Tamarokuto Science Center

In short

Tamarokuto Science Center is a hands-on science museum located in Nishitokyo City, Tokyo. It is jointly operated by five cities: Kodaira, Higashimurayama, Kiyose, Higashikurume, and Nishitokyo. It is known for its planetarium in the "Science Egg"—one of the world's largest tilted domes—and its five exhibition rooms.

• ​Science Egg​​: Projects over 140 million stars onto a 27.5-meter-diameter dome.
• ​Projector Certified as the World's Best​​: In 2012, the "CHIRONⅡ" projector was certified as the world's best planetarium projector.
• ​Five Exhibition Rooms​​: Visitors can enjoy observation, experiments, and crafts across the themes of Challenge, Body, Mechanism, Nature, and Earth.

History and Highlights

Tamarokuto Science Center opened on March 1, 1994. Its origins date back to January 1987, when a consultative council was established by six cities in northern Tama. Planning the construction of a children's science museum, the six cities decided on joint establishment with financial support from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The name "Tamarokuto" was chosen through a public contest in March 1993 as a nickname for this region. In January 2001, Tanashi City and Hoya City merged to form Nishitokyo City, bringing the number of participating cities to five. However, because the nickname had already become well established, the name "Tamarokuto" remains in use today.

The centerpiece is the planetarium dome, the "Science Egg." With a diameter of 27.5 meters, it is one of the world's largest tilted domes. Visitors are completely enveloped by starry skies and visuals from foot to ceiling. The "CHIRONⅡ" optical projector casts more than 140 million stars. Following a renewal of the planetarium in July 2012, this projector was certified as the world's best in October of the same year.

Tips for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Enjoy live commentary under the starry sky​​: Astronomy group staff provide live explanations in the planetarium, guiding you through the night sky visible in Tokyo on that very day. The different background music and storytelling styles of each presenter are also part of the appeal.
• ​Explore the five exhibition rooms​​: In the Challenge Room, investigate the properties of light, elements, and motion. In the Body Room, take on sensory games and puzzles; in the Mechanism Room, discover the mechanisms hidden in everyday life. In the Nature Room, encounter insect specimens, taxidermied animals, and river fish. In the Earth Room, observe fossils and rocks.
• ​Try the outdoor exhibits​​: Check out the "Ear Telescope," which allows you to hear whispers from 30 meters away without any electricity, and the "Time Tunnel," which traces evolution from ancient organisms to humans. You can also observe the grove on the grounds from atop a wooden observation platform.

Visiting Tips

The center is located along the Shin-Ome Kaido Avenue at the base of Sky Tower Nishi-Tokyo. It is an 18-minute walk from the North Exit of Hana-Koganei Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. From the North Exit of Hana-Koganei Station or the North Exit of Tanashi Station, you can also take the "Hana Bus" directly to "Tamarokuto Science Center."

Touring just the exhibition rooms takes about two hours. If you plan to watch the planetarium show or large-screen films as well, be sure to budget extra time.

In the Challenge Room, a full-scale model of the Space Shuttle and the "Moonwalker" ride, which lets you experience lunar gravity, are popular highlights.