A New Immersive Space Born from Sound, Video, and Fog Effects: Two Immersive Installation Works Open This Spring
Miraikan will unveil two new immersive installations, 'Voyage' (space exploration) and 'Sky' (weather), utilizing scientific data and sensory effects, starting April 25, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 00:00
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The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Abbreviation: Miraikan, Chief Executive Director: Chieko Asakawa) will unveil two immersive installation works themed on planetary exploration and meteorological observation starting Saturday, April 25, 2026. These will be exhibited in the newly established immersive experience space, the "Theater Room," and the renewed "Innovation Hall" on the 7th floor. The extraordinary journey through unmapped stars and the ever-changing world of clouds will be three-dimensionally recreated using scientific data-based video and audio, alongside physical effects like fog and wind. Through an immersive experience that makes you feel as if you have stepped into these worlds, you will encounter the magnificence of the universe and the Earth.
The newly established "Theater Room" will screen "Voyage: Beyond the Unmapped," a work themed on humanity's exploration of unmapped planets. In this audio-visual immersive experience space, equipped with a large curved LED panel resembling a spaceship's window and a viewing stage area, visitors can enjoy a highly impactful space journey touring the stars, primarily within the solar system. Based on scientific data accumulated throughout the history of space exploration, the appearances of the sun and Mars have been reconstructed in high-definition CG, achieving both immersive beauty and scientific accuracy. Furthermore, under the supervision of Junichi Watanabe (Special Guest Professor at Kyoto Sangyo University and Director of the Koyama Astronomical Observatory), the scenery inside Jupiter's clouds and the surface of Europa (a moon of Jupiter) — areas probes have yet to reach — have been visualized. Using scientific knowledge as a guide, the unmapped universe is expanded into a beautiful visual experience. Additionally, narration by musician Ichiko Aoba accompanies the entire feature, inviting the audience on a poetic space journey.
Meanwhile, the renewed 7th-floor "Innovation Hall" will screen "Sky: Journey of Clouds," a work depicting the diverse forms of clouds unraveled from meteorological research insights. It is an installation work that three-dimensionally portrays the majesty and delicacy of clouds by adding wind and fog effects to music and video. In the screening space, 4K video spreads to the front, back, left, right, and even the floor, combined with spatial 3D audio effects, resulting in the sensation of actually being inside a cloud. Moreover, under the supervision of Kentaro Araki (Cloud Researcher), the shapes and physical phenomena of clouds are meticulously depicted. Through the changing sky from sunrise to dusk, visitors can gain understanding and discoveries regarding meteorological research.
## Introduction of Works
### "Voyage: Beyond the Unmapped"
### An extraordinary visual experience touring unmapped stars in a highly immersive theater space
This work invites you on a journey through the universe that is being brought to light by astronomical observations and planetary exploration. The large curved LED panel, reminiscent of a spaceship window, creates a high degree of immersion, taking you on a tour of celestial bodies like the sun, Mars, and Jupiter as if you were aboard a cruise ship. While gazing at planetary landscapes through the window, stepping down onto the surface, or delving into the interior of a planet, extraordinary cosmic sceneries unfold.
- Recreating celestial bodies based on scientific observation data
Scenes reconstructed based on scientific observation data, such as NASA's latest solar exploration mission "Touch The Sun" and NASA's "Voyager" probe, which is traveling the furthest in human history, are projected with immense impact. Also, under the supervision of solar system researcher Junichi Watanabe, unexplored regions that even probes haven't reached, like inside Jupiter's clouds or the surface scenery of Europa (Jupiter's moon), have been visualized.
The newly established "Theater Room" will screen "Voyage: Beyond the Unmapped," a work themed on humanity's exploration of unmapped planets. In this audio-visual immersive experience space, equipped with a large curved LED panel resembling a spaceship's window and a viewing stage area, visitors can enjoy a highly impactful space journey touring the stars, primarily within the solar system. Based on scientific data accumulated throughout the history of space exploration, the appearances of the sun and Mars have been reconstructed in high-definition CG, achieving both immersive beauty and scientific accuracy. Furthermore, under the supervision of Junichi Watanabe (Special Guest Professor at Kyoto Sangyo University and Director of the Koyama Astronomical Observatory), the scenery inside Jupiter's clouds and the surface of Europa (a moon of Jupiter) — areas probes have yet to reach — have been visualized. Using scientific knowledge as a guide, the unmapped universe is expanded into a beautiful visual experience. Additionally, narration by musician Ichiko Aoba accompanies the entire feature, inviting the audience on a poetic space journey.
Meanwhile, the renewed 7th-floor "Innovation Hall" will screen "Sky: Journey of Clouds," a work depicting the diverse forms of clouds unraveled from meteorological research insights. It is an installation work that three-dimensionally portrays the majesty and delicacy of clouds by adding wind and fog effects to music and video. In the screening space, 4K video spreads to the front, back, left, right, and even the floor, combined with spatial 3D audio effects, resulting in the sensation of actually being inside a cloud. Moreover, under the supervision of Kentaro Araki (Cloud Researcher), the shapes and physical phenomena of clouds are meticulously depicted. Through the changing sky from sunrise to dusk, visitors can gain understanding and discoveries regarding meteorological research.
## Introduction of Works
### "Voyage: Beyond the Unmapped"
### An extraordinary visual experience touring unmapped stars in a highly immersive theater space
This work invites you on a journey through the universe that is being brought to light by astronomical observations and planetary exploration. The large curved LED panel, reminiscent of a spaceship window, creates a high degree of immersion, taking you on a tour of celestial bodies like the sun, Mars, and Jupiter as if you were aboard a cruise ship. While gazing at planetary landscapes through the window, stepping down onto the surface, or delving into the interior of a planet, extraordinary cosmic sceneries unfold.
- Recreating celestial bodies based on scientific observation data
Scenes reconstructed based on scientific observation data, such as NASA's latest solar exploration mission "Touch The Sun" and NASA's "Voyager" probe, which is traveling the furthest in human history, are projected with immense impact. Also, under the supervision of solar system researcher Junichi Watanabe, unexplored regions that even probes haven't reached, like inside Jupiter's clouds or the surface scenery of Europa (Jupiter's moon), have been visualized.