Miraikan – Emerging Science Museum
The Emerging Science Museum or Miraikan as it is better know is a fascinating high tech showcase of Japan’s lead in science and technology. There are a wealth of interesting exhibitions including cutting edge medicine, robotics and transportation including many hands on displays which will keep visitors fascinated for hours.
The interactive and bilingual science museum Miraiken opened in 2001 in a high tech steel and glass seven level building which is quite a spectacular artwork in it’s self. One of the most spectacular items is a giant geo cosmos globe of the earth that is made of what looks like a spherical video display, it is truly amazing. The centre is more than a museum it is a museum it is a working science laboratory that works on several technological developments.
Robotics make up a large portion of the exhibition, there is a monstrous underwater robotic submarine on show, with high tech features. A favorite is the ASIMO robot which was one of the first humanoid like robot which was built by Honda. Asimo is being trained and hoped he will be able to give guided tours of the centre in future years. Mesci is another robot who is able to interact with people and is a real crowd pleaser.
Space exploration is featured with models of satellite’s and a full size model section of the international space centre, where you can walk through and gain an insight into life in space. There is also some virtual reality rides where you can learn more about space or some of the amazing medical research that is being done.
The medical section deals with robots that can perform amazing non invasive medical procedures and a lot of information on nano technology which it is hoped will be used in medicine in years to come. There are several interactive and video displays which explain future medial research.
The Linimo Maglev train is also explained, this magnetic powered super train reaches speeds of over 316 km per hour, already there are some being tested in Japan. The display goes into great detail on how the system works and there is an amazing model where you can watch the train float above the track.
The centre has a large hands on area, where people are given a credit card type device, where they enter some information about themselves, this then starts many of the video and interactive displays it is quite a novel and fun system. In the centre of this display is a huge tube system filled with black and white balls which move around this huge maze, the object of the exercise is to show how the internet works, Most people, don’t get it but it is fascinating to watch.
Official Miraiken Website
http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/
