Tsukuba City in Ibaraki Prefecture is renowned as an academic and research hub, yet it has also experienced continuous population growth for over 30 years, making it a popular destination as a city rich in nature and conducive to child-rearing and education.
With numerous facilities tailored for children, Tsukuba City caters to families visiting for leisure. Here are three recommended spots for families exploring the city with kids.
1. Tsukuba Expo Center
The Tsukuba Expo Center is a science museum showcasing exhibitions, workshops, the world’s largest planetarium, and life-size models of rockets. Each exhibit not only offers visual experiences but also provides hands-on opportunities with numerous interactive devices, stimulating the curiosity of children at every turn.
Moreover, boasting the world’s largest size, the planetarium offers not only programs tailored for adults but also shows designed for children featuring animated characters.
Outdoors, in addition to the life-size symbolic rocket, there are playground equipment for younger children, allowing for ample playtime on sunny days. Furthermore, since most of the facilities are indoors, visitors can enjoy their time even on rainy days without worries.
Facility Information
Opening Hours
9:50 AM to 5:00 PM *Subject to seasonal variations
Closed Days
Every Monday (Closed the following weekday if Monday is a public holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
*Occasional closures may occur
Admission Fees
Adults (18 years and older): ¥500
Children (4 to high school students): ¥250
Admission with Planetarium:
Adults ¥1,000
Children ¥500
Directions
Train: 5-minute walk from Tsukuba Station.
Official Website
つくばエキスポセンター (expocenter.or.jp)
2. Mt.Tsukuba
Mount Tsukuba, despite being one of Japan’s ‘Hundred Famous Mountains’ with relatively low elevation, is conveniently located, making it an accessible hiking destination even for children, especially from the heart of Tokyo. Furthermore, with the availability of a ropeway and cable car, even young children who may not be able to hike yet can experience the thrill of ascending a mountain.
At the base of the cable car, there’s the Tsukuba Shrine, while halfway up the mountain lies the Tsukuba Mountain Hot Springs, making it an ideal place to unwind and relax after a day of exploration.
Information
Directions
Train:You can take the Tsukuba Express from Akihabara Station to Tsukuba Station. From there, you can catch a shuttle bus to either the entrance of Mount Tsukuba Shrine or Tsutsuji-ga-oka. The bus fares are 740 yen to the entrance of Mount Tsukuba Shrine and 900 yen to Tsutsuji-ga-oka.
Official Website
筑波山 | 観光情報 | 一般社団法人つくば観光コンベンション協会 (ttca.jp)
3. Tsukuba Space Center
The Tsukuba Space Center is a facility where visitors can directly experience the field of space development, making it a popular tourist spot for both children and adults fascinated by space. Admission is free, and there are exhibits of actual rockets as well as spots where visitors can take photos feeling like they’re wearing space suits.
With advance booking, visitors can also take paid tours with guides on buses provided by JAXA, offering a more in-depth exploration experience.
Facility Information
Opening Hours
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Tour Reception: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM)
Closed Days
Irregular closures, Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec 29 to Jan 3), Facility inspection days, etc.
Admission Fees
Free (Guided tours are available for a fee for individuals aged 18 and above)
Directions
Train: Get off at “National Institute for Materials Science” bus stop from Tsukuba Station by Tsukuba Express / Arakawa-oki Station by JR Joban-line, 1 minute walk
Official Website
筑波宇宙センター見学のご案内 (jaxa.jp)
