Nagoya City Science Museum

Nagoya City Science Museum is located within Shirakawa Park in Naka Ward, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It is one of Japan’s leading science museums and a renowned center for science education. The museum was established in 1962, originally opening as a planetarium. Over the following decades, additional buildings dedicated to science and engineering as well as life sciences were added, and in 1989 they were integrated into a comprehensive science museum. Following a major renovation completed in 2011, the museum reopened with modern exhibition spaces and a world-class planetarium.

The museum’s most famous attraction is Brother Earth, one of the world’s largest spherical planetariums. Measuring 35 meters in diameter and accommodating approximately 350 visitors, the enormous dome features a high-precision star projection system capable of recreating the night sky from the past, present, or even the future. It can also simulate the skies of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres as well as immersive journeys through space. Comfortable reclining seats, combined with panoramic visuals and surround sound, create an experience that makes visitors feel as though they are traveling through the vast universe, making it one of Nagoya’s most popular attractions.

Beyond the planetarium, the museum features extensive galleries dedicated to science and engineering, life sciences, and the natural world. Through a wide variety of interactive exhibits and hands-on scientific demonstrations, visitors can explore subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, and environmental conservation. The museum also regularly updates its exhibitions and hosts monthly themed displays, ensuring that each visit offers new opportunities for discovery and learning.

The museum’s architecture also reflects a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The building incorporates solar power generation systems, green roofs, and vegetated walls to reduce its environmental impact. In addition, portions of its earthquake-resistant structural system and mechanical equipment are intentionally left visible, allowing the building itself to serve as an educational exhibit. This design philosophy demonstrates how science, environmental responsibility, and everyday life can be seamlessly integrated into a single architectural space.