Tomakomai City Technology Center (苫小牧市 科学センター) is a science museum and also a planetarium rolled into one. It is located at 3 Chome-1-12 Asahimachi, Tomakomai City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Tomakomai City Technology Center |
Tomakomai City Technology Center details
The Tomakomai City Technology Center, originally established in January 1970 as the Tomakomai City Youth Center, has undergone significant expansions and developments over the years.
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| Tomakomai City Technology Center - Tomakomai City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
In November 1985, the center expanded its science department and was relaunched as the "Tomakomai City Science Center". Subsequently, in December 1999, the "Mir Exhibition Hall" was opened, further adding to the center's offerings.
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| Tomakomai City Technology Center facade |
The First Floor Exhibits*
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| N Gauge Railway Model Diorama |
The Tomakomai City Technology Center is divided into four exhibition areas, each offering unique attractions and experiences for visitors. The first-floor area features an N Gauge Railway Model Diorama, allowing visitors to admire the intricate details of a railway model built to a 1/148 - 1/160 scale. This model displays the N scale, which derives its name from the various translations of the number nine in different languages, all beginning with the letter "N" – Nine in English, Neun in German, Neuf in French, and Nove in Italian.
* I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits and I purposely didn't label all of them so that you would only get a glimpse of what the Tomakomai City Technology Center has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.
Continuing on the first floor, the Principles of Aviation exhibit provides informative displays about the fundamental principles of flying, enriching visitors' understanding of aviation. Additionally, a Glider display showcases a glider aircraft used for training purposes by the Nihon University School of Engineering Gliding Study Group alumni. Previously used for training from 1977 to 1999, it now serves as a valuable educational tool for children's aerospace education at the Science Center.
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| Disaster Prevention and Emergency Helicopter "Hamanasu" |
Another highlight of the first-floor area is the Disaster Prevention and Emergency Helicopter Hamanasu, which belongs to the Hokkaido Police Air Corps. The helicopter, named "Hamanas JA9247", has been involved in various disaster and emergency operations in Hokkaido for 22 years. It has played a vital role in events such as treating the burns of Konstantin on Sakhalin, the Okujiri Earthquake, and the Toyohama Tunnel Collapse.
The Second Floor Exhibits*
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| Electric gyro |
Moving to the second-floor area, visitors can immerse themselves in the wonders of the universe within the planetarium. With a dome diameter of 10 meters and a seating capacity of 84 people, this planetarium offers a captivating experience. Additionally, the Space Exploration Exhibits feature a range of displays, including a space shuttle model and a comprehensive history of space development. The exhibit also includes a large planisphere to enhance visitors' understanding of celestial navigation.
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| Phantascope |
* 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 Tomakomai City Technology Center has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.
For those seeking an intriguing experience, the Mysterious Room on the second floor creates optical illusions through the manipulation of distance and size, captivating the imagination. Accompanying the Mysterious Room is the Phantascope, an early animation device invented in 1832 by Belgian scientist Joseph Plato. By rotating a disk with a continuous picture drawn on the edge along with a disk containing narrow gaps, the Phantascope creates the illusion of a moving image.
The Outdoor Exhibits
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| Steam locomotive “C-11-133” |
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| Parabolic antenna |
In the outdoor area of the Tomakomai City Technology Center, visitors can appreciate the beauty of the Mural "Sound of Sprouting". This glass mosaic mural, measuring 5 meters in height and 14 meters in width, was donated by Mr. Shigenobu Nakamura in 1972. Adorning the west wall of the Science Center, the mural adds a touch of artistic grandeur to the surroundings. Additionally, the center houses the Steam locomotive "C-11-133", manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries on March 9, 1939. This locomotive has covered a remarkable distance of approximately 1,736,000 kilometers, equivalent to 43 times around the Earth. Permanently lent by the former Japanese National Railways in May 1975, the locomotive serves as a fascinating glimpse into the grandeur of locomotive history.
The Mir Spacecraft Exhibition Hall
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| Team Nicerio visits the Mir Spacecraft Exhibition Hall |
Tomakomai City Technology Center in Pop Culture
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| Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi (僕だけがいない街)) |
Finally, a highlight of the Tomakomai City Technology Center is the Mir Spacecraft Exhibition Hall, showcasing a Soviet-made space station, known as Mir. Visitors can delve deeper into the history and significance of this space station through an exhibition dedicated to its exploration and accomplishments.
Team Nicerio visits Tomakomai City Technology Center
My family and I first visited Tomakomai City Technology Center last October 9, 2022, during the second day of our “October 8-10” Road Trip. It was my 342nd day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. During our visit, we enjoyed the different interactive displays in the facility. We learned a lot about various things related to space. If you’re going to ask us, our favorite display is none other than the Mir Space Craft.
Tomakomai City Technology Center Fees
It’s FREE to visit and explore the main exhibition room, Mir exhibition hall, and planetarium.
Tomakomai City Technology Center Operating Hours
Tomakomai City Technology Center is open from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.
It is closed every Monday (if Monday is a holiday, then it’s closed on Tuesday)
Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)
Why visit Tomakomai City Technology Center?
The Tomakomai City Technology Center, with its diverse range of exhibits and attractions, offers visitors a captivating and educational experience. From exploring the principles of aviation to marveling at space exploration, the center is an ideal destination for those seeking to foster their scientific spirit and immerse themselves in local culture. Aside from the educational value of the displays here, it is also good to note that Tomakomai City Technology Center was featured in both the anime and live adaptation of the manga Boku dake ga Inai Machi which is famously called Erased in other countries.
Getting to the Tomakomai City Technology Center
From Sapporo Station, ride the 140 Rapid New Chitose Airport train of the Rapid Airport train service. Board down at Minami-Chitose Station and transfer to the Local Tomakomai train of the Chitose Line and board down at Tomakomai Station.
Once there, walk for about 1.4 kilometers going to the Tomakomai City Technology Center.
Travel time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Fare: 2,520 yen
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