11 science museums and museums in Kanto outside Tokyo
- Two museums offer free admission, and four others are free for high school or junior high students and younger.
- Closed days divide between Monday and Tuesday museums, with the Railway Museum charging ¥1,600 for adults and closing on Tuesdays.
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For people looking for science museums and museums where children can spend a rainy day indoors in Kanto outside Tokyo, this page compares 11 museums in Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa and Gunma by admission, closed days, access from the station and parking. 2 museums are free, and 4 more are free for high school students and younger or junior high school students and younger, so the difference grows with the size of your family. Closed days split between Monday museums and Tuesday museums, so you can choose by the day you are going. Science museums in Tokyo are covered in the article on rainy-day science museums and aquariums in Tokyo (Japanese).
In short
- Free admission: JAXA Tsukuba Space Center and the Science Museum of Map and Survey, both in Tsukuba.
- Free for high school students and younger: Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama (adults ¥500).
- Highest price: the Railway Museum, ¥1,600 on the day (¥1,500 if bought the day before).
- Open latest: Chiba City Science Museum, with exhibits open until 19:00.
Checked with official pages on November 1, 2026 (Japan time). Prices and hours may change.
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1. Comparing 11 museums by admission, closed days and access
JAXA Tsukuba Space Center and the Science Museum of Map and Survey are free, and both are in Tsukuba City. The prices in the table are for 1 adult on the day, and some museums charge more during special exhibitions.
| Museum | Access from the station | Admission (adult) | Children | Closed days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsukuba Space Center | Bus from Tsukuba Station to “Busshitsu Zairyo Kenkyu Kiko”, 1 min on foot | Free | Free | Irregular |
| Science Museum of Map and Survey | From Kenkyu-Gakuen Station by the Tsukuba Bus (Yoshinuma Shuttle) | Free | Free | Monday |
| Tsukuba Expo Center | 5 min on foot from Exit A2 of Tsukuba Station | ¥600 | ¥300 (age 4 and over) | Monday (Monday and Tuesday in Dec and Jan) |
| Ibaraki Nature Museum | About 30 min by bus from Moriya + about 10 min on foot | ¥850 (during special exhibitions) | ¥170 (elementary and junior high) | Check the opening calendar |
| Railway Museum | 1 min on foot from Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station on the New Shuttle | ¥1,600 | ¥600 (elementary to high school) | Tuesday |
| Saitama Prefectural River Museum | 20 min on foot from Hachigata on the Tobu Tojo Line | ¥410 | Free up to junior high | Monday |
| Chiba City Science Museum | 5 min on foot from Yoshikawakoen on the Chiba Urban Monorail | ¥600 | ¥100 (elementary and junior high) | Irregular |
| Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History | From Iryuda Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway (check the official access guide) | ¥520 | Free up to junior high | Monday and more |
| Cup Noodles Museum | 8 min on foot from Minatomirai and Bashamichi | ¥500 | Free up to high school | Tuesday |
| Hara Model Railway Museum | 5 min on foot from the east exit of Yokohama Station | ¥1,500 | ¥750 (age 4 and over) | Tuesday, Wednesday |
| Gunma Museum of Natural History | About 10 min by taxi from Joshu-Tomioka | ¥1,300 (during special exhibitions) | Free up to junior high | Monday |
2. Things to know when choosing in Kanto
Tsukuba City has Tsukuba Space Center, the Science Museum of Map and Survey and Tsukuba Expo Center close together. On weekends and holidays the “Tsukuba Science Tour Bus” runs from Tsukuba Center around the research institutes.
Closed days split into Monday museums (the Science Museum of Map and Survey, the River Museum, the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, the Gunma Museum of Natural History and Tsukuba Expo Center), Tuesday museums (the Railway Museum and Cup Noodles Museum) and a Tuesday-and-Wednesday museum (Hara Model Railway Museum).
Some museums charge more during special exhibitions. The Gunma Museum of Natural History is ¥1,300 for adults until December 6, and the Ibaraki Nature Museum is ¥850 for adults until February 7, 2027.
