Wakkanai Youth Science Museum - Hokkaido

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum (稚内市青少年科学館) is a museum that focuses on providing education and information on various scientific and technological fields. It is located at 2 Chome-2-16 Noshappu, Wakkanai, City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum (稚内市青少年科学館) 

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum details

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum was established in 1992 to promote scientific education among young people in the region.

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum - Wakkanai City, Hokkaido Prefecture

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum entrance

Initially, the museum was established as a temporary facility within the premises of the Wakkanai City Cultural Center. However, in 2006, the Wakkanai Youth Science Museum moved to a new building that was specifically designed and built to house educational exhibits and programs. 

Inside Wakkanai Youth Science Museum

The museum has several permanent exhibitions that provide visitors of all ages with an interactive learning experience. These exhibits cover a range of subjects, including astronomy, biology, physics, chemistry, and environmental science. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year that focus on a specific aspect of science or technology.

Ella enjoyed her time at Wakkanai Youth Science Museum

One of the key objectives of the Wakkanai Youth Science Museum is to promote scientific curiosity and understanding among the youth of the region and to encourage them to pursue careers in science and technology. To this end, the museum provides various educational programs and workshops for children of all ages. These programs aim to enhance scientific knowledge and build critical thinking skills among young people, while also providing an opportunity for hands-on learning and experimentation.

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum offers a hands-on learning experience for visitors of all ages, particularly for children who have an interest in science and technology. The exhibits are interactive and engaging, encouraging visitors to experiment and explore various scientific concepts.

Some of the displays inside Wakkanai Youth Science Museum*

* 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 the Wakkanai Youth Science Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.

Aside from that, the museum's focus on astronomy and space science is particularly unique. It houses a planetarium where visitors can observe constellations, planets, and other celestial bodies, and learn about the history of space exploration.

Team Nicerio visits Wakkanai Youth Science Museum

My family and I visited Wakkanai Youth Science Museum for the first time last August 13, 2022, my 41st weekend here in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. It was one of the destinations we visited on the 2nd day of our 5-day Drive Up North Road Trip. During our visit, Ella and I enjoyed exploring and learning inside the museum. It was not crowded and there were a lot of things to see and do. 


Overall, the Wakkanai Youth Science Museum has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists and has played an important role in promoting scientific education and innovation in the region.

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum Entrance Fee

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum Fees

Admission is 500 yen for adults (high school students and adults) and 100 yen for elementary and junior high students.

For groups of 20 or more, it’s 400 yen per adult while elementary and junior high students pay only 80 yen.

Wakkanai Youth Science Museum Operating Hours

Summer hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from April 29th to October 31st.

Winter hours are from November 1st to November 30th, and from February 1st to March 31st of the following year, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Why visit the Wakkanai Youth Science Museum

Overall, the Wakkanai Youth Science Museum is a fascinating and educational destination that offers visitors a chance to learn about science and technology while experiencing the beauty and wonder of Wakkanai City.

Getting to Wakkanai Youth Science Museum

It takes around 10 minutes by bus (city line) from Wakkanai JR Station to the "Noshappu” bus stop. From there, Noshappu Aquarium is about 3-5 minutes on foot.

Walking from Wakkanai JR Station to Wakkanai Youth Science Museum is another alternative. It's around 4.6 kilometers or about an hour of walking.

The best way to go to Wakkanai Youth Science Museum from Wakkanai City is via private vehicle. The drive from Wakkanai JR Station to Cape Noshappu takes approximately 10 minutes and is relatively easy. However, be aware that there is a lot of deer around Cape Noshappu, so always be cautious.

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