A shimmering sphere greets you. It is the Geo-Cosmos at Miraikan. This isn’t just any globe.
Welcome to Miraikan the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. It opened in 2001 a testament to Japan’s commitment to scientific advancement. Miraikan is more than a museum. It’s a window to the future.
Inside Miraikan you’ll encounter wonders. The Geo-Cosmos a breathtaking high-resolution globe displays real-time weather patterns ocean temperatures and vegetation. It’s a stunning visual representation of our planet. Over ten thousand OLED panels bring it to life. Even President Obama was impressed. He called it one of those cool globes. The Geo-Cosmos survived the Tohoku earthquake. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2011.
Explore the exhibits. See a section of rock core from the K-T boundary. It reveals evidence of the meteorite impact that wiped out the dinosaurs. Meet Asimo the Honda robot a star attraction. Ride a model maglev train experiencing the speed of future transportation.
Miraikan uses a unique map projection. It’s called the AuthaGraph projection. This projection accurately represents the Earth’s surface. It even maintains area proportions. Japanese architect Hajime Narukawa developed it in 1999.
The museum hosts special exhibitions. They cover topics from toilets and the future to robots and coexistence. One exhibition in 2012 addressed the Tohoku earthquake and its aftermath. Miraikan constantly explores the intersection of science and art.
Led by astronaut Mamoru Mohri Miraikan offers multilingual demonstrations of cutting-edge Japanese science. It’s a place where science comes alive. It engages and inspires. Miraikan fosters a deeper understanding of science and technology.
Leave Miraikan with a sense of wonder. You’ve witnessed the cutting edge of science and technology. You’ve explored our planet and pondered the future. Miraikan invites you to imagine. It empowers you to shape tomorrow. It is truly a museum of the future.