Children’s admission is free at Cup Noodles Museum (high school students and younger) and at the River Museum, the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History and the Gunma Museum of Natural History (junior high school students and younger).
3. JAXA Tsukuba Space Center
The exhibition hall needs no reservation and is free; only the guided tour is by reservation. Entry to the exhibition hall is free, and you can see it without a reservation on weekdays and holidays except closed days. Only the guided tour of the facilities requires advance booking, and people aged 18 and over (except high school students) pay.
From Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express, take a Kanto Railway bus bound for “Arakawaoki Station” and get off at “Busshitsu Zairyo Kenkyu Kiko”, then walk 1 minute. By highway bus from Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit, get off at “Namiki 1-chome” and walk 1 minute. The visitors’ lot has 50 spaces.
Sources checked: the guide page on the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center visitor site and its access page (Japanese).
| Name | JAXA Tsukuba Space Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki |
| Hours / Closed | 10:00–17:00 (tour reception 9:30–16:30). Irregular holidays, closed December 29–January 3 (check opening calendar) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
4. Science Museum of Map and Survey
This is the science museum of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, and admission is free. Groups of 15 or more need to apply by 1 week before.
You can go by the Tsukuba Bus Yoshinuma Shuttle from Kenkyu-Gakuen Station on the Tsukuba Express. On weekends and holidays, the Tsukuba Science Tour Bus also runs from Tsukuba Center. There is free parking.
Source checked: visitor guide on the official Science Museum of Map and Survey site (Japanese).
| Name | Science Museum of Map and Survey |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Kitago, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki |
| Hours / Closed | 9:30–16:30 (admission reception until 16:00). Closed Mondays (the following day if a holiday), December 28–January 3 |
| Phone | 029-864-1872 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
5. Tsukuba Expo Center
In December and January it is closed on both Monday and Tuesday, so watch the day of the week when you go in winter. Admission is ¥600 for adults (18 and over) and ¥300 for children (age 4 and over), and free for ages 3 and under. The planetarium costs extra for each program: ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for children. Payment is by cash only.
It is a 5-minute walk from Exit A2 of Tsukuba Station on the Tsukuba Express, about 45 minutes from Akihabara. Parking has about 60 spaces, and is free on weekdays in principle for ordinary cars and ¥500 per visit on weekends, holidays and school spring and winter breaks. The museum announces that parking operation and fees change from February 1, 2027.
Sources checked: admission and parking page on the official Tsukuba Expo Center site and its opening information page (Japanese).
| Name | Tsukuba Expo Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-9 Azuma, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki |
| Hours / Closed | 9:50–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Weekdays in December (except December 25) until 16:00. Closed Mondays (the following weekday if a holiday), Mondays and Tuesdays in December and January, December 29, 2026–January 3, 2027 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
6. Museum Park Ibaraki Nature Museum
Parking is free with room for 1,000 cars, and the outdoor facilities are covered by the same ticket. The combined ticket for the main building and the outdoor facilities is ¥850 for adults, ¥520 for high school students, ¥170 for elementary and junior high school students and ¥420 for people 70 and over during special exhibitions. When there is no special exhibition it is ¥610 for adults and ¥110 for elementary and junior high school students. From October 24, 2026 to February 7, 2027 the special exhibition “Secrets of the Birth of the Japanese Archipelago” is on.
From the west exit of Moriya Station on the Tsukuba Express, take a Kanto Railway bus bound for “Iwai Bus Terminal” for about 30 minutes, get off at “Shizen Hakubutsukan Iriguchi” and walk about 10 minutes (3 to 4 buses a day). On weekends and holidays, 3 buses a day go all the way to the museum. Parking is free, with 1,000 spaces for cars.
Sources checked: admission and annual pass page on the official Ibaraki Nature Museum site and its access page (Japanese).
| Name | Museum Park Ibaraki Nature Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 700 Osaki, Bando City, Ibaraki |
| Hours / Closed | 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Check opening calendar for closed days |
| Phone | 0297-38-2000 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
7. The Railway Museum
Buying the day before makes it ¥100 cheaper per person than on the day. Admission on the day is ¥1,600 for adults, ¥600 for elementary to high school students and ¥300 for infants (preschool children aged 3 and over). Bought by the day before online on the official site or at a convenience store, it is ¥1,500 for adults, ¥500 for elementary to high school students and ¥200 for infants. Same-day tickets are sold from 10:00 at the museum’s ticket machines.
