The Sapporo Science Museum for Youth, located in Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo, will finally reopen in April 2024! Approximately 70% of the exhibits have been renewed, and the number of hands-on exhibits that allow visitors to learn while having fun has increased. What kind of excitement awaits you? Here is an introduction to the experiences and exhibits you may be interested in, highlights of each floor, and detailed information such as operating hours.

The Sapporo Science Museum for Youth opened in Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo in October 1981. The museum has been popular among elementary and junior high school students and people of all ages as a facility where they can learn about science in a fun and hands-on way. The planetarium, one of the most popular facilities, was renovated on April 13, 2016. The latest optical planetarium has been installed to faithfully reproduce approximately 100 million stars. On the other hand, due to the aging of the exhibits, the museum has been closed since 2022 for renovation work, and will finally reopen on April 1, 2024.

Planetarium

Entering the main entrance, the popular planetarium is located next to the reception desk. The planetarium was a 40-minute program in the Corona disaster, but since its reopening in April 2024, it will be a 50-minute program each time as before the Corona (some programs for young children are 30-minute programs). The planetarium will be reopened in April 2024 with 50-minute programs (some programs for young children will be 30 minutes). A craft room is also located on the same floor, where craft classes for elementary and junior high school students are held on Sundays and holidays.

Workshop

Gaia Town" on the 2nd floor, where many exhibits have been renewed, is largely divided into "Snow and Ice Area," "Environment and Weather Area," and "Astronomy and Earth Science Area. Visitors can learn about the science of the northern region systematically by following the "Science Street" that gently connects the themes.

Snow and Ice Area

The Snow and Ice Area is an area where visitors can learn about snow and ice, natural phenomena that are deeply rooted in the daily life of Sapporo. The beauty and diversity of snow crystals and the unique characteristics of a city with a large snowfall are introduced, as well as other fascinating aspects of snow and ice that can only be learned about in a northern country. The highlight of the exhibition is the "Low Temperature Playground," where visitors can experience a world of minus 30 degrees Celsius. Visitors can experience a world where even wet towels freeze. The renewal of the facility also allows visitors to experience the operation of winter sports such as "curling" and "skeleton," which is expected to be popular among children.

Snow Dome Theater" where visitors can enjoy beautiful images of snow and ice

Low Temperature Playground" to experience the world of minus 30 degrees Celsius

Crispy frozen shirts and towels inside

When you hold it, the towel is crispy!

You can also see what's going on inside from the warm outside

Curling experience using actual brushes

Skeleton experience where you run through the course by shifting your body's center of gravity

Other exhibits in the snow and ice area

Environment and Weather Area

The Environment and Weather Area is an area where visitors can learn about the weather and climate of Sapporo, Hokkaido. Focusing on winter, which is unique to Sapporo, visitors can learn about various weather phenomena in a fun way.

Visitors can learn about landforms in the exhibition area.

Visitors can try making landforms by actually touching the sand.

In an exhibit where you can actually make selections as the story progresses

Astronomy and Earth Science Area

In the Astronomy and Earth Science Area, visitors are greeted by the large Earth Dome, which has been there since before the renovation. Visitors can learn about everything from the birth of the universe to the formation of Hokkaido as they walk around the Earth Dome.

The symbolic Earth Dome is approximately 20 meters in diameter

The planetary model is about 1/70 millionth the size of the actual planet

Discovery Corner

In the Discovery Corner, visitors can see the excavation site of the Nipponosaurus, the first dinosaur studied by the Japanese, and a replica of its skull, as well as an actual ammonite exhibit.

Like the 2nd floor, the entire floor of "Technology Town" on the 3rd floor has undergone a major renovation and is divided into the "Science Park," "Body Adventure," "Sapporo Backstage," and "Science Show Corner. A kids' space and nursing room are located near the restrooms and break area, so parents with infants and toddlers are also welcome.

Science Park

The Science Park is an area where visitors can feel and experience various scientific phenomena close at hand. Even young children can enjoy learning about the wonders of science by experiencing the power of air and observing strange images through distorted mirrors.

Fluffy Air Bazooka" - knocking down targets with an air cannon

GUNIGUNU MIRROR" to experience the mysterious world with various mirrors

Power Forest" has been popular since before the renovation

Lots of experiences for young children to enjoy!

