Ueno

Japan’s National Science Museum first opened in 19XX and in the years since has been charged with taking the world of science to the populace at large. Ever in a state of upgrade, the museum is an eclectic mix of biological and chemical based aspects of science. Physics is not forgotten, and neither is astronomy as this gem of a museum works hard to bring together so much from so many scientific disciplines under one lone roof – or, given the recent expansion, several roofs. The dinosaur and space related halls in the large new building behind the main structure are particularly popular as is the life-size blue whale and former working steam locomotive out front, not to mention he ‘hands-on’ rooms aimed at teaching kids the basics of science and technology – or at the very least, to make them go away asking ‘why?’

For those into statues, Hideyo Noguchi (1876-1928), or both, a statue of the world renowned bacteriologist who actually made his name in the Americas, Europe and Africa, can be seen in the trees outside the front entrance.

Access: Ueno (JR & subway lines)

Fee: 600 yen – further charges apply for special exhibitions

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Thursday 09:00 – 17:00 / Friday 09:00 – 20:00 / Saturday & Sunday – 09:00 - 18:00

The 25 rooms of the Tokyo National Museum, opened 1937, if truth be told, are worth a visit any day of the week, any week of the year. By far the best museum in the city in which to sample Japan and Japanese culture as it was, in spacious, well managed surroundings with thousands of well presented exhibits, no visit to the capital of Japan would be complete without at least a couple of hours in the National Museum viewing the displayed items from a close on 90,000 strong collection. Rotations do regularly take place making repeat visits well worth considering for those in town longer than the usual day or two, and special exhibitions (fees apply) are held throughout the year.

Access: Ueno Station (JR & subway lines)

Fee: 600 yen – further charges apply for special exhibitions

Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 09:30 - 17:00