National Museum of Nature and Science
ℹ️ Information
The National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo is a world-class museum that offers visitors a unique and educational experience. Located in Ueno Park, the museum houses a vast array of natural history and science-related exhibits and collections. Visitors can explore the museum’s many floors and galleries, which include the Natural History Gallery, the Science Gallery, and the Special Exhibition Gallery.
The Natural History Gallery is the largest of the museum’s galleries, and it contains a wide variety of specimens and displays related to the natural world. The gallery is divided into several sections, including the Earth Gallery, the Life Gallery, and the Human Gallery. The Earth Gallery features displays on the Earth’s geology, geography, and climate, while the Life Gallery showcases the diversity of life on Earth. The Human Gallery focuses on the history and evolution of humanity, as well as the impact of humans on the environment.
The Science Gallery is home to a variety of interactive exhibits, experiments, and displays related to the physical sciences. Visitors can explore the history and development of science, from the early days of astronomy to the most recent advances in technology. The Special Exhibition Gallery features rotating exhibitions on various topics, including the history of science and technology, the environment, and the natural world.
The National Museum of Nature and Science also offers a variety of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages. The museum’s educational programs include lectures, workshops, and special events, as well as interactive exhibits and activities. The museum also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, such as the annual Nature and Science Festival and the Summer Science Festival.
The National Museum of Nature and Science is a great place to explore and learn about the natural world and science. With its vast array of exhibits and collections, the museum provides visitors with an educational and entertaining experience.
🕒 Opening hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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🗣️ National Museum of Nature and Science: Reviews
Visited on Weekend Wait time Up to 10 min …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Not sure …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Not sure …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visiting the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo with my daughter was an enlightening and enriching experience. The museum's vast collection of scientific wonders captivated both of us from the moment we stepped inside. We were greeted by life-sized dinosaur replicas at the entrance, which immediately sparked my daughter's curiosity and excitement. As we explored the various exhibits, we were amazed by the impressive range of artifacts and interactive displays showcasing Earth's natural history and scientific discoveries. One of the highlights for my daughter was the hands-on discovery area, where she could engage in various educational activities related to physics, biology, and astronomy. Seeing her enthusiasm while conducting experiments and trying out different scientific concepts was truly heartwarming. The museum's planetarium was another unforgettable experience. We embarked on a mesmerizing journey through the cosmos, learning about the wonders of our universe and the mysteries of space. Throughout our visit, the museum's thoughtful bilingual explanations made the exhibits accessible and engaging for both local and international visitors. It was a great learning opportunity for my daughter to explore different scientific subjects while appreciating the importance of preserving our natural world. The National Museum of Nature and Science not only piqued my daughter's curiosity but also reignited my passion for scientific exploration. It was a wonderful bonding experience as we shared knowledge, awe, and fascination together. I highly recommend this museum to families with children, as it offers an enjoyable and educational journey through the wonders of science and the marvels of nature. It was an unforgettable day that we will cherish for years to come.
Visited on Weekday Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Not sure …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekend Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended Yes …
If you love museums, this is yet another high quality stop in Ueno Park. Like the other museums in the vicinity, the tickets are really cost-effective. Whether you want to visit just this museum, or see it as a single stop when you head to Ueno Park, it should be included in your itinerary if you prioritize seeing museums.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
The best museum I've ever visited in 2016! Worth of 620 yen for admission ticket..realy worth it. I spent nearly 4hrs there. Also, you can find Hachiko's preserved outer body there.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Not sure …
Very nice museum, price reasonable for adults and children are free. English only speakers be aware that most of the exhibits do NOT have English translation.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Public holiday Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes …
So much to explore here. Luckily there’s a special exhibition during this times.
A good place to visit and learn about history, geology, about animals and other science.
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Not sure …
Visited on Weekend Wait time Up to 10 min Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait …
They are promoting the centennial of the birth of the faithful dog, Hachiko on 10 November 2023. A large and broad collection of exhibits on the natural world and scientific methods and instruments. The museum is free to those over 65 years of age. It might be possible to breeze through the museum in a couple of hours but if you are an aficionado of any or all the sciences, you will find yourself engrossed in the varied narratives. In the biology of Japan, there are examples of the giant Japanese salamander and the endangered Iriomote Yama cat. Strangely, there is no exhibit to the extinct Japanese wolf. The rocks and minerals are illuminated beautifully. (I am a geologist, so am partial to crystals, gems, etc.) There are a large collection of sun dials and compasses and surveying equipment. The gift shop is extensive and includes very pricey fossils in the back. Not sure of the status of these museum deals post pandemic: Both the Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass and the Ueno Welcome Passport have tickets for free admission to this institution.
The museum had great aesthetics as much as educative memorabilia. It was going through time. I loved the carefully curated artefacts. Should visit if ever in Tokyo.
So cheap! Only 630 yen for an adult. You could spend a couple of hours here very easily and the building itself if interesting. Maybe inspired by cathedrals. Includes rooms on the history of science and technology, climate and geology of Japan, animals and plants of Japan and the human history of Japan starting with arrival of the first humans 40,000 years ago. Not a lot of the information is in English so be ready with Google to take photos of the signs to have translated into English. It’s in a beautiful park as well.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
The fantastic place ever!! Highly recommended to visit. If your kids are dinosaurs lovers can not miss this place.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes …
Very nice large musuem, 630円 for general entry. There is two building with several floors. You can spend 2 or more hours here depending on the pace. Downside majority of the exhibitions are in Japanese language(if there is a touchscreen terminal next to it, you can access English), but it is still enjoyable to see.
