The Museum of Maritime Science is a museum about the sea and boat culture that was opened on the 20th of July 1974. With various exhibitions, you can see the Antarctic research ship "Soya", passenger boat freighters, Japan's coastal patrol boats, as well as the Maritime Self-Defense Forces Aegis-class cruiser and submarine topography of Japan's sea.
What you can Do at the Museum of Maritime Science
There are 3 main areas within the exhibition annex where you can study various things. The first is the Antarctic Research Ship "Soya", the second is the Maritime Exhibition Annex, and the third is the outdoor exhibition.
※To prepare for renovations, the main exhibition hall is currently closed to the public. You can currently see the British cruise ship "Queen Elizabeth II" at the outdoor exhibition.
Antarctic Research Ship "Soya"
The Antarctic Research Ship "Soya" is the most famous exhibition at the Museum of Maritime Science. Soya was constructed as a cargo icebreaker vessel in 1938 and had experience fighting in the Pacific War. After that, it was used as an evacuation boat and supply boat for lighthouses, before becoming Japan's first Antarctic research ship in November of 1956, working as such until April of 1962. Until it ended its activity in 1978 it worked as a patrol boat for the Japan Coast Guard. From May 1988 onwards it has been used as an exhibition of its history.
You can enjoy viewing the Antarctic research boat "Soya" on the official site through the use of a 360-degree panoramic view as well as drone images of the vessel.
Museum of Maritime Science - Exhibition Annex
There are 6 areas where you can learn about research vessels, patrol boats, Aegis-class cruiser, and more interesting and unique exhibitions for the "Japan's Seas" and "Defending our Seas", there is even a diorama for the Japanese sea that can be studied as well as pictures for the various types of boats. They are also selling publications about these subjects.
Outdoor Exhibition
In the outdoor exhibition area you can see the Antarctic research vessel "Soya" among 10 other different types of large-scale ships. Check out the high-power large screw propeller, sea habitat "Ayumi-go 1", the diving research vessel "Tankai", among more interesting exhibitions.
Museum of Maritime Science Business Hours & Entrance Fee
The Museum of Maritime Science is open from 10:00 until 17:00. (The Soya exhibition ends at 16:45). The museum is closed every Monday (Excepting public holidays, in which case it's Tuesday) and over the new year period (28 Dec~3 Jan). There is no entrance fee.
Museum of Maritime Science Access
Accessing the Museum of Maritime Science is easiest via train. It's 17 minutes from Yurikamome Line's Shinbashi Station and is directly next to Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station.
※This information is subject to change. For more details please check the official homepage.
Spot information
- Name: Museum of Maritime Science
- Address: 3-1 Higashi Yashio, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
- Access: Next to Yurikamome Line's Tokyo International Cruise Terminal Station
- Wi-Fi: Available
- Language: English, Chinese (Simplified)
- Ticket Purchase: Not Required
- Credit cards: Unavailable
Comments