteller with advance reservation. The museum also provides English, Chinese, and Korean audio guides. A five-minute walk from the Tokkokannon-iriguchi bus stop.

We were on a tour, so I hadn’t read any reviews beforehand, but as we had limited time in the museum I did not hire an audio guide. I wish I had as very few exhibits have an English translation. The...
Abashiri Prison Museum

4.5

792 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Abashirishi Yobito 1-1

This historic museum has preserved the former Abashiri Prison barracks as an outdoor museum. It was completely renovated in 2010. The virtual prison movie titled ''Forests Where Inmates in a Red Prison Uniform Worked'' is a must-see digital stereophonic theater experience focusing on the harsh working conditions of the erstwhile prisoners captured with the latest technology. One can explore the facility on a Guided Prison Tour, or actually eat the food the prisoners were given with the Experience Prison Food encounter. Two of the structures, 8 wards, transferred here are treasured as Japan's Important Cultural Properties.

An interesting visit especially the main prison building! We spent about an hour here but too bad the restaurant was already closed or would have loved to try the prisoner meal set!
Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

4.0

863 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Aomori Pref. Aomorishi Yasukata 1-1-1

This museum in Aomori City’s Aomori Waterside Area opened in 2011 to introduce the history and charm of Aomori’s Nebuta Festival. Inside the building there is a hall containing four floats used in the festival and a “Nebuta Museum” corner where one can learn about the festival’s history. The food area where one can enjoy lunch while looking out over Aomori Harbor is also popular.

This is a terrific museum. It is filled with colorful and unusual 3D paper lanterns floats used in the Festival of Lanterns parade in Aomori each year in August. Some of the floats are huge - up to...
Museum Meiji-Mura

4.5

501 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Aichi Pref. Inuyamashi Uchiyama 1

This outdoor museum is located in Inuyama City. It displays a number of buildings from the Meiji period, the era that created the foundation for modern Japan, that have been transplanted from across the country. Located on a large hilly area facing Lake Iruka, the museum's numerous exhibits include buildings designed as national important cultural properties such as the former residence of Saigo Judo and the St. John's Church from Kyoto, railway monuments, and modern industrial heritages. The museum also features a number of hands-on facilities including one where visitors can ride on steam locomotives or a Kyoto street car and another where visitors can take commemorative photos dressed in fashionable Meiji era-style garb. Fees are required for some activities. Groups of 20 or more can play a real-world ''Game of Life'' that takes place over the entire village (reservation required).

I had been there some times before. Every time I went there, it was an interesting experiences. Especially, you can see buildings of Meiji period. If you have any interest in architecture and design...
Osaka Museum of History

4.0

604 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Otemae 4-1-32

This museum northwest of Naniwanomiyaato Park in Chuo Ward, Osaka City opened in 2001. A permanent exhibit entitled ''Toshi Osaka no Ayumi'' covering the history of Osaka from ancient times to today takes up the 7th to 10th floors. The top floor features a recreation of the council hall of the Nara-period Naniwa Palace complete with 70 cm-thick vermillion-lacquered pillars and life-sized figures of government officials. Each floor presents the history and culture of Osaka through recreations of buildings, miniature models, videos, and abundant artifacts. The remains of Naniwa Palace are preserved in the museum's basement. Tours are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

This is very interesting to learn about Osaka and its history. Located by the Castle and you can easily combine the two. Easy to navigate and well laid out. Highly recommend if you want to learn...
Historical Village of Hokkaido

4.5

562 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Hokkaido Sapporoshi Atsubetsu-ku Atsubetsuchou Konopporo 50-1

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an outdoor museum which reproduces the frontier days of Hokkaido where you can learn about frontier history. There are four separate areas which are the Farm Village, the Sea Village, the Mountain Village and the City and you can walk through each village to experience the different atmospheres. At the Frontier Village Restaurant in the museum, you can eat the simple but delicious “Imo Mochi” and the restaurant’s original Tondenhei (Settlers’) Set Meal.

I’m astounded at the amount of effort and dedication it must take to maintain this place. It’s literally a village you can easily get lost in. I went during winter when there was barely anyone (it...
Edo-Tokyo Open-air Architectural Museum

4.5

355 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Tokyo Koganeishi Sakurachou 3-7-1 In the Metropolitan Koganei Park

This is an outdoor museum that exhibits historical buildings reconstructed from the metropolitan Koganei Park. It was established as an annex of the Edo-Tokyo Museum. In this museum, there are more than 30 restored buildings that date back to the Edo and early Showa periods. In the Center Zone are several reconstructed buildings such as Jisho-in Mausoleum (Otama-ya) and the residence of Takahashi Korekiyo who was assassinated in the 2.26 Incident. There are also reconstructed houses from Yamanote at the West Zone and at the East Zone visitors can enjoy a traditional neighborhood atmosphere with stores, public baths, and bars.