Take the New Shuttle from JR Omiya Station and get off at Tetsudo-Hakubutsukan Station, then walk 1 minute. Parking for ordinary cars is ¥1,000 a day, and the official site asks visitors to use public transport because the lot can be full on holidays.
Sources checked: visitor information on the official Railway Museum site and the access page on the official site (Japanese).
| Name | The Railway Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-47 Onaricho, Omiya Ward, Saitama City, Saitama |
| Hours / Closed | 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed Tuesdays and New Year holidays (check opening calendar) |
| Phone | 048-651-0088 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
8. Saitama Prefectural River Museum
Admission is ¥410 for adults and ¥200 for students, and free for junior high school students and younger. The outdoor “Arakawa Waku Waku Land” and the Adventure Theater cost extra.
It is a 20-minute walk from Hachigata Station on the Tobu Tojo Line and others, or 7 minutes by taxi from Yorii Station. Parking for ordinary cars is ¥300.
Sources checked: visitor guide on the official Saitama River Museum site and the access page on the official site (Japanese).
| Name | Saitama Prefectural River Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 39 Kozono, Yorii Town, Osato District, Saitama |
| Hours / Closed | 9:00–17:00 (last entry 30 min before closing). Closed Mondays (open on holidays, substitute holidays, Prefectural Citizens' Day, and July–August), December 29–January 3 |
| Phone | 048-581-7333 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
9. Chiba City Science Museum
The exhibits stay open until 19:00, the latest of the 11. The permanent exhibition is ¥600 for adults, ¥300 for high school students and ¥100 for elementary and junior high school students. The set ticket for the permanent exhibition and the planetarium is ¥1,000 for adults, ¥490 for high school students and ¥160 for elementary and junior high school students. On Chiba City Citizens’ Day (October 18) and the nearest weekend it is free.
It is a 5-minute walk from Yoshikawakoen Station on the Chiba Urban Monorail, and from JR Chiba Station east exit you take a bus to “Chuo 3-chome”, right in front. For parking you use the paid lot of the Qiball complex (250 spaces). The exhibits are open until 19:00, so you can go in from the late afternoon.
Source checked: basic information page on the official Chiba City Science Museum site (Japanese).
| Name | Chiba City Science Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-5-1 Chuo, Chuo Ward, Chiba City, Chiba (Qiball, floors 7 to 10) |
| Hours / Closed | Exhibition area 9:00–19:00, planetarium 9:00–20:00 (last entry 30 min before closing). Irregular holidays (check closing calendar) |
| Phone | 043-308-0511 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
10. Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History
Admission to the permanent exhibition is ¥520 for people aged 20 to under 65, ¥300 for people aged 15 to under 20 and students, ¥100 for high school students and people 65 and over, and free for junior high school students and younger. Special exhibitions cost extra.
The nearest station is Iryuda Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway, and by bus you get off at “Iryuda” on a Hakone Tozan Bus or Izu Hakone Bus and walk 3 to 5 minutes. From December to February the museum is closed for building maintenance on Tuesdays as well as Mondays, so check the day if you stop by on the way back from a Hakone trip.
Sources checked: basic information page on the official museum site and its access page (Japanese).
| Name | Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History |
|---|---|
| Address | 499 Iryuda, Odawara City, Kanagawa |
| Hours / Closed | 9:00–16:30 (last entry 16:00). Closed Mondays (the following weekday if a holiday or substitute holiday), facility maintenance days (in principle the 2nd Tuesday of each month except August; Tuesdays in December, January, and February), New Year holidays |
| Phone | 0465-21-1515 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
11. Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama
Admission is ¥500 for adults (university students and older), and free for high school students and younger. The “My Cup Noodles Factory”, where you make your own Cup Noodles, is ¥500 per cup, and the “Chikin Ramen Factory”, where you make Chikin Ramen by hand, is ¥600 for elementary school children and ¥1,200 for junior high school students and older. Both cost extra on top of admission.
