The History of Sendai City Science Museum
Its Origins: The “Science Room”
The origins of the Sendai City Science Museum can be traced back to 1952, when a facility called the “Science Room” was established inside the Sendai City Leisure Center in central Sendai.
The Science Room included laboratories and experimental facilities for subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, and electricity. At the time, many municipal junior high schools in Sendai did not have dedicated science laboratories, so the facility served as a shared laboratory where students could conduct experiments.
It also organized science classes and public lectures for local residents, helping make scientific knowledge more accessible to the wider community.
The Opening of Sendai City Science Museum
In 1966, Sendai Mayor Takeshi Shimano announced plans to establish a dedicated science museum. Two years later, in May 1968, the Sendai City Science Museum officially opened.
The original museum was located in the basement of a building in the city center. It had one exhibition room and two laboratories. However, its urban location made outdoor observation difficult, while the limited floor space restricted the museum’s activities.
Moving to Dainohara Forest Park
Plans to relocate the museum were approved in 1985, and construction of a new facility began in 1988. In September 1990, the present museum opened within Dainohara Forest Park.
The new location provided considerably more opportunities for outdoor observation and hands-on activities. Its setting among trees and natural landscapes also allowed visitors to connect what they learn inside the museum with the natural world outside.
Recent Renovation and Name Changes
In 2013, Sumitomo 3M acquired the museum’s naming rights, and the facility became known as “3M Sendai City Science Museum.”
From April 1, 2025, Hokushu Co., Ltd. acquired the naming rights, giving the museum its current nickname, “HOKUSHU Sendai City Science Museum.”
The third- and fourth-floor exhibition galleries had been temporarily closed from October 2024 and reopened on April 5, 2025 following renovation. The updated galleries offer visitors new opportunities to explore science through interactive and visually engaging exhibits.
Exhibitions and Highlights
Third Floor: Everyday Science and Disaster Science
The third floor features exhibitions focusing on everyday science and disaster science. Visitors can discover how scientific principles are connected to familiar aspects of daily life through accessible and interactive displays.
The disaster-related exhibits explore topics such as earthquakes and disaster preparedness. This is particularly relevant in the Tohoku region, which has experienced major earthquakes and tsunamis, and provides an opportunity to think about how scientific knowledge can help protect communities.
Fourth Floor: Engineering, Science, and Natural History
The fourth floor presents exhibits related to engineering, science, and natural history. Visitors can explore subjects ranging from fossils and geological specimens to natural phenomena and earthquakes.
Among the attractions are dinosaur fossils, which are especially popular with children. There are also unusual mushroom specimens and equipment that allows visitors to experience the sensation of an earthquake, making the exhibits both educational and engaging.
Tohoku University Windnauts Aircraft
One of the most eye-catching exhibits in the entrance hall is a reconstructed human-powered aircraft used by Tohoku University Windnauts.
The aircraft was used in the Birdman Rally Japan in 2011 and 2012, when the university team achieved victories in the competition. The exhibit represents the combination of scientific knowledge, engineering creativity, teamwork, and the ambition to turn an idea into reality.
Outdoor Facilities
The museum’s outdoor area includes a rock garden and a nature observation garden. Visitors can observe rocks, plants, and seasonal changes in the natural environment.
The opportunity to explore nature immediately outside the museum is one of its distinctive features. Even though the museum is located in an urban area of Sendai, its position within Dainohara Forest Park provides a peaceful environment for observing the natural world.
Award-Winning Architecture and Environmental Design
The Sendai City Science Museum has received several awards recognizing the quality of its architecture and its relationship with the surrounding environment.
1990: Tohoku Architectural Award, 11th edition – Works Award
1992: Sendai City Urban Landscape Award, 4th edition – Architecture and Urban Greening Division
1996: Public Building Award, 5th edition – Award of Excellence and Chairman of the Public Building Association Award
1998: Selected as one of Japan’s “100 Outstanding Public Buildings”
These awards reflect the museum’s architectural and environmental qualities as well as its role as a public educational facility.
Visitor Information
Admission
Adults: ¥500
High school students: ¥300
Elementary and junior high school students: ¥200
Discounted admission is available for groups of 30 or more. Depending on eligibility and applicable local programs such as the “Doko Demo Passport”, elementary and junior high school students may also be admitted free of charge.
Access
Location: Dainohara Forest Park, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
By subway: The museum is approximately a 5-minute walk from Asahigaoka Station on the Sendai Subway Namboku Line. Use Exit 1 East.
The museum is easily accessible by public transportation. Other nearby destinations include the Sendai Youth Cultural Center and Dainohara Forest Park, making it convenient to combine a museum visit with a walk through the surrounding area.
A Hands-On Introduction to Science in Sendai
The Sendai City Science Museum is a place where visitors can experience science by seeing, touching, observing, and experimenting. Its exhibits cover a broad range of subjects, from everyday science and engineering to natural history and disaster preparedness.
The renewed exhibition galleries offer fresh ways to explore scientific ideas, while the museum’s location within a forest park adds opportunities to learn from the natural environment.
For families traveling with children, the museum offers an enjoyable educational experience, while adults can also discover new perspectives on science, technology, nature, and disaster preparedness.
When sightseeing in Sendai, consider visiting HOKUSHU Sendai City Science Museum to explore the fascinating world of science through interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences.