Takikawa City Children's Science Museum - Hokkaido

Takikawa City Children's Science Museum (滝川市こども科学館) is a museum aimed to promote science to kids. It is located at 2 Chome-6-1 Shinmachi in Takikawa City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Takikawa City Children's Science Museum

Takikawa City Children’s Science Museum Details

Takikawa City Children's Science Museum - Takikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Opened in 1991, the Takikawa City Children's Science Museum offers an engaging and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. The museum features three distinct exhibition areas: "Wonders of the Universe and Earth," "Wonders of Humankind," and "Wonders of the Natural World." Rather than merely serving as a place to observe, the museum encourages hands-on exploration, with exhibits designed to be tactile, surprising, and thought-provoking.

Takikawa City Children's Science Museum facade

This also doubles as the Takikawa City Central Children's Center

The museum's wall painting can be seen from the pathway that connects the museum with the Takikawa Museum of Art and Natural History

Takikawa City Children's Science Museum lobby

One of the main attractions is the impressive 3-meter diameter Plate Tectonics exhibit. Here, visitors can witness the fascinating processes that led to the separation of the Americas and Africa, forming the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the northward movement of the Indian continent that ultimately collided with the Eurasian landmass, creating the majestic Himalayan Mountains. Notably, the Takikawa Children's Science Museum is the only place in Japan where you can see a dynamic globe illustrating plate tectonics in action.

Takikawa City Children's Science Museum Exhibits*

 * I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what Takikawa City Children's Science Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.

Another standout feature is the museum’s collection of handmade exhibits. Staff members have crafted experimental equipment from everyday materials like plastic bottles, making science accessible and relatable. A highlight for many is the full-scale model of the asteroid probe "Hayabusa 2," which visitors can explore up close.

Team Nicerio visits Takikawa City Children's Science Museum

My family and I explored the Takikawa City Children's Science Museum for the first time on March 5, 2023. It marked my 489th day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme. Takikawa City Children’s Science Museum is one of the two museums that we visited in Takikawa City. Although this was just a day trip, we thoroughly enjoyed the museum's exhibits and gained valuable insights, especially about the Earth. I highly recommend this destination to anyone with an interest in science.

Takikawa City Children’s Science Museum Admission Fee

• Children's Science Museum Only:
• Adults: 320 yen
• High School Students: 210 yen
• Junior High School Students: 100 yen
• Elementary School Students: 100 yen
• Combined Ticket for the Museum of Art and Natural History:
• Adults: 840 yen
• High School Students: 520 yen
• Junior High School Students: 320 yen
• Elementary School Students: 210 yen
• Combined Ticket for the Museum of Art and Natural History and the Local History Museum:
• Adults: 950 yen
• High School Students: 600 yen
• Junior High School Students: 360 yen
• Elementary School Students: 240 yen
• Annual Passport (valid for the Museum of Art and Natural History, Children's Science Museum, and Local History Museum):
• Adults: 1,050 yen
• High School Students: 730 yen
• Junior High School Students: 420 yen
• Elementary School Students: 320 yen

Free Admission Week: January 4 to January 8 during the winter closure.

Free admission for infants. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For group tours, please contact the Takikawa City Museum of Art and Natural History at 0125-23-0502.

Takikawa City Children’s Science Museum Operating Hours

Takikawa City Children’s Science Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)

Closed: Mondays, the day after national holidays, and during winter holidays (December 1 to the end of February)

Winter Schedule: Open on the second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays of the month during the winter closure.

 

Why visit the Takikawa City Children’s Science Museum?

Families will appreciate the designated toddlers' corner, ensuring that younger children can engage with the exhibits in a safe and enjoyable environment. Overall, the Takikawa City Children's Science Museum provides a unique opportunity for families to learn and have fun together, making it a must-visit destination for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike.

Getting to Takikawa City Children's Science Museum

 

To get to the Takikawa City Children's Science Museum from Asahikawa City, you have a few options depending on your preferred mode of transportation:

By Car:

Route: Take Route 12, which connects Asahikawa to Takikawa City. The distance is about 65 km and typically takes around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on traffic.

Directions: From Asahikawa City, drive south along Route 12. Follow the signs toward Takikawa City. Once you reach the city, follow local signs directing you to the museum.

By Train:

Route: Take the JR Hakodate Main Line from Asahikawa Station to Takikawa Station.

The train journey takes approximately 40-50 minutes, depending on whether you take a local or limited express train.

From Takikawa Station:

The museum is around 3 km from the station. You can take a local taxi or walk, which takes around 30-40 minutes.

By Bus:

Option: Some bus lines connect Asahikawa and Takikawa. Check the schedule at the Asahikawa Bus Terminal. Upon arriving in Takikawa, take a taxi or local bus to the museum.

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