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes …
Visited on Weekend Wait time No wait Reservation recommended Yes …
The kids (9 to 13) and I really enjoyed the museum. There is a good mix of exhibitions. Whilst we there covid restrictions meant some tactile exhibits couldn't be used, but that didn't really affect us too much. Many have alternative text in English/Chinese/Korean. I loved the room full of mineral samples and the history of the earth, the galleries of life on earth with all the stuffed animals and a life sized model of a blue whale was a big hit, as of course we're the dinosaurs and Pleisiosaur. Fun day out with kids, and really cheap for what it is. Also it's in Ueno park which is worth exploring by itself
FAntastic experience! The museum is really big, has several floors and galleries so my biggest advice is - go early! My opinion is that everything is a bit mixed up and I had difficulties to explain my 7 year old daughter how do animals relate to each other and what do they have in common. Long dinosaur floor. Real scale or near real scale models. Humane history takes a good part of the museum, but humans are only a very limited part of the Earth history so I wouldn’t even consider it, but models were there, perhaps from previous exhibitions. Loads of taxidermy.. ethically I personally would like to know where all come from since there’s really a big number. I would advice to bring a backpack, snacks and water and do plenty of small resting periods since there are so many benches around. One day is enough but you can’t take too long in each part. As for lunch I would consider three options: 1. The restaurant, regular quality 2. The cafeteria, has good options, faster and handy, has vending machines and you can have a quick and cheap meal. 3. Rooftop. Really fantastic place with tables and garden. If you decide to bring your own lunch, that’s a great spot to have a meal! Keep some budget for the shop museum. Really nice games, origami animals, animals cutters, wallpapers with animals, rubber models and so on! Have a great visit!
Visited on Weekday Wait time No wait Reservation recommended No …
Make sure to make reservations ahead of time to avoid waiting outside as they only allow a minimum amount of people going at certain time periods. That was my mistake because I lost 30mins, but don't fret! You can still fill out a reservation card on the spot Infront of entrance and enjoy the scenery while waiting. I was inside the museum for three hours and only managed to complete one building (global gallery) because there's so much to explore! There is a cute ice cream truck just outside near the main road on your right when you exit the museum incase you missed out at the food court. overall, an amazing visit. Need to go back to visit and tour the other building: Japan gallery.
This museum was a wonderful place to visit to see the history and science of the world and Japan. I believe it's the biggest museum in Japan about nature and science. We got access to 3 exhibits (a special one, global and Japan exhibit). Currently, the special exhibit is about plants and they do an excellent job going into detail of what plants are and what they do for our planet. If you enjoy learning and exploring interactive exhibits, this museum is a place you need to stop by. You can easily spend a whole day in this museum. If that's not enough, there's about 5 other museums in the area.
I was very big museum. Not only animal museum it has science and technology things and human , plants and planets also there. Many buildings and many floor. Lot to see there including 3D theater where they show 5minutes 3D video. Also see hachiko dog here which is famous for loyal to the own
The exhibits were top notch and detailed!! The exhibits were very well maintained!! The museum was clean and tidy!! The directions to go around the museum were detailed!! Every single exhibit was very lively!! The biggest museum i have ever visited.. i loved the part were all animals were exhibited and each animal looked amazing!! One thing i found missing was English description of exhibits!! It would been better to have descriptions in English!!
Great indoor museum for Family to spend half or whole day. There is specialized area for kids called "Compass", with exciting slide between real-stuffed-animals, big dinosaur born, books. Better check detail (time schedule and ticket info) in advance from Official HP.
It’s a good place for foreigners and locals alike. It doesn’t feel stifled like the rest of Japan where noisy children are frowned at. Here, kids can get excited and talk loudly without the looks of disapproval from seniors or salarymen. My children particularly enjoyed the dinosaur exhibits. Warning, gift shop is a place of temptation LOL
An awesome place for artefacts lovers and enthusiasts of science and natures. The science museum is huge with lots of sections like animals, birds, science and historical items too. The park is also calm and blissful place to visit and sit for a moment in peace. Various activities takes place within different sections of park. Some great statues are there and the fountain view is also great.
An excellent science and nature museum. Excellent for a visit even for non-japanese visitors. The nature exhibits were detailed and plentiful. The areas are well laid out and easy to navigate. The renowned cafe on the M2 floor was jam-packed, evidence that it is probably great too. You can easily enjoy a half day visit here and come out of it for the better.
This is the best place for children to explore, learn, and enjoy holiday. There are 3 floors and 3 basements with 2 different buildings. Each building has its own theme. Also, there is a rooftop with a herb garden. It costs 600 yen, but you can get discount if you are high school students or belong to partnership universities.
A museum located in Ueno and perfect for family weekend outing (there are a lot of museums in Ueno, plus there is a zoo). It's not very modern, but decent and proper for children. It's very interesting for my son although the information is mostly in Japanese. Children would love to see the animal display. I was impressed by the rocks and minerals collection. There is elevator, but there are still some stairs connecting the room, so you'd better park the prams / strollers on the basement. Also it's not really spacey inside, and it's usually crowded during holiday season. But I would recommend it for family with toddlers.