Review: National Museum of Nature and Science

Start from the top. What's the story behind this place?
Dating back to the 1870s, the National Museum of Nature and Science, in Ueno Park, is a boon for parents with curious kids. Butterflies, a fallen meteorite, and all manner of marvels pertaining to the broad field of natural science make this sprawling museum feel like an extended field trip. There’s a special emphasis on the anthropological history, biodiversity, geology, and technological contributions of Japan here. With a reasonable entry fee (about $5) for adults and free entry for children under 18, the museum offers hours of family-friendly entertainment for just a few bucks.

What are some highlights from the collection?
The breadth of the museum’s permanent collection is staggering. Everything from dinosaur skeletons to a lifesize model of a blue whale to in-depth exhibits on space travel fills the cavernous halls of this Wunderkammer. A few of the highlights include a World War II fighter plane, a Futabasaurus plesiosaur unearthed in Fukushima, and—more disturbingly—the taxidermied body of Hachiko, a famous Japanese dog who waited patiently for his master for years. While the recently refurbished Global Gallery feels fresh, some of the exhibitions in the Japan Gallery are starting to show their age.

Any temporary exhibits worth checking out?
Special exhibitions come through a few times a year, but they pale in comparison to the permanent collection.

What do you make of the crowd?
Tons of families with small children flock here, meaning that the decibel levels skyrocket on weekends. Most visitors tend to cluster around popular attractions like the Theater360, an immersive cinema showing projections on an unbroken spherical screen.

How has the museum held up since the 1870s?
Despite the museum’s age, a series of renovations over the years has made it fairly handicapped-accessible. Visitors in wheelchairs may sometimes need to follow a somewhat circuitous route, but can generally reach wherever they want to go. When the sheer size of the museum starts to feel overwhelming, the rooftop seating area is the perfect spot for a breather.

Any guided tours worth trying?
Not all the English-language signage is up to scratch, making the audioguide a worthwhile $2-$3 investment.

How's the gift shop?
Especially if you’re traveling with kids, be sure to budget a chunk of time and luggage space for the funky gift shop, which stocks dinos, spacecraft, and gadgets and gizmos galore.

Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere?
The food at the restaurant in the Global Gallery isn’t the best. Still, dishes like a panda-shaped omelet will stave off a blood sugar crash. The somewhat noisier Cafe Atelier De Reve is fine for a quick jolt of caffeine.

How would you recommend strategizing our visit?
The key to getting the most out of your visit to this museum is realizing that you don’t have to see it all—especially if younger members of your group are starting to fidget. Rather than race through the whole collection, hone in on one or two subjects of interest. “The Evolution of Life” in the Global Gallery whisks visitors through 4.6 billion years of terrestrial history. As you wander through, you’ll pass the handsomely displayed fossil remnants of Tyrannosaurus rex, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus, and other creatures. If museum-fatigue is starting to set in after that, spend the rest of the afternoon in Ueno Park or check out the nearby Ueno Zoo.