Of all of Tokyo's museums, this is the one that would probably delight both kids and parents the most. Even better, as Japan's largest science museum, it has an informative section that concentrates just on Japan, making it a good learning tool as well, and has lots of imaginative displays and exhibits geared toward children. It contains two sections, a Global Gallery covering earth, space, the diversity of life, and the evolution of humans, dinosaurs, and other life forms, and the Japan Gallery that focuses on the natural history of Japan. One of my favorite sections is the Animals of the Earth hallway filled with incredible taxidermic animals from around the world, including a polar bear, camel, gorilla, tiger, and bear; some of the animals are those that died at nearby Ueno Zoo. Other highlights include dinosaur exhibits; a Japanese mummy from the Edo Period still curled up in a burial jar; Hachiko (stuffed and so famous there's a statue of the dog at Shibuya Station); and re-created wood and marine habitats. ComPaSS, a playroom geared toward kids ages 4 to 6, is free but requires a special ticket with a specified time stamp. On the roof are a sky deck, herb garden, and seasonal coffee shop. This museum is huge, so expect to spend a minimum of 2 hours here, though you'll likely stay longer if you rent the audio guide (¥310), a must since English-language descriptions are disappointingly limited.
Tokyo› Attraction
National Museum of Nature and Science (Kokuritsu Kagaku Hakubutsukan)
Ueno Park, Taito-ku
Our Rating
Hours
Sun and Tues–Thurs 9am–5pm; Fri–Sat 9am–8pm.
Transportation
Station: Ueno (5 min.).
Phone
03/5777-8600
Prices
¥620 adults, free for children and seniors
Web site
National Museum of Nature and Science (Kokuritsu Kagaku Hakubutsukan)
Map
Ueno Park, Taito-ku TokyoNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.