National Museum of Nature and Science

Museum

Prefecture

Tokyo

Type

Museum

N/A

0 reviews

¥630

Entry Fee

Restaurant Train Access

Plan a trip with National Museum of Nature and Science

About This Destination

Japan's national museum of natural history and science, in two buildings: the 1931 Japan Gallery, an Important Cultural Property, and the newer Global Gallery with its dinosaur hall. Permanent exhibitions cost 630 yen, and under-18s and over-65s go free.

A life-size model of a blue whale lies beside the path outside, and a steam locomotive stands near it, so children are usually excited before they reach the door. The museum has two halves. The Japan Gallery opened in 1931 and is now an Important Cultural Property: a Neo-Renaissance building whose central hall has a vaulted ceiling with stained glass and a Foucault pendulum. Its floors cover the nature of the Japanese islands from north to south, how the archipelago formed, the Japanese people as read from their bones, and a skeleton of Futabasaurus, the plesiosaur found in Fukushima. The Global Gallery next door goes wider, with dinosaur skeletons on its basement floor, the evolution of life and the history of science and technology. Theater 36○ shows films on a spherical screen. Two hours only scratches the surface; a keen family can spend most of a day. Special exhibitions are ticketed separately and can fill the building on weekends. Handheld photos for personal use are fine, but monopods, tripods, selfie sticks and flash are not allowed. The restaurant is on the Global Gallery mezzanine.

Location

Prefecture: Tokyo

Address: Tokyo, Japan

Nearest Station: Ueno Station

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00

Closed: Mondays (Tuesday instead when Sunday or Monday is a national holiday), December 28 to January 1, and a fumigation period around June. Open every day in August. Special exhibitions can change the closing days; check the opening calendar.

Hours note: Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Special exhibitions set their own hours. Stargazing evenings on the first Friday of the month need advance online booking.

Best time to visit: Any time; a good rainy-day plan, but weekends during big special exhibitions are crowded

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Official Website

Access

Tokyo, Japan

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is admission?

The permanent exhibitions cost 630 yen for adults and university students. High school students and younger, and visitors 65 and over with proof of age, get in free. Special exhibitions are charged separately.

Are there free days?

The permanent exhibitions are free for everyone on May 18 (International Museum Day) and November 3 (Culture Day). Special exhibitions are not included.

Can I take photos inside?

Yes, handheld photos for personal use are allowed in the permanent exhibitions. Monopods, tripods, selfie sticks and flash are banned, and filming inside Theater 36○ is not allowed. Special exhibitions post their own rules.

When is the museum closed?

Mondays, or Tuesday when Sunday or Monday is a national holiday, plus December 28 to January 1 and a fumigation period around June. It opens every day in August. Hours are 9:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30.