[Kobe City] Lots of exhibits where you can have fun learning about science and space! "Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum"

• Table of Contents
• Six exhibition rooms where you can have fun and learn while playing
• Dome theater with the only planetarium in Kobe city
• Astronomical observation room where you can observe the sun with a telescope made about 100 years ago
• There's more! Interesting events at “Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum”
• basic information

Six exhibition rooms where you can have fun and learn while playing

"Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum" is a science museum that opened in April 1984 as "Kobe City Youth Science Museum." The purpose of the program was to deepen the awareness of science and technology among citizens, especially young people who will lead the next generation, and to foster rich creativity, which is why the word "youth" was added to the name.

Later, with the introduction of the naming rights system in 2014, Bando Chemical Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kobe, acquired the naming rights. Currently, it is affectionately known as ``Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum''.

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

・Exhibition room 1: Science of how force works, Science of matter and energy

・2nd Exhibition Room: Science of Information

・3rd Exhibition Room: Space and Earth

・Exhibition room 4: Science and technology in Kobe

・Exhibition Room 5: Science of Life

・Exhibition Room 6: Science of Creativity

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

Among them, the second exhibition room "Information Science", whose exhibition was renewed in April 2022, has "Line Tracer" where you can learn about the mechanism of information processing, and "Robot" where you can use a controller to operate the industrial robot in front of you. Factory" and other AI and robots that make full use of the latest information technology are on display.

In the passageway between the main building and the second floor of the new building, there is a ``path of discovery'' with images projected on the wall and floor, approximately 12 meters in length. It recreates the state of countless stars from their birth to their disappearance, and the vivid images make it a popular photo spot within the museum.

In the third exhibition room, "Space and Earth," there is a very popular experiential attraction, "Space-Time Hopper." Images are shown on a large screen measuring 15m wide and 7.8m high, and participants complete missions while flying and jumping. It is so popular that there is a line on holidays.

Dome theater with the only planetarium in Kobe city

Since it's called "youth", isn't it something only children can enjoy? Some people may think so, but that is not the case.

One of the reasons for this is this dome theater (planetarium). In 2022, we will introduce the latest projector and 8.2ch surround sound system, and with all new equipment, we will be able to recreate outer space 13.8 billion light years away.

The content of the programs ranges from things that young children can enjoy to things that are aimed at adults. Projection time is approximately 45 minutes. The programs for children are designed to keep children from getting bored even if they sit for long periods of time, such as playing animated videos and clapping their hands along with songs.

One of the highlights is that you can listen to live commentary from science staff every time! Please take your time and enjoy stargazing.

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

``The Dome Theater has a relaxing program with healing music that adults can enjoy as well.Please come and have fun with your family or as a couple.

The Dome Theater is equipped with ``sofa-type relaxing seats,'' the first of its kind in Japan at a public planetarium (charged at 500 yen per seat). Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum also holds events such as live music, so you can have fun that goes beyond the bounds of a planetarium.

basic information

Dome theater (planetarium) admission fee

Price: 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for children (elementary school, middle school, high school)

A separate fee is required to enter the exhibition room.

Astronomical observation room where you can observe the sun with a telescope made about 100 years ago

When you visit Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum, you should definitely visit the astronomical observation room on the 4th floor of the main building.

The astronomical observatory is equipped with the 25cm Cook Telescope ``Taiyo,'' which allows you to observe sunspots and prominences (gas that rises on the surface of the sun and looks like flames).

The great thing about this telescope is that it was made in England in 1923. The one that was made about 100 years ago is still in use today! Originally installed at the Marine Meteorological Observatory in Nakayamate, Kobe to investigate the relationship between the sun and weather, it was decided to install it at the Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum.

There are also events where you can actually observe sunspots and prominences using this "Taiyo". If it's raining or cloudy and you can't see the sun, they'll give you an explanation of how to use the telescope.

basic information

Observation with the 25cm diameter refracting telescope "Taiyo"

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

Capacity: None

*Reception may close earlier if it is crowded.

There's more! Interesting events at “Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum”

In addition to the exhibition rooms and dome theater, Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum is also attractive because it holds many events related to science and space. For example, at the "Science Experiment Show" held in Exhibition Room 1, you can watch science staff conducting scientific experiments.

Show information

science experiment show

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

Start time: ① 10:30~ / ② 14:00~ (approximately 20 minutes each time) *Please arrive at the venue by the start time.

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

Participation fee: Free (separate exhibition room admission fee required)

*Items may be changed or canceled due to various circumstances.

In the second exhibition room, an ``Industrial Robot Operation Experience Tour'' will be held for elementary school students in fourth grade and above. This is an event where you and the staff can think about the characteristics of robots while actually operating them.

Experience tour information

Industrial robot operation experience tour

Location: 2nd exhibition room

Holding time: ①11:45~ ②12:15~ ➂15:15~ (approximately 25 minutes each time)

Target: 4th grade elementary school students and above

Capacity: 5 people (reception on the day)

Participation fee: Free (separate exhibition room admission fee required)

*Only the person who applied can experience it.

*If a guardian or accompanying person is visiting, please stay a little distance away from the participants.

*If you are late, you will not be able to experience it. Please note.

Another popular event is ``Starry Sky Watching,'' which is held once a month. After listening to a starry sky guide, you will actually look for stars on the rooftop.The event starts at 7:00 pm from April to October, and from 6:30 pm from November to March.

basic information

starry sky watching

Event date: Please check the website Price: 400 yen (elementary school students and older)

Capacity: First 150 people

If the rooftop viewing is not possible due to weather, you will only be able to listen to an explanation of the stars for about 50 minutes in the dome theater.

Club activities are recommended for those who are interested in science and space. ``Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum'' is an activity where students continue to attend the Kobe Youth Science Museum and learn about science and space. There's a club.

There are also benefits such as free admission to the exhibition rooms and dome theater, and the ability to borrow books from the science information room (library) for a month! Recruitment for 2020 has already ended, but if you are interested in participating, please apply when recruiting for next year.

“Club activities” official website: https://www.kobe-kagakukan.jp/club/

Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum has many exhibits where you can have fun learning about science and space. The dome theater, which recreates a realistic starry sky, can be enjoyed not only by children but also by adults.

There are no restaurants on the premises, but you can bring your own packed lunch. You can eat in the lobby on the basement floor of the new building, so you don't have to worry about it even on rainy days. If you're looking for a place to go on a holiday, why not consider it?

(Writer Nakata/West Plan)

*This article is information as of May 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may change.

basic information

Bando Kobe Youth Science Museum

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

Phone number: 078-302-5177

Business hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30-16:30 Friday-Sunday, public holidays, spring/summer vacation 9:30-19:00

Closed: Wednesdays (open on public holidays, closed the next day), facility rearrangement days,

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

Admission fee: 600 yen for exhibition room, 300 yen for elementary school students and above, 400 yen for dome theater (planetarium), 200 yen for elementary school students and above

Access: Take the Kobe New Transit Port Liner Line from Sannomiya Station in the direction of Kitafuto, then walk from Minamikoen Station for 3 minutes.

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

SNS: Instagram