Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum

Amidst the towering skyscrapers of Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district, the Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum beckons. It’s a surprising splash of color and whimsy in a landscape of steel and glass. The Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum isn’t your typical corporate archive. It’s a vibrant, interactive space dedicated to the fascinating world of pharmaceuticals. This museum, free to the public, opened its doors in February 2012. Daiichi Sankyo, a leading pharmaceutical company known for both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, aimed to create a place where visitors could explore the “Joy of Medicine.” The Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum achieves this by showcasing the journey of drug discovery and development in an engaging and accessible way. Upon entering the Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum, you’re greeted with a futuristic space, reminiscent of a spaceship. You’ll receive a token, embedded with an IC chip, which unlocks a world of interactive exhibits. The museum is organized into themed zones like “Medicines and the Body,” “Types of Medicines,” and “How Medicines Work.” Each zone is further divided into individual exhibits, totaling 22 in all. By placing your token on designated spots, you can activate games, quizzes, and videos that delve deeper into the exhibit’s secrets. The Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum goes beyond showcasing company history. It explores the broader world of medicine, fostering a deeper understanding of this complex field. A large transparent model of the human body, a key part of the “How Medicines Work” exhibit, illustrates the paths different medicines take through the body. You can choose a medicine type – oral, injection, or suppository – and watch its journey through the digestive system and internal organs. Interactive games further enhance the learning experience. A “cholesterol collection contest” teaches about heart attacks. A 3D puzzle challenges you to design the optimal drug compound. A screening game simulates the search for useful drug compounds. The Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum also houses a “Medicine Theater” with a vast, three-walled screen. Here, videos like “The Future of Medicine” and “Medicine and Nihonbashi” play, produced with the help of various company departments. Employee interviews offer a glimpse into the lives and passions of researchers, marketers, and other professionals involved in bringing medicines to the public. The museum’s design, filled with bright lights and interactive displays, transforms the often-intimidating world of medicine into something exciting and approachable. The Daiichi Sankyo Kusuri Museum’s logo cleverly encapsulates this transformation. The Japanese character for “medicine” incorporates the character for “enjoyment.” This emphasis on the joy of medicine, along with the museum’s interactive and engaging exhibits, leaves a lasting impression. It fosters a newfound appreciation for the intricate world of pharmaceuticals.