Tokyo National Science Museum is a major tourist attraction specially for children since its inauguration in 1871. It is within 5 minutes walking distance from Park Exit of Ueno railway station of Japan Railways. Ueno rail stations of the Keisei Line, and Ginza-Hibiya Lines are at a walking distance of ten minutes from National Science Museum in Tokyo.
This Science Museum in Tokyo has permanent displays on various fields of science with a special emphasis on life's evolution on earth. The stress is more on the historical and developmental aspects of science rather than the technicalities. Stuffed animals including dinosaurs, interactive experiment galleries, and the solar system section are the major attractions of the Tokyo Science Museum.
The National Science Museum in Tokyo is made up of the Main building, New Building, and Midori-Kan Building. Two outdoor exhibits form additional attractions.
- The Main Building - The first floor has a display of evolution of animals from dinosaurs to humans. Natural Selection is the subject of display in the second floor. The third floor is an assortment of Asian animals and plants, Japanese conventional clocks, space exploration. The flag planted on the moon surface during Apollo 11's expedition is exhibited here.
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- The New Building - The exhibits in the New Building are distributed among five floors. The basement is a display of dinosaurs and fossils belonging to the Cretaceous Period. While moving upwards two interactive galleries 'Discovery Wood' and 'Discovery Plaza' come in the way. The second floor is devoted to an experiment section, where visitors can try them out. The third floor is made up as an artificial wood with stuffed birds and animals which can be felt. The fourth and fifth floors are for special galleries.
- The Midori-Kan Building - This is the smallest of all the three buildings. In the second floor of this building a stuffed body of Hachico, the legendary Japanese dog, is kept as an exhibit. According to legend Hachico waited for his master at the railway station for years. Another important attraction is a giant squid with extended legs.
A giant sized blue whale made of steel and suspended in a diving position by steel posts displayed outdoors is a favorite attraction.
Tokyo National Science Museum remains open from 9am to 4:30 pm on all days except Mondays. In case Monday is a national holiday, Tuesday remains closed. Special astronomical observations are held for two hours after sundown on the first and third Saturdays of every month.
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