Hamamatsu Science Museum is now open after extensive renovation! Get an early tour of the facility!

Hamamatsu Science Museum was undergoing its first major renovation since its opening in 1986. After a long period of closure since April last year, it finally reopened on Saturday, July 6th. The editorial department will report on the highly anticipated “Miraiara”!

The concept behind the renewal of “Hamamatsu Science Museum Miraira” is “an activity base for [science x challenge] where you can think, talk, and act on your own.” I’m looking forward to it because it’s not just an exhibition that’s given to you, but one that you can actually experience and learn from. You can feel the rebirth just by stepping onto the premises. The outdoor area, named “Science Park,” has a children’s playground and outdoor athletics coexisting with nature. It is sure to become a lively square where you can hear the voices of children on sunny days.

And finally, let’s go inside the building. The first thing that catches your eye is the futuristic interior that arouses curiosity. Although I was curious about the large screen and stylish cafe on the second floor, I proceeded to the exhibition first. After the renovation, there will be more than 100 exhibits with an emphasis on hands-on experiences. Each theme is categorized into six themes: “Nature,” “Light,” “Space,” “Power,” “Sound,” and “New Technology.” There is a “nature zone” on the first floor. Rather than simply showing nature, you can see the geography of Hamamatsu on a special screen, and by touching it, you can see the creatures that live there, making it a truly hands-on experience! It’s interesting to be able to explore nature and living things in various ways, from the macroscopic to the microscopic. Next, we headed to Miraira Core, which has a large screen that could be seen from the entrance. Science performers perform daily shows here. Think of it as a fun way to learn about science while listening to performers’ unique explanations such as “Hmm? What’s going to happen?” It’s like a science class.

▲”Nature Zone” where you can learn about nature and ecosystems

▲Fun science show at Miraira Core

A wide variety of exhibits that allow you to experience “Hamamatsu, the city of manufacturing”!

As you walk through the building to the second floor, you will find a vast exhibition space. There will be exhibits of the latest technology from 11 local companies and universities. Hamamatsu is a “manufacturing city” with many world-class companies, mainly in the manufacturing industry! New science and technology have supported many of these industries. It’s sure to be exciting to be able to experience science and technology that is actually being introduced into companies.

In the “Power Zone,” visitors can drive cars, motorcycles, ships, etc. while looking at a monitor, and experience the laws of physics from the movement of objects in a game-like manner. The “Sound Zone” was not just a display of musical instruments; instead, participants were able to experience the wide world of sound while playing with special equipment to learn about the nature of sound and how it can be heard. In addition, in the “Space Zone”, you can use VR goggles to enter the aquarium of the elementary particle neutrino observation device “Super-Kamiokande” and experience the moment when neutrinos light up, and in the “Light Zone” you can experience the phenomena and mechanisms of light and color in an attraction. There are many creative exhibits that you can play with. Time flies when you’re so absorbed in it. This facility is sure to stimulate the curiosity of not only children but also adults!

Speaking of science museums, we think of planetariums. This is also renewed!

In the planetarium, the light source of the projector has been changed to LED to reproduce a realistic starry sky. The interior, including the projection screen, seats, and carpet, has also been completely redesigned. The latest sound equipment and explanations of the content by starry sky commentators create a more enjoyable journey to the starry sky. The content is designed to be enjoyed by a wide range of age groups, allowing you to experience the starry sky and space in a realistic manner. In addition to the “live commentary planetarium” that the editorial department experienced this time, programs such as the large-scale video program “New Great Attack on the Dinosaurs” have also been released, and programs that go beyond the conventional concept of a planetarium as just looking at the starry sky are also attracting attention!

Food is also a science here! Science Library Cafe “SOW”

The cafe space that caught my eye as soon as I entered the building. The restaurant has an open feel and is a stylish space where you can eat on the terrace on sunny days. Science library cafe? ! Although I was wondering this, I proceeded to the store counter. I was surprised when I saw the menu. The main meal menu uses fermented ingredients, and I thought it was healthy and a bit scientific, but it turned out to be “Geological Tiramisu,” “Ishiwa Rare Cheesecake,” and “Litmus Paper Black Tea.”…. be on one’s mind…. You have no choice but to eat here! ! So I ordered everything.

The main menu is “fermented brown rice rice burger” and “fermented curry.” It’s a healthy lunch menu that includes a lot of vegetables, including side dishes, and of course it tastes delicious and leaves you very satisfied. We also recommend enjoying a leisurely lunch while reading the science-related books and comics lined up on the bookshelves. Desserts and drinks with interesting names include tiramisu whose flavor changes like the strata of the earth, a rare cheesecake that uses stone chocolate to represent a garden, and litmus paper black tea whose color changes over time. But you can enjoy eating it while looking at it.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, this facility also holds events and workshops where you can observe, experience, and consult. Don’t take your eyes off “Hamamatsu Science Museum Miraira”, a science hub filled with Hamamatsu!

“Hamamatsu Science Museum Miraira”

TEL.053-454-0178

Address: 256-3 Kitaterajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Business hours: 9:30-17:00 (Admission until 16:30)

9:30-18:00 (admission until 17:30) during part of the summer season *July 20th to September 1st in 2019

Closed: Mondays (open if Monday is a holiday), year-end and New Year holidays (12/30-1/2), etc.

「https://www.mirai-ra.jp」

* science library cafe “S.O.W.” has been changed to “kitchen KOPPE”. Please check the homepage for details.