The Yamanashi Prefectural Science Center (山梨県立科学館) is a great spot to spend a couple hours. It’s connected to Yamanashi’s Kodomo no Kuni, has up to 200 free parking spaces and is a short 30 min drive to the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art and the Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Literature.
They have lots to explore and do that will keep kids entertained including special temporary exhibitions and classes such as Lego and スークーミーボード programming, digital coloring that comes alive, science shows and so much more. Note, there is very little English instruction, but kids can figure things out as they go. Kids enjoyed looking for the Queen Bee at the center’s bee hive, games that challenge physical strength, balance and speed, the programming lesson and digital coloring area that included a small haunted area to explore.
The 2nd floor also holds a space theater with kid friendly movies. They are showing 5 movies; Dolphin’s Dobby and the Rainbow Sea, Planetarian, Nintama Rantaro’s Cosmic Adventure, Moon Frontier and Science Zero this month until November 3rd. Admission (Admission: 310 yen for adults, 3 years to high school students: 120 yen).
Floor Guide:
1st floor: Permanent & Temporary Exhibition Room
M2F: Baby playroom and craft corner
2nd floor: Space Theater, Restaurant, Store, Open Space
Roof: Observatory
Fee:
Adult 520 JPY
Elementary Kids and older 220 JPY
Planetarium: Adult 310 JPY, 3 years and older 120 JPY (3 years and younger charged if they use a seat)
Address: 358-1 Atagomachi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0023
Phone: 055-254-8151
Hours: 9:30-17:00（July 18 – August 23 from 9:00-17:30 Last Admission 16:30）
Closed: The first, second and third Mondays.
Open 7 days a week during July 14 to August 30th summer holidays.
Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday.
Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29th to January 1st)
There are other temporary closed days. (For more details, please check the website of the Science Museum.)
Website: https://www.kagakukan.pref.yamanashi.jp/
Access: Take a taxi from the North exit of JR Kofu Station or from Kanite Station on the JR Minobu Line. By Car: Set the car navigation to Atagoyama Children’s Science Museum. *Buses to the Science Museum run on public holidays, including Saturdays, Sundays, and citizens’ days.
Yamanashi Fuefukigawa Fruits Park – Beautiful Park with views of Mount Fuji
Yamanashi Prefectural Science Center
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