小金井公園の敷地内にある野外博物館。江戸時代から明治・大正時代の面影を遺す建物を移築し、保存することにより、その時代の建物の特徴や暮らしを身近に体験することが出来ます。都心から1時間程度で行けるところにあるため、気軽に行くことが出来ます。昔ながらの家屋や古民家が好き、そこにいるとホッとする、という、日頃のコンクリートジャングルに囲まれた生活の中で疲れを感じた人が行くには最適のところではないかと思い...
Nara National Museum

4.5

484 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou 50

This is a museum which opened in Nara City in 1895. The “Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall (in the main building)” which was designed by the court architect, Katayama Tokuma is a Western-style architectural structure from the Meiji period and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. There are four exhibition halls in the museum, with the museum’s collection focusing on Japanese Buddhist art from the Asuka period up until the Kamakura period. In addition, a great number of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are among the artifacts held and exhibited at the museum. The museum is famous for opening an exhibition of “Shosoin-ten” (Exhibition of Shosoin Treasures) in Autumn every year.

My friends and I spent about 2 and a half hours here, reading about each statue and piece we came across. There’s plenty of historic pieces to keep you busy that long!
Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum

4.0

711 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Okinawa Pref. Nahashi Omoromachi 3-1-1

The Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum, which is the largest museum of its kind in Okinawa Prefecture, is located approximately 10 minutes’ walk from Omoromachi Station on the Okinawa Urban Monorail (Yuirail) line. Besides the Museum’s permanent exhibitions—which comprise general exhibitions relating to Okinawa’s natural environments, history and culture, as well as five sub-exhibitions on natural history etc.—special exhibitions are also held. The outdoor display area, with its reconstructions of a traditional Ryukyuan farmhouse and storehouse, is particularly popular with visitors. The Art Museum’s collections are focused on the work of artists with a connection to Okinawa island or Okinawa Prefecture, as well as modern and contemporary art; exhibits include contemporary artworks from Japan, other Asian countries, and the U.S.A., etc.

A nice museum with lots to show. I specifically liked the natural history sections a lot. In some sections, there is no English translation on the info cards, so you may get lost a little if you do...
Toyota Museum

4.5

341 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Aichi Pref. Nagakuteshi Yokomichi 41-100

Opened in 1989 for the 50th anniversary of Toyota Motor, the museum has a main building and annex. You can easily learn about the history of the evolution of automobiles. There is a library inside where you can deepen your knowledge of automobiles. In addition, there is also a library for children with picture books of vehicles. The museum shop has plenty of original goods, and the restaurant has a menu centered on Western-style dishes. There are car-related reading materials even in the cafe, so you can spend a relaxing time there.

I have been there more than three times! Of course I like cars. And my son also likes them. We can see many kinds of cars, not only Toyota cars but also another company’s automobiles. They are...
Kids Plaza Osaka

4.5

373 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Ougimachi 2-1-7

Japan’s first hands-on learning museum for children, Kids Plaza Osaka is dedicated to helping children experience new things and emotions through play and to extend the possibilities and individuality of children. The Kids Town, designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, is a maze-like area made up entirely of curved lines. The museum is overflowing with exhibits where children can learn about world cultures, nature, chemistry, and society while playing. The museum also conducts events where children and parents can join in together and the facilities are complete with a nursing room and dining tables. The museum is also popular with families with young children. Ogimachi Station is the closest station to the museum.

When we were planning our trip to Osaka, Kids Plaza Osaka was a place which we wanted to get a look at and which we wanted our 6 year old to visit. It is situated in an office building with the...
Fukuoka City Museum

4.0

361 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Fukuoka Pref. Fukuokashisawaraku Momochihama 3-1-1

This public City Museum is near both Fukuoka Tower and the Fukuoka Dome. On display are historical materials that are closely related to both Fukuoka and Hakata. The King of Na gold seal, a National Treasure of Japan, made from real gold, is continuously on display inside of a case. There are numerous masterpieces on display that were donated by the Kuroda Family, former Lords of Fukuoka Domain, including a famous spear, the Nippon-Go, and numerous legendary swords.

Fukuoka City Museum is located near Fukuoka Tower. If you take Subway, the nearest station is Nishijin. The main attraction of this museum is “gold seal” that was given to a Japanese ruler by Chinese...