Science & tech museums
National Museum of Nature and Science
国立科学博物館
Ueno · near Ueno Station (JR Park Exit) / Keisei Ueno (5 min walk)
Japan's flagship natural-history and science museum in Ueno Park, with the Japan Gallery and Global Gallery covering dinosaurs, evolution, space and technology, plus frequent hands-on events for children.
Why children love it: Towering dinosaur and whale skeletons, a stuffed record of the loyal dog Hachiko, and the wrap-around Theater 36○ dome.
National Museum of Nature and Science
- Best for
- Toddlers (2–4), Primary (5–11), Teens (12–17), Adults
- Time to allow
- 3h
- Opening hours
- 09:00–17:00; Fri & Sat until 20:00 (last admission 30 min before close); extended in some holiday periods
- Price
- Permanent exhibition: adults 630 yen; free for elementary, junior-high and high-school students. Special exhibitions priced separately.
- Booking
- Usually walk-in
- Indoor / weather
- indoor · rainy-day ok
- Confidence
- Well-corroborated
Editor’s note: Free admission for all school-age children (through high school) to the permanent exhibition makes this excellent value for families.