This exhibition commemorates the 70th anniversary of Japan’s Antarctic research program, spotlighting the observation activities, and challenges undertaken in Antarctica – a land of extremes, and still full of unknowns.
In 1956, the first Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE1) departed from Harumi Wharf in Tokyo aboard the Antarctic Research Vessel Soya, launching Japan’s Antarctic endeavor. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Japanese Antarctic observation.
Antarctica is one of the few places on Earth where the atmosphere and environment have been minimally impacted by human activity, making it possible to directly observe the planet’s condition. The data gathered there by Japanese expeditions over many years is invaluable for understanding the future of the global environment. Approximately 90% of the world’s ice exists on the Antarctic continent, and its melting will significantly affect our planet’s future. JARE continues the challenge of decoding climate change through on-site observations using cutting-edge science and technology.
In this exhibition, visitors become members of the, “Special Antarctic Research Expedition”. Through spectacular footage and hands-on exhibits unique to Antarctica, can enjoy learning about the diverse missions of JARE, while also reflecting on the future of our planet.
We invite you to visit this exhibition this summer, and think about the future of our Earth through the lens of Antarctica!
Exhibition Highlights
Touch Real Antarctic Ice
Visitors can actually touch “real Antarctic ice” with their own hands. The wondrous sensation of touching, right here and now, snow that fell thousands – or even tens of thousands – of years ago is something you cannot experience anywhere else. Feel the chill against your hands while closely observing the ice’s transparency and the tiny air bubbles trapped within.
Hands-on real Antarctic ice experience area
*Image is for illustration purposes
Collecting Antarctic ice
©National Institute of Polar Research
Deep Ice Core Display
This special display allows visitors to observe, up close, ice cores extracted from deep within the Antarctic ice sheet. These ice cores are precious samples rigorously safeguarded in the cold-storage room of the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), and it is extremely rare for them to be shown to the public. Sealed within the transparent ice are records of the air, temperature, and precipitation from when the snow fell tens of thousands of years ago, preserved in their original state and serving as traces of changes in the Earth’s environment. They are treated as “time capsules” for deciphering the planet's climate history. This exhibition also features the actual drill used for ice-core drilling. It is a must-see area for science enthusiasts, offering a real sense of the significance and dynamism of Antarctic observation.
Ice cores stored in the cold-storage room
©National Institute of Polar Research
Drill used for ice-core extraction
©National Institute of Polar Research
Experience a Blizzard!
An Antarctic blizzard is a weather phenomenon unique to polar regions, where strong winds whip up snow, obscuring visibility in an instant. Because surface snow is swept into the air, the surroundings turn completely white even without snowfall, creating conditions close to a “whiteout,” in which markers right in front of you become invisible. Blizzards are classified into Grades A, B, and C depending on wind speed and the degree of reduced visibility; severe blizzards are dangerous enough to force expeditions to suspend their activities. The practice of following ropes strung between buildings in Antarctica is a piece of hard-won wisdom to ensure safety during such near-whiteout conditions. This exhibition safely recreates those harsh conditions by separately simulating strong winds and poor visibility. It is an experience unique to this exhibition, allowing you to gain a firsthand sense of the kind of environment in which expeditions conduct their work.
Area where visitors can experience an Antarctic blizzard
*Image is for illustration purposes
©National Institute of Polar Research
Antarctica: A Meteorite Paradise?! Touch and Hold Real Meteorites!
On display are genuine meteorites found in Antarctica, often called a “holy land of meteorite collection.” In Antarctica, black meteorites stand out against the white ice and are therefore easy to spot; over time, glacial movement concentrates them in specific locations. As a result, an approximately, astonishing