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Considering science and industry's rather murky environmental record in Japan, you may be pleasantly surprised to find a Green theme running through much of this museum of future technology. Right round the corner from the ticket counter is a Japanese wooden townhouse, showing the environmental benefits of traditional house-building. Other eco-friendly science on show includes a zero-emission automobile and displays on fuel-cell technology. Let's hope it becomes science fact rather than just science fiction.
There is more than enough to keep you (or any children you happen to bring along) busy for a whole day in this beautifully housed and expertly presented museum. The personal cinemas in the library section alone have more than 600 science videos. Friendly volunteers stand by to explain the weird gizmos and to help with the interactive exhibits. One of the many fun displays is a physical model of the internet constructed from steel rails and black and white balls. You might even bump into Honda's Asimo robot taking a stroll among the exhibits. The building itself is a spectacular example of modern Tokyo architecture. Suspended from the high ceiling of the main hall is a large spherical display screen made from a million LEDs. The museum has a restaurant and a cafe serving drinks and snack food. Like the other parts of the museum, the cafe has a few neat little touches: tables of three different heights, massage chairs and a small library of science books to browse. One of the best things about the museum is that it doesn't just devote itself to the more eye-catching kinds of science, it makes the science behind even everyday objects interesting and accessible. We were positively mesmerized by a video display on the recycling of disposable cameras. You'll begin to wonder how anyone could ever find science boring. by Tony McNicol |
Miraikan
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