The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan; Director: Chieko Asakawa) will open two immersive installation works themed on planetary exploration and meteorological observation from Saturday, April 25, 2026, in the newly created immersive experience space 'Theater Room' and the renovated 'Innovation Hall' on the 7th floor. The extraordinary experience of touring unexplored stars and the ever-changing world of clouds will be three-dimensionally recreated with visuals and sounds based on scientific data, as well as fog and wind effects. Through this immersive experience, visitors will encounter the grandeur of space and Earth as if they have entered these worlds.
Screening scene of "Voyage Beyond the Unexplored" in the newly established "Theater Room"
The work to be screened in the newly established "Theater Room" is "Voyage Beyond the Unexplored," themed on the exploration of uncharted planets. In this immersive experience space with sound and visuals, featuring a large curved LED panel resembling a spaceship window and a viewing stage area, visitors can enjoy a powerful space journey through the stars, primarily focusing on the solar system. Based on scientific data accumulated throughout the history of space exploration, the appearance of the Sun and Mars is reconstructed with high-definition CG, achieving both breathtaking beauty and scientific accuracy. Furthermore, under the supervision of Dr. Junichi Watanabe (Distinguished Guest Professor, Kyoto Sangyo University, Director of Kamiyama Astronomical Observatory), the inside of Jupiter's clouds and the ground landscape of Europa (Jupiter's moon), areas not yet reached by probes, have been visualized. Using scientific knowledge as a clue, the unexplored universe is expanded into a beautiful visual experience. In addition, musician Ichiko Aoba's narration accompanies the entire work, inviting viewers on a poetic journey through space.
Meanwhile, the work to be screened in the renovated 7th-floor "Innovation Hall" is "Sky: A Journey Through Clouds," which depicts the diverse forms of clouds unraveled from meteorological research insights. This installation work vividly portrays the grandeur and delicacy of clouds, adding wind and fog effects to music and visuals. In the screening space, 4K images spread across the front, back, left, right, and even the floor, combined with the effects of three-dimensional spatial sound, creating a sensation as if being enveloped in clouds. Furthermore, under the supervision of Dr. Kentaro Araki (cloud researcher), the shapes of clouds and physical phenomena are meticulously depicted. Through the changes in the sky from dawn to dusk, visitors can gain an understanding and discovery of meteorological research.
Work Introduction
"Voyage Beyond the Unexplored"
An extraordinary visual experience of exploring uncharted stars in a highly immersive theater space
This work invites visitors on a journey through space, revealed through astronomical observations and planetary exploration. A large curved LED panel, reminiscent of a spaceship window, creates a high sense of immersion, allowing visitors to tour celestial bodies such as the Sun, Mars, and Jupiter as if on a sightseeing cruise. Gazing at the planetary landscapes through the window, landing on the surface, or venturing into the planet's interior unfolds an extraordinary cosmic scenery.
・ Recreating celestial bodies based on scientific observation data
Scenes recreated based on scientific observation data, such as NASA's latest exploration projects like "Touch The Sun" and NASA's Voyager probe, which has traveled the farthest into space in human history, are projected with great power. Furthermore, under the supervision of Dr. Junichi Watanabe, a researcher of the solar system, unexplored regions not yet reached by probes, such as the inside of Jupiter's clouds and the ground landscape of Europa (Jupiter's moon), are also visualized.
Voyager probe and Saturn
・ Artistic direction sparks interest in unexplored regions
The narration is provided by musician Ichiko Aoba, whose voice resonates throughout the theater as if speaking to each individual. Visual design studio WOW elevates various celestial phenomena into beautiful visual experiences based on scientific data. Artistic direction is interwoven to open the door to interest in unexplored regions.