Body Adventure

Body Adventure is an area where visitors can learn about the human body using all five senses. Visitors can learn about the inner workings of the human body, which are usually difficult to notice, from a scientific perspective in an easy-to-understand way.

The mouth gate is impressive in the "Food Journey" area.

Going through the body from the viewpoint of food

Along the way, there are explanations about how the body works

There are places where you can actually touch and experience things.

What does the inside of your body look like? The "Sukesuke Body Dance."

When you actually raise your hand, the bones go together like this.

There is also a corner where you can learn about the blood system

Sapporo Backstage

The Sapporo Backstage exhibits the actual subway Tozai Line that used to run through the streets of Sapporo, as well as a small rotary snowplow. With this renewal, visitors can experience a simulated driving experience while watching a monitor, and it is expected to become a popular exhibit.

Subway Tozai Line cars are the first in Japan to use full-scale rubber tires

Newly introduced in the renovation is a simulated subway driving experience

The driver's seat is a realistic version of the real thing.

Of course, you can ride on the snowplow that was actually used.

Introduction to the redevelopment of the BiVi Shin Sapporo complex, which has become a hot topic with the opening of the new facility.

Naname's room

The "taname room" has been popular since before the renovation. The floor is tilted while the pillars and walls are installed vertically, creating a discrepancy between the sense of sight and the sense of equilibrium, allowing visitors to experience a strange sensation.

"Angled Room" where only the floor is tilted 15 degrees

Science Show Corner

The "Science Show," a science experiment show that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, is a 15-minute program that is held on weekdays, weekends, and holidays. The contents change periodically.

Sunday Experiment Room

Sunday Laboratory is a science experiment class for elementary and junior high school students held every Sunday and national holiday. Students can try out mysterious experiments using laboratory equipment that they are not usually exposed to.

Hours of operation

October through April: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
May-September: 9:00-17:00
Admission until 30 minutes before closing

Closed

Mondays / Last Tuesday of each month / Day following a national holiday / Day following the last day of a special exhibition / Year-end and New Year holidays (December 27 - January 4)

Admission Fee

Junior high school students and younger: Free
Admission is free for junior high school students and younger.
Adults: 700 yen for the exhibition room / 500 yen for the planetarium / 1,000 yen for a set ticket (exhibition room and planetarium)
Annual Passport: Exhibition Gallery: 2,000 yen / Planetarium: 2,500 yen
Coupon tickets (5-pack): Exhibition Gallery: 3,150 yen / Planetarium: 2,250 yen
Group discounts are available for groups of 30 or more adults.

Planetarium and Demonstration Schedule

Planetarium (capacity of 200 people per show, approx. 50 minutes; some programs are 30 minutes)
Weekdays from May to September: 9:10 (*1) / 10:25 (*2) / 11:40 (*2) / 13:00 / 14:15 / 15:30
Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and special exhibition periods from May to September: 9:40 / 10:50 / 12:00 / 13:15 / 14:30 / 15:45
October through April: 10:15 (*1) / 11:30 (*2) / 12:45 (*2) / 14:00 / 15:15
(*1: Group-only times *2: Group-priority times)

Science Show (15 min.)
Weekdays, weekends and holidays
10:00 / 11:00 / 13:00 / 15:00

Sunday lab (capacity of 16 people each time, first-come-first-served basis, for elementary and junior high school students, approx. 30 minutes)
Sundays and national holidays only
11:00 / 14:00

Low Temperature Playground (Capacity of 15 students per session, first-come-first-served basis, approx. 15 minutes)
Weekdays, Weekends and Holidays
10:30 / 12:00 / 13:30 / 15:45

■Craft Room at the Science Museum (Capacity of 16 students per session, first-come-first-served basis, for elementary and junior high school students, approx. 45 minutes)
Sundays and holidays only
10:00 / 11:30 / 13:30

Paying admission fee

Location / Access

Location: 1-2-20, Atsubetsu Chuo 1-jo 5-chome, Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo

Access
■Subway Tozai Line: 1 minute walk from Shin Sapporo Station (Exit 1)
JR Chitose Line: 5 min. walk from Shin-Sapporo Sta. via Sunpiaza

Check it out as well!