About Us
![[Title]Passing on the Wonder and Fun of Science](../img/english/h3_lead_sp.png "[Title]Passing on the Wonder and Fun of Science")
Niigata Science Museum, located by the lushly green Lake Toyano, covers all the fields of science. You can learn enjoyably by watching and touching. We offer many experiential-type exhibits such as areas where you can touch real fossils and meteorites. We also have a diorama theater where full-size dinosaurs move and a virtual reality theater where you can realistically experience the ambience with stereoscopic images. Handiwork and scientific events are also held on weekends.
At the largest planetarium on the Sea of Japan, you can experience realistic starry skies and whole-sky digital images. The outdoor exhibition hall has large exhibits such as a steam locomotive, a rocket and a flower garden where you can observe nature. Everyone from children to adults can enjoy everything here all day.
Opening hours and days closed
Opening hours
Weekdays 9:30-16:30
Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and the summer season*
9:30-17:00
*Enter and purchase an admission ticket until 30 minutes before closing
*Summer season of 2024: July 22 (Monday) - August 30 (Friday)
Days closed
Tuesdays
(The next day if Tuesday falls on a national holiday or a substitute holiday)
Over the New Year (December 29 - January 3)
*Closed also on days for maintenance and inspection
Fees
Usage fee
Fees in brackets apply only to chargeable adult groups of 20 or more people
| Classification | Admission fee | +Planetarium fee | Regular admission ticket valid for 6 months |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary and junior high school students |
Admission fee | ¥100 *Free on weekdays | +Planetarium fee | +¥100 | Regular admission ticket valid for 6 months | ¥420 |
| Adults | Admission fee | ¥580 (¥470) | +Planetarium fee | +¥210 | Regular admission ticket valid for 6 months | ¥2,300 |
*Except the Obon perion in August（August 10 - August 20 2024）
- An admission fee is also required for visitors only going to the planetarium.
If you have a regular admission ticket, please purchase a planetarium ticket for ¥100 (elementary and junior high school students) or ¥210 (adults). - Preschool children are free.
- Admission is free for those who have a disability certificate or a rehabilitation certificate. Present your booklet at the ticket office.
One caregiver is free for a person judged as Handicap Grade 1, Grade A or using a wheelchair.
Weekday limited discount
Available only on regular weekdays (except the obon period).
Follow the necessary procedures at the ticket office for these discounts. If the specified certificates are not presented, you cannot get these discounts.
*Cannot be combined with any other coupons or discounts.
| For | Admission fee | Item required | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior discount | For | Students （Elementary and junior high school） |
Admission fee | Free | Item required | None |
| Silver discount | For | Seniors （60 years old or above） |
Admission fee | Free | Item required | An ID issued by a public institution *1 |
| Mom and Dad discount |
For | A parent accompanying a preschool child *2 | Admission fee | Free | Item required | A maternity health record handbook of the accompanying preschool child or each ID issued by a public institution *1 |
| Couple discount |
For | 2 adults *2 | Admission fee | ￥800 for 2 adults |
Item required | None |
*1 The certificates must be the originals.
*2 This does not apply to group visitors.
Visitor's Guide
See the Visitor's Guide with general information and floor maps. Select your language and download it below.
Directions
Map
1-1, 3-chome, Meike Minami, Chuo Ward, Niigata City, 950-0948
TEL: +81-25-283-3331
FAX: +81-25-283-3336
Directions from Niigata Airport
Please use a limousine bus (Direct ride from Niigata Station South Exit) or a taxi.
Please visit Niigata Airport website for bus information.
Directions from Niigata Station
Please use a taxi or a regular bus.
| Boarding points | Time required | Bus lines and destinations | Drop-off points | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding points | Niigata Station South Exit (About 20 minutes) Boarding Point No. 3 (PDF timetable) |
Time required | About 20 minutes | Bus lines and destinations | ・S51: Meike Line bound for Meike Atago ・S52: Meike Line and E83M: Ishiyama Line bound for Niigata City General Hospital ・W73: Ohno-Shirone Line bound for Kata Higashi |
Drop-off points | 3-minute walk from Yakyujo Kagaku-kan Mae bus stop |
| Boarding points | Niigata Station Bandai Exit (About 25 minutes) Boarding Point No. 8 (PDF timetable) |
Time required | About 25 minutes | Bus lines and destinations | ・S50: Direct Meike Line bound for Meike Atago | Drop-off points | 3-minute walk from Yakyujo Kagaku-kan Mae bus stop |
By car
Please use the nearest exit to Niigata Science Museum.
・About 6 minutes from Niigata Chuo (Central) Exit (Expressway)
・About 5 minutes from Meike Exit (Niigata By-pass)
・About 3 minutes from Sakuragi Exit (Niigata By-pass)
- 1. About 4 hours from Tokyo on the Kan-Etsu Expressway and the Hokuriku Expressway
- 2. About 3 hours from Toyama City on the Hokuriku Expressway
- 3. About 3 hours from Yamagata City on the National Route 13 and the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway
- 4. About 2 hours and 30 minutes from Fukushima City on the Ban-Etsu Expressway
Parking Lot
Please use our free parking lot. (Accommodates 250 cars)