[2025 Tsukuba Attraction] Travel Guide for Tsukuba Space Center (Updated Oct)

📍JAXA Tsukuba Space Center Address: 2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 305-0047, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Tsukuba Space Center Exhibition Hall I went to the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center! I discovered this facility while sightseeing in Tsukuba City for another reason, and surprisingly, the tour is free! 😳 I spent about an hour there and had a great time learning about space! The center features a variety of exhibits, including satellite development, rocket research, and the operation of the International Space Station "Kibo." You can get up close and personal with real rocket engines, space suits, and satellite models. The life-size model of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" is particularly impressive, making it a popular spot for experiencing the life of an astronaut. By booking a guided tour, you can also learn more about the research and testing facilities. This center was fully booked on the day, so I recommend booking early. It's guaranteed to be fun for everyone, from children to adults! #TravelWithPochiKatsu

Ibaraki Prefecture [JAXA Tsukuba Space Center] Feel the dream and romance of space! 🌏 The other day, I visited the JAXA Tsukuba Space Center in Ibaraki Prefecture! The vast grounds are home to various facilities supporting Japan's space development, some of which are open to the public. ✨️ You can also sign up for a reservation-only tour and sneak into facilities that are normally off-limits! Here's a look at the tour and the space center. 🚀 ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° 1. Tour (reservations required) You can see areas that are only accessible on tours, including the control room of the International Space Station's "Kibo" module. More details below. ♪ 2. Space Dome Exhibition Hall You can get a close-up look at a real rocket engine, enter a life-size model of "Kibo," and experience space development firsthand. Let's learn about the history of development through the exhibits♪ 💡Free exhibition guides are available every 1-2 hours. 　An alumnus gave a commentary. 🎧️The official website also has audio commentaries. 　It's fun to listen to them while you're walking around. 3. Rocket Plaza See the real H-II rocket! It's a 50m rocket, and when standing upright, it would be as tall as the Research and Development Promotion Building behind it. 4. Planet Cube (Goods Shop) Sells space food, JAXA merchandise, and collaboration goods. The blank jigsaw puzzles that astronauts actually use in training were impressive!🌟 They also have NASA T-shirts and cute children's jumpsuits. By the way, I ended up buying some cute merchandise featuring the cat astronaut "NYASA"... 5. Cafeteria Apparently, the employee cafeteria is open on weekdays only! It's located inside the security area, so you'll need to check in at the reception desk. ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° [About the Tour] ▪️Tour Overview This guided tour was led by knowledgeable staff on a bus, taking us around the center's facilities. They provided easy-to-understand explanations about the roles of the ISS and satellites. The most impressive part was the control room. It's connected to Kibo on the International Space Station, and we were able to see the actual staff working there and get real-time footage of space through glass, which was very moving. ▪️Reservations Reservations open one month in advance, starting at midnight on the 1st. Example: Visit on August 23rd → Reservations open at midnight on July 1st. I visited at exactly midnight and was able to make a reservation without any problems. Please note that reservations fill up quickly on weekends! ▪️Other Price: ¥500 Time: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (approx. 70 minutes) Capacity: 40 people *Please arrive at reception 30 minutes before the tour. *Don't forget to bring photo ID. ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° ° This time, I took the express bus from Tokyo Station. 🚌 I boarded the 9:30 AM bus on Saturday and arrived at the bus stop right in front of JAXA in an hour. Reservations are not accepted, but there were only six passengers, so there was no need to worry. I stayed there for about three hours, including the tour. I experienced the cutting edge of space development and felt the dreams and romance of space. 🌟 ————————————————— 📍 2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, 305-8505 🕐️ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Please check the official website for closing dates. 💰️ Free 🚗 Parking available 🗺️ Access 🚌 1 hour by highway bus from Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit Bus Terminal, Kanto Railroad Bus Tsukuba Get off at "Namiki 1-Chome" 🚃 JR Arakawaoki Station Take the Kantetsu Bus bound for Tsukuba University Central or Tsukuba Center Get off at "National Institute for Materials Science" and walk 1 minute 🚃 Tsukuba Express Tsukuba Station Take the Kantetsu Bus bound for Arakawaoki Station Get off at "National Institute for Materials Science" 1-minute walk ※The employee cafeteria is open only on weekdays. Eating is generally prohibited inside the building. There aren't many restaurants within walking distance. I had lunch at the cafe "TABLE," which is probably the closest, a 15-minute walk away. ♪ ————————————————— #JAXA #JAXATsukubaSpaceCenter #Space #SpaceCenter #Visit #SpaceDevelopment #Rocket #Satellite #Travel #Sightseeing #Ibaraki #Tsukuba #SpaceDome #SpaceFood #JapanTravelGuide

Tours require advance reservations and fees, but if you love space, you should definitely go at least once! You can see the actual work of the people working there, and the tour with detailed explanations and experiences is sure to satisfy you! You can check in advance whether there is a foreign language translation, but even if there isn't, each video has the minimum necessary subtitles, so don't worry. There is also a souvenir corner and photo time, so you can see and feel the romantic space with your own eyes!! #space #spacecenter #jaxa