It is an 8-minute walk from Minatomirai Station or Bashamichi Station on the Minatomirai Line, and 12 minutes on foot from Sakuragicho Station on the JR and subway lines. Parking has 40 spaces, free for the first hour if you show your admission ticket, then ¥250 per 30 minutes.
Sources checked: hours and prices page on the official Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama site and the access page (Japanese).
Photo source: Cup Noodles Museum @ Yokohama (9052323677).jpg (by Guilhem Vellut, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 2.0
| Name | Cup Noodles Museum Yokohama |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-3-4 Shinko, Naka Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa |
| Hours / Closed | 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00). Closed Tuesdays (the following day if a holiday), New Year holidays |
| Phone | 045-345-0918 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
12. Hara Model Railway Museum
Admission is ¥1,500 for adults, ¥1,000 for junior high and high school students and ¥750 for children (age 4 and over). Entry is by timed ticket, bought on e+ (eplus) or at the Multi-copy machines at FamilyMart. After entering there is no time limit until closing.
It is on the 2nd floor of the Yokohama Mitsui Building, a 5-minute walk from the east exit of Yokohama Station on JR and other lines, and a 3-minute walk from Exit 2 of Shin-Takashima Station on the Minatomirai Line.
Source checked: opening information and access page on the official Hara Model Railway Museum site (Japanese).
Photo source: 2014-04-29 Hara Model Railway Museum.jpg (by ume-y, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 2.0
| Name | Hara Model Railway Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-1-2 Takashima, Nishi Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa (Yokohama Mitsui Building, 2nd floor) |
| Hours / Closed | 10:00–17:00 (ticket sales end 16:00, last entry 16:30). Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays (open if a holiday and closed the following business day), New Year holidays, early February |
| Phone | 045-640-6699 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
13. Gunma Museum of Natural History
Admission is ¥1,300 for adults and ¥600 for university, technical college and high school students during special exhibitions (September 19 to December 6 in 2026), and ¥510 for adults and ¥300 for university, technical college and high school students when there is no special exhibition. Junior high school students and younger are always free.
It is about 10 minutes by taxi from Joshu-Tomioka Station on the Joshin Dentetsu line, or about 25 minutes on foot from Joshu-Nanokaichi Station. There are several free parking lots, and temporary lots are available in busy periods.
Sources checked: visitor guide on the official Gunma Museum of Natural History site and the access page on the official site (Japanese).
Photo source: Gunma Museum of Natural History 01.jpg (by Nobohoshokorotoso, Wikimedia Commons), CC BY 4.0
| Name | Gunma Museum of Natural History |
|---|---|
| Address | 1674-1 Kamikuroiwa, Tomioka City, Gunma |
| Hours / Closed | 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed Mondays (the following day if a holiday), New Year holidays |
| Phone | 0274-60-1200 |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
14. Choosing by purpose
To spend the day without spending money, choose Tsukuba Space Center and the Science Museum of Map and Survey in Tsukuba.
To go with a child who likes trains, choose the Railway Museum or Hara Model Railway Museum.
To combine it with sightseeing in Yokohama, choose Cup Noodles Museum (free up to high school).
To go from the late afternoon, choose Chiba City Science Museum, whose exhibits are open until 19:00.
To drive and see dinosaurs and fossils, choose the Gunma Museum of Natural History or the Ibaraki Nature Museum.
Common questions
Do any of the museums need a reservation?
At Hara Model Railway Museum you buy a timed ticket first. At Tsukuba Space Center only the guided tour is by reservation. From the official pages, the other museums can be entered on the day.
Isn’t the Hamagin Kodomo Uchu Kagakukan (Yokohama) listed?
It is not listed because its official site has been under emergency maintenance since October 22, 2026, and its prices and opening days could not be confirmed.
Official information checked: November 1, 2026 (Japan time). Prices and hours may change.
Sources
12 pages we checked
Checked with official pages on November 1, 2026 (Japan time).
