Thank you for reading.
I’m Hirotomaru, the writer of this article. In June, I visited the Nagoya City Science Museum as part of our employee training program.
It was a full‑sensory day of “seeing, touching, being amazed… and even sleeping (!?).”
The theme was: Playing with science and encountering the universe.
Every exhibit was a huge hit!
The science museum is divided into three sections: the Technology Building, the Life Science Building, and the Astronomy Building. Each one is packed with hands‑on exhibits, and there was so much to see that half a day wasn’t nearly enough.
The Extreme Cold Lab, where you can experience a −30°C environment, was especially popular—despite it being a Friday, the numbered tickets ran out early. A large group of elementary school students seemed to be there on a field trip, so every floor was buzzing with energy. I even spotted one of our employees making friends with the kids! From creating an artificial tornado to watching a 1.2‑million‑volt discharge show, the whole place was full of excitement.
Planetarium “Brother Earth”
The highlight of the day was, without a doubt, the world‑class planetarium
“Brother Earth”!
Inside its massive 35‑meter‑wide dome, the experience felt as if we were completely enveloped by the universe.
We began with an explanation of Nagoya’s night sky in June.
The stories and meanings behind the Summer Triangle, the North Star, and the positions of Saturn and Mars were so captivating that I found myself completely absorbed.
The visuals were stunning—it felt as if I were gazing up at a real star‑filled sky.
Since I rarely get the chance to look at the stars in everyday life, having this quiet moment to simply take in the sky felt truly special.
Black Hole Special: Drawn Into the Darkness of the Universe?
The second half focused on the special theme: black holes.
“What does it mean that even light can’t escape?”
“Time gets distorted? What exactly is spacetime?”
I found myself drawn deeper and deeper into these cosmic mysteries that we never encounter in everyday life.
The visuals and sound effects of the black hole were incredible, letting us experience what it might feel like to be drawn into the pitch‑black, bottomless vortex at its center.
The reclining seats were so comfortable that it seems some people were pulled into a sleep even deeper than a black hole…
Beyond Learning: An Encounter with Science
This day at the Nagoya City Science Museum was more than just a tour or a training session—it was an intellectual adventure filled with the joy of discovery and moments of genuine wonder.
Experiencing the many science‑based exhibits was truly enjoyable.
And that concludes our off‑site learning report from the Nagoya City Science Museum—a day filled with science, relaxation, and plenty of laughter!
Stay tuned for the next article!!