2023.02.10
“Mirai-ra” Hamamatsu Science Museum
The Hamamatsu Science Museum, nicknamed “Mirai-ra”, has been used as a social education facility ever since it’s opening on May 1, 1986. Since then, it has been actively used by local elementary schools and is widely popular amongst neighboring cities and towns as well.
The facility underwent major refurbishments in July 2019, with the aim of strengthening sentiments of pride and attachment to the local community. Mirai-ra has permanent exhibits in 5 different zones, as well as a planetarium. From time to time, the museum staff demonstrate how interesting science is through interdisciplinary science shows and workshops.
Upon passing through the ticket barrier, you first reach the “Nature Zone”, where you can learn about local natural characteristics. Hamamatsu’s location allows it to enjoy a variety of natural environments, from the plains of the Minami Alps to the north, to Enshu with the open Pacific Ocean to the south; all while also including forests, lakes, caves, rivers, and strong coastlines. The Nature Zone is designed to help visitors learn about the richness of the region, showing a wide variety of plants growing and creatures that live and grow in each environment.
Next to the nature zone, you will find a “mini-workshop” space. Visitors can try hands-on workshops – trying various things including crafting simple creations that can be made with materials found at home, carrying out experiments, or even programming. Following this is the “Mirai-ra Stage” on the mezzanine floor in the center of the building, where various science shows are demonstrated on a daily basis. Visitors can see science experiments or workshops in action, thus making science seem that bit more interesting and accessible to them.
Top left, clockwise: Exterior, Nature Zone, Mirai-ra Stage and Science Show
Up on the second floor, you will be welcomed by four different zones – the “Power Zone,” “Sound Zone,” “Light Zone,” and “Space Zone.” As you may already be aware, Hamamatsu‘s main industries are in transportation equipment, musical instruments, and light technologies, all of which the city is excelling in. In these four zones, visitors can experience a variety of scientific facts and see technology which is used in each of the various industries through unique, hands-on booths, donated by world famous companies based in Hamamatsu.
Displays on the second floor, all donated by companies which best represent Hamamatsu.
Finally, up on the third floor, you will reach the planetarium. The planetarium is equipped with optical equipment that shows constellations, which can be seen from the ground, as well as a digital planetarium that shows the universe beyond the earth. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of a starry sky, as well as features from the dynamic electronic performance, all from their seats. Staff provide live commentary to help visitors learn about the universe in an enjoyable way.
Planetarium
Hamamatsu’s unique natural environment, people and culture have produced a variety of industries in the four fields of power, sound, light, and space. By touring the Science Museum, you can learn more about how present-day Hamamatsu came to be. Learning about the natural environment, science, and technology, and then combining that knowledge together may just lead you to find even more interesting matters, be it cutting-edge science or natural phenomena!
Many discoveries and technologies were made after repetitive trial and error, through questions that arose from people’s interest in various matters. We hope that every experience at the Hamamatsu Science Museum will nurture the future creative minds and talents of those who will be taking up the challenge of answering such questions.
Please click here to visit its website:https://www.mirai-ra.jp/
