National Institute of Polar Research Antarctic and Arctic Science Museum

In short

The National Institute of Polar Research Antarctic and Arctic Science Museum is an exhibition facility of the National Institute of Polar Research, located north of Showa Kinen Park, and opened in 2010. It introduces observation and research activities conducted in the Antarctic and the Arctic through real materials and artifacts.

• ​Snow Vehicle That Traveled to the South Pole​​: A snow vehicle that traveled 5,200 kilometers round-trip from Showa Station to the South Pole, certified as a Mechanical Engineering Heritage.
• ​Antarctic Ice and Meteorites​​: Visitors can touch real Antarctic ice, and genuine meteorites and rocks are also on display.
• ​Aurora Theater​​: Projects images of auroras observed in the Antarctic and Arctic regions onto a 4-meter-diameter full-dome screen.

History and Highlights

The National Institute of Polar Research Antarctic and Arctic Science Museum is located north of Showa Kinen Park. It opened in 2010 as an exhibition facility of the National Institute of Polar Research situated on the same grounds. The institute belongs to the Research Organization of Information and Systems, an Inter-University Research Institute Corporation. The exhibition space is approximately 600 square meters.

In 1912, the explorer Shirase Nobu reached latitude 80 degrees 5 minutes south by dog sled. On November 8, 1956, the First Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition headed for Antarctica aboard the vessel Soya. The team landed on Ongul Island on January 29, 1957, and named the surrounding area "Showa Station." Starting with 11 people wintering over in four buildings, the station now features more than 60 buildings.

A notable highlight inside the museum is the snow vehicle used in the South Pole expedition project from 1968 to 1969. The 5,200-kilometer round trip between Showa Station and the South Pole took about five months. In 2014, it was certified as a Mechanical Engineering Heritage by the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Exhibits of polar wildlife include taxidermy specimens of Adélie penguins and emperor penguins. Outside, there are bronze statues of Sakhalin huskies. Originally located at the entrance of Tokyo Tower, these statues were donated by the Japan Animal Welfare Society in 2013.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Inside the Snow Vehicle​​: The snow vehicle is on permanent display exactly as it was during its active service. It has living space for a crew of four, and the beds and observation equipment remaining inside convey the atmosphere of the journeys of that era.
• ​Antarctic Ice and Meteorites​​: You can directly touch Antarctic ice chipped off and brought back by expedition members. Japan has discovered more than 17,000 meteorites in Antarctica, and the museum also displays meteorites from the Moon and Mars, which can be observed under a microscope.
• ​Aurora Theater​​: Shows full-color footage of auroras observed in the Antarctic and Arctic regions on a 4-meter-diameter full-dome screen. You can also view live video feeds from Showa Station alongside a diorama of the station.

Visiting Tips

The museum is a 10-minute walk from Takamatsu Station on the Tama Monorail. It is about a 25-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Tachikawa Station, or a 1-minute walk from the "Tachikawa Gakujutsu Plaza" bus stop if taking a bus. There are no stairs inside the building. Photography is permitted everywhere except inside the Aurora Theater. The drop-in guided exhibition tours last about 60 minutes per session. It is also nice to combine your visit with a walk to the nearby Showa Kinen Park or GREEN SPRINGS, located approximately 660 meters to the southwest.