Tsukuba Center Inc.

This is a place that can inspire the young generation. I am amazed by the visit. Anyone who is interested in what is going on in space exploration and how space explorers live and work needs to visit the center from the Japanese side.

I went there to find out that even though you don't have a guided tour, you can still visit, see and understand the contents as it is written in English as well. The space dome is a place where you will be spending your time. The rocket shown outside didn't seem to attract me much except for photograph. Satellites and International Space Station models or real objects were fascinating to have a look. You can take photographs. Documentary keeps on rolling at the side inside the space dome. Except these places, there is a small house behind the space dome which serves as a planet station as well as a goodies shop. Not much of variety in materials though. But is enough for someone to buy a souvenir. I didn't find a place to sit and eat though. :D I had to go outside in a park for that. And there are really no marts in sight. Might be I didn't look around much. But there are a few vending machines inside the reception area serving drinks. There are resting spaces inside the area as well where you can quietly sit, read or use your laptop.

The Tsukuda Space Center, located in Tsukuba, Japan, is a fascinating destination for kids and adults alike. With a wide range of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, the center offers a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of space. One of the most popular attractions at the Tsukuda Space Center is the planetarium. The dome-shaped theater provides a stunning visual experience, with shows that take visitors on a journey through the solar system and beyond. Kids will be captivated by the realistic simulations of stars, planets, and galaxies. Another highlight of the center is the Space Exhibition Hall. Here, visitors can explore a variety of exhibits related to space exploration, including rockets, satellites, and space suits. Kids will be amazed by the scale of some of the exhibits and the intricate details of the spacecraft. For those who are interested in hands-on activities, the Tsukuda Space Center offers a variety of workshops and experiments. Kids can learn about the principles of rocket propulsion, build their own mini-rockets, and even experience the sensation of weightlessness in a simulated space environment. The center also has a dedicated children's area, where young visitors can explore space-themed toys and games. There is also a playground where kids can let off some steam after a day of exploring the exhibits. In addition to the permanent exhibits and activities, the Tsukuda Space Center also hosts special events throughout the year. These events may include planetarium shows, workshops, and lectures by astronauts or other experts in the field of space exploration. Overall, the Tsukuda Space Center is a fantastic destination for families with kids who are interested in science and space. With its wide range of interactive exhibits and activities, the center offers a fun and educational experience for visitors of all ages.

Great small space museum with free admission focussed on JAXA. Highlights include: a full-scale walk-in model of the ISS module Kibō, a replica of Kounotori HTV, Hayabusa, and a mock-up H-II outside.

Great place for space enthusiast to visit. Real size models of almost all major space endeavors by JAXA are here for display. I have seen documentaries about international space station and Japanese experiment module 'kibo' so many times before however looking at real size model gave completely different perspective. Other exhibits like hayabusa spacecraft and some of the geostationary satellites are also there. These are mostly engineering models so one can see very minute details like connectors and other structural elements which they used on actual spacecrafts. There is no entry fee. However due to covid situation one has to book a slot before visiting the exhibit.