Museum · Tachikawa

Polar Science Museum 国立極地研究所南極・北極科学館

Free museum of the National Institute of Polar Research covering Japan's Antarctic and Arctic expeditions, with real snowmobiles and ice cores.

Hours10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)

ClosedSundays, Mondays, national holidays, 3rd Tuesday, summer break, New Year holidays

PriceFree

Getting thereTakamatsu Station (Tama Monorail), 10 min

Time needed1 hour

Best timeSaturdays or weekday afternoons

Address10-3 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518

Websitenipr.ac.jp/science-museum

About

The museum displays equipment and specimens from Japan's polar research programme, including a snow vehicle used in Antarctica, meteorites and ice cores. An aurora theatre shows footage filmed at the poles. Admission is free; note the unusual Sunday and Monday closures.

Highlights

Snow vehicle used by Japanese Antarctic expeditions
Antarctic meteorites and ice cores you can touch
Aurora dome theatre
Mock-up of Japan's Showa Station in Antarctica

Tips

Closed Sundays and Mondays; Saturdays are the best weekend option
Showa Kinen Park is nearby for a full day in Tachikawa

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-10

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Polar Science Museum 国立極地研究所 南極・北極科学館

About

Highlights

Tips

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Polar Science Museum 国立極地研究所南極・北極科学館