***Note the Museum will be closed June 24th-28th 2019 for maintenance*****

National Museum of Nature and Science (国立科学博物館) Ueno, Tokyo – The newly renovated (completed July 2015) National Museum of Nature and Science is a great place to slow down, have fun and learn! I was very impressed with the renovations in the permanent exhibit area that include the animal, dinosaur and science and technology areas. Here is a short video that will give you a taste of what you can experience. There is also a great special exhibit running through June 12, 2016, titled Dinosaur Expo, which includes a skeletal reconstruction of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a reconstruction of the Spinosaurus, the largest known carnivorous dinosaur to have walked the Earth. Note: Buying a ticket to the special Dinosaur Expo gives you access to the permanent exhibit. Plan to spend 2-3 hours in the museum. You can also have coffee or a meal at two restaurants in the museum. The one negative of the museum is that there is limited English. Some major exhibits signs have overview English explanations, but the detail signs do not. Hopefully, they are working on making the museum more foreigner friendly soon.

National Museum of Nature and Science

The National Museum of Nature and Science is divided into two buildings the Global and Japan Gallery. The Japan Gallery is housed in a 100+year old building which is quite beautiful. The highlights are the 3rd-floor exhibit on the formation of the Japanese Islands and has many forms of sea life on exhibit, and the 2F exhibit on the origin of Japan over 40,000 years ago and the overview of the development of civilisation in Japan. The Global Gallery renovated in July 2015 provides a full overview of the evolution of life on earth to present day. Start on the 1st floor at the Biodiversity – We are All Part of the Same Ecosystem. The evolution of life on Earth has over 10 million different species from sea life to large mammals. After the 1st floor head to the 3F to visit the Animals of the Earth which is an amazing selection of animals organised in a way that will wow all visits. Made me feel like I was on Noah’s Ark. On there 3rd floor there is also a closed play area that is great for kids 2-5 years, however, you need to get a special ticket (free) from a kiosk on the 1st floor. The ticket will have a designated time you can enter. By 11 am the tickets until 3 pm were reserved, so if you want to play in the space get your ticket first thing and then tour around the museums while you wait.

Also, note there are two gift stores; one in the special exhibit area (this time with the dinosaur theme) and one in the basement of the Japan Gallery. Both gift stores are very well merchandised, and you will be lucky if you walk out empty handed.

National Museum of Nature and Science Details
Address: 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-5777-8600
Days and Hours: Open Tuesday – Sunday (closed Mondays); 9:00 – 17:00  (last admittance 16:30)
Admission: Permanent exhibits – adults 620 yen, high-school students and below free; Special exhibits vary but usually cost 1,600 yen for adults and 600 yen for children
Website: http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/
Access: 5 min. walk from JR Ueno Station (Park Exit),  10 min. walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/Hibiya Line Ueno Station, or 10 min. walk from Keisei Line Keisei Ueno Station

National Museum of Nature and Science

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