Viewing Jupiter as if on a space trip
"Voyage Beyond the Unexplored" Work Overview
Credits
Title
Voyage Beyond the Unexplored
Supervision
Junichi Watanabe (Distinguished Guest Professor, Kyoto Sangyo University, Director of Kamiyama Astronomical Observatory)
Narration
Ichiko Aoba
Planning
・Direction・Production
WOW
Equipment Provider
LED TOKYO Corporation
Project Management
・Space Design
Total Media Development Institute Co., Ltd. / Hiroshi Hosokawa
Photography
Hiroshi Hosokawa
Planning・Production
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Screening Information
Screening Days
Daily screenings
*Screenings may be canceled due to circumstances
Screening Times
Starts at :15 and :45 every hour (main feature 15 minutes)
*Last screening starts at 16:45
Venue
7F Theater Room
Viewing Method
Numbered ticket system, first-come, first-served (tickets issued at the Theater Room reception on the day of visit)
Admission Fee
Admission with permanent exhibition ticket (Adults 630 yen, 18 and under 210 yen, preschoolers free)
*Tickets must be purchased by 16:30
Closed Days
Tuesdays (may be open on holidays, during summer vacation, etc.)
*Closed from October 1, 2026 to April 22, 2027 for facility maintenance work
"Sky: A Journey Through Clouds"
An installation that fantastically and scientifically reconstructs the diverse expressions of clouds
This is a 5-minute installation work themed on the circulation of clouds, which change their appearance moment by moment from dawn to dusk, enveloped in music, visuals, fog, and wind. From a scene where the view descends to a water surface shrouded in dawn fog, the perspective ascends high into the sky. Visitors experience an immersive sensation as if walking through an endless sea of clouds. Furthermore, diverse colors, such as the light of clouds, the blueness of the sky, and the twilight colors appearing at dawn and dusk, spread throughout the entire space.
・ Faithfully visualizing diverse meteorological phenomena
Various meteorological phenomena appear, such as sea fog, crepuscular rays, cloud seas, anvil clouds, and rainbows. Under the supervision of Kentaro Araki, a renowned cloud researcher, in the scene where the view plunges into the interior of a cumulonimbus cloud from above an anvil cloud, the physical phenomenon of ice crystals growing into snow crystals and transforming into hail and raindrops is scientifically and faithfully depicted. In this scene, even individual ice crystals are meticulously rendered based on scientific data.
"Sky: A Journey Through Clouds" - Walking through a sea of clouds
・ Enveloped by sound and visuals that fill the entire space
The venue, with a ceiling height of approximately 8m, has been newly equipped with a 12.2-channel three-dimensional sound system and 4K video projection equipment that spreads across the front, back, left, right, and floor. Sound and visuals that fill the entire space create an enveloping immersive experience. Furthermore, during special installation times, fog and wind are generated in the venue, further enhancing the sense of realism in the space.
*Fog effects are only performed during special installation times
Scientifically depicted ice crystals of various shapes
"Sky: A Journey Through Clouds" Work Overview
Credits
Title
Sky: A Journey Through Clouds
Supervision
Kentaro Araki (Cloud Researcher)
Music
Yuki Murata
Planning
・Direction・Production
WOW
Equipment Provider
Panasonic Connect Co., Ltd.
Project Management
・Space Design
Total Media Development Institute Co., Ltd. / Hiroshi Hosokawa
Photography
Hiroshi Hosokawa
Planning・Production
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Screening Information
Screening Days
Daily screenings
*Screenings may be canceled due to circumstances
Screening Times
Every 00 minutes / 30 minutes (main feature 5 minutes)
*Special installation time: Every 00 minutes (main feature 5 minutes, with fog and wind effects)
*Last screening 16:30 start
Venue
7F Innovation Hall
Viewing Method
Free viewing (no numbered tickets required)
Admission Fee
Admission with permanent exhibition ticket (Adults 630 yen, 18 and under 210 yen, preschoolers free)
*Tickets must be purchased by 16:30
Closed Days
Tuesdays (may be open on holidays, during summer vacation, etc.)
*Closed from October 1, 2026 to April 22, 2027 for facility maintenance work
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: News