[Kobe City] Lots of fun exhibits to learn about science and space!

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There are many things to see inside the museum, including six exhibition rooms, an astronomical observatory, and a science information room (library). In addition, the Dome Theater (planetarium), which was renovated in 2022, can now recreate a starry sky that is as close to the real thing as possible.

Written by

Local Prime/Travel Lab by Shinki Bus Co., Ltd.

What are good things and good experiences? There are many characteristics such as having a story to tell, overflowing with the thoughts of the creator, having a history, and being loved by the locals. Have you ever come across a special thing or experience that made you want to tell someone about it? And as a result of telling, someone new leads to something. We think that's what "good" is all about. In order to deliver such encounters to our customers, we discover Hyogo's good things based on the concept of "talk, communicate, and connect", and provide information that will shorten the emotional distance between customers and the region of Hyogo Prefecture.

Table of Contents
Six exhibition rooms where you can learn while having fun
The only dome theater in Kobe City with a planetarium
An astronomical observatory where you can observe the sun through a telescope from about 100 years ago
There's more! Interesting events at the Bando Kobe Science Museum
basic information

Six exhibition rooms where you can learn while having fun

The Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum is a science museum that opened in April 1984 as the Kobe Municipal Youth Science Museum. The "youth" part of the name comes from the fact that the museum's purpose is to deepen the understanding of science and technology among local citizens, particularly young people who will lead the next generation, and to foster rich creativity.

Later, in 2014, with the introduction of the naming rights system, Kobe-based Bando Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. acquired the naming rights, and the museum is now affectionately known as the "Bando Kobe Science Museum."

The museum's six exhibition rooms are divided into the following themes:

・Exhibition Room 1: The science of force mechanisms and the science of matter and energy

・Exhibition Room 2: Science of Information

・Exhibition Room 3: Space and Earth

・Exhibition Room 4: Science and Technology in Kobe

・Exhibition Room 5: Science of Life

・Exhibition Room 6: The Science of Creativity

One of the attractions of the Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum is that there are many hands-on exhibits where you can learn about the mechanisms of science and the universe while having fun. It is a recommended spot for families with children.

In particular, the second exhibition room, "Science of Information," which was renovated in April 2022, displays AI and robots that utilize the latest information technology, such as a "line tracer" that teaches you how information processing works, and a "robot factory" where you can use a controller to operate an industrial robot in front of you.

Industrial Robots

"Omisoshi AI" - When you place something under the camera, the AI will determine what it is

In the connecting corridor between the main building and the second floor of the new building, there is a 12m long "Path of Discovery" where images are projected onto the walls and floor. It recreates the process of countless stars from their birth to their disappearance, and the vivid images have made it a popular photo spot in the building.

There is also a mechanism that creates a black hole when approaching a wall.

In the third exhibition room, "Space and Earth," there is a very popular experiential attraction called "Time-Space Hopper." Images are projected onto a large screen measuring 15 meters wide and 7.8 meters high, and participants challenge themselves to missions while jumping and bouncing. It is so popular that there are long queues on weekends.

The only dome theater in Kobe City with a planetarium

Some people may think that because it has the word "youth" in the name, only children can enjoy it, but that is not the case.

One of the reasons for this is the Dome Theater (planetarium). In 2022, the latest projector and 8.2ch surround sound system were installed, and the equipment was completely renewed, making it possible to recreate outer space 13.8 billion light away.

The programs range from those that small children can enjoy to those aimed at adults. The duration of the program is about 45 minutes. The programs for children are designed to keep children from getting bored, with animated videos and songs to clap along to.

One of the highlights is being able to listen to live commentary by the science staff at every event! Be sure to take your time and enjoy stargazing.

Two projectors installed in front of and behind the projector project a 360° starry sky.

When I actually watched it, I was amazed by the countless stars projected in the pitch black dome! I was amazed at how beautiful the stars looked in the sky without the city lights.

"The Dome Theater offers relaxing programs with healing music that adults can enjoy as well. Please come and enjoy with your family or as a couple.

The Dome Theater is equipped with "sofa-style relaxation seats," the first of their kind in a public planetarium in Japan (charge applies: 500 yen per seat). Events such as live music performances are sometimes held here, so you can enjoy the show in ways that go beyond the scope of a planetarium, which is something you'll only find at the Bando Kobe Science Museum.

basic information

Dome Theater (planetarium) admission fee

Admission fee: 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for children (elementary, middle and high school students)

A separate fee is required to enter the exhibition room.

An astronomical observatory where you can observe the sun through a telescope from about 100 years ago

If you visit the Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum, one thing you should definitely visit is the astronomical observatory on the 4th floor of the main building.

The astronomical observatory is equipped with the 25-cm Cook Telescope "Taiyo," which allows observation of sunspots and prominences (flame-like formations of gas on the surface of the sun).

What's amazing about this telescope is that it was made in England in 1923. It's still in use today, despite being made almost 100 years ago! It was originally installed at the Marine Meteorological Observatory in Nakayamate, Kobe, to study the relationship between the sun and the weather, but was later placed at the Bando Kobe Science Museum.

Telescopes still in use today

There are also events where you can actually use this telescope to observe sunspots and prominences. If it's rainy or cloudy and you can't see the sun, you can get an explanation of the telescope.

basic information

Observation with the 25cm diameter refracting telescope "Taiyo"

Opening hours: ①11:30-12:00 ②14:30-15:00 (April-September)

Capacity: None

*Registration may close earlier than scheduled if it is crowded.

There's more! Interesting events at the Bando Kobe Science Museum

Photo courtesy of Bando Kobe Science Museum

In addition to the exhibition hall and dome theater, the Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum also has many science and space-related events. For example, at the Science Experiment Show held in the first exhibition hall, you can watch the science staff conducting scientific experiments.

Show Information

Science Experiment Show

Location: Main Building 1st Floor, Exhibition Room 1, Chemical Workshop

Start time: ①10:30~ / ②14:00~ (each session lasts approximately 20 minutes) *Please arrive at the location by the start time.

Target: Anyone How to participate: Please come directly to the venue

Participation fee: Free (exhibition admission fee required)

*The event may be changed or canceled due to various circumstances.

Photo courtesy of Bando Kobe Science Museum

In the second exhibition room, an "Industrial Robot Operation Experience Tour" will be held for children in the 4th grade and above. This is an event where you can actually operate a robot and think about what characteristics the robot has together with the staff.

Experience tour information

Industrial robot operation experience tour

Location: Exhibition Room 2

Time: ①11:45～ ②12:15～ ③15:15～ (Each session lasts approximately 25 minutes)

Target: 4th grade and above

Capacity: 5 people (Registration on the day)

Participation fee: Free (Exhibition admission fee required)

*Only the person who applied can experience this.

*If a parent or guardian is watching, please keep a short distance away from the participants.

*Please note that if you are late, you will not be able to participate in the experience.

Photo courtesy of Bando Kobe Science Museum

Another popular event is the "Stargazing" event, which is held once a month. After listening to a guide to the starry sky, you can actually search for stars on the rooftop. The event starts at 7:00 PM from April to October, and at 6:30 PM from November to March.

basic information

Stargazing

Date: Check the website Price: 400 yen (elementary school students and above)

Capacity: First 150 people

If the weather prevents you from viewing from the rooftop, you will only be able to listen to a 50-minute commentary on the stars in the Dome Theater.

Photo courtesy of Bando Kobe Science Museum

If you are interested in science or space, we recommend club activities. Club activities involve regularly attending the Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum and learning about science and space. There are clubs such as the Interesting Science Club, the Kobe City Boys and Girls Invention Club, the Kobe Astro Club, and the Kobe Youth Amateur Radio Club.

There are also benefits such as free admission to the exhibition room and dome theater, and the ability to borrow books from the Science Information Room (library) for one month! Applications for the 2023 fiscal year have already ended, but if you'd like to go, please apply next year.

"Club Activities" official website: https://www.kobe-kagakukan.jp/club/

The Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum has many exhibits that allow you to learn about science and space while having fun. The Dome Theater, which recreates a realistic starry sky, is enjoyable for both children and adults.

There are no restaurants within the facility, but you can bring your own lunch. You can eat in the lobby on the first basement floor of the new building, so you don't have to worry about it raining. If you're looking for a place to go on your day off, this is definitely a good option.

(Writer: Nakata/West Plan)

*This article is current as of May 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may be subject to change.

basic information

Bando Kobe Science Museum

Address: 7-7-6 Minatojima Nakamachi , Chuo Ward, Kobe City Hyogo Prefecture

Phone number: 078-302-5177

Business hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30 to 16:30 Friday to Sunday, public holidays, spring and summer holidays 9:30 to 19:00

Closed: Wednesdays (open on public holidays, closed the following day), library maintenance days,

Year-end and New Year holidays: (December 28th to January 4th) *Open during spring and summer holidays

Admission fee: Exhibition room 600 yen, elementary school students and above 300 yen, Dome Theater (planetarium) 400 yen, elementary school students and above 200 yen

Access: Take the Kobe New Transit Port Liner line to Sannomiya Station heading for Kitafuto, then walk for 3 minutes from Minamikoen Station

HP: https://www.kobe-kagakukan.jp/

Social Media: Instagram

Written by

Local Prime/Travel Lab by Shinki Bus Co., Ltd.

Hyogo

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