The Polar Science Museum in Tachikawa is a unique experience for visitors looking to explore life in Antarctica. This museum showcases exhibits based on research conducted by the Japanese Survey Team at Showa Base Antarctica, allowing visitors to see firsthand what it’s like to live and work in this remote and challenging environment.
The museum features a wide range of exhibits, including Arctic equipment, meteors, and replicas of polar bear, penguins, and various bird species. There are also larger exhibits like a track snowmobile and sled from 1968, as well as photos documenting the team’s travels. Interactive stations allow visitors to view things under microscopes for a hands-on experience.
One of the highlights of the museum is the small projection room in the back where visitors can watch a 10-minute movie about the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights. A box near the entrance contains an actual chunk of ice from Antarctica collected by the survey team, allowing visitors to touch and feel it for an immersive experience.
Visiting this museum is free and only takes about an hour to see everything. It’s located at 10-3 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-0014 and is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Saturday, closed on Sundays and Mondays. Parking is free but limited, so using public transportation or a bike is recommended. Visitors should note that exhibits are in Japanese but Google Translate can help non-Japanese speakers. Additionally, phones are not allowed in the projection room for safety reasons.
For those interested in learning more about Japan’s polar research efforts, more information can be found on the National Institute of Polar Research’s website.
Overall, this museum offers a unique glimpse into life in one of Earth’s most extreme environments while also providing valuable insights into Japan’s polar research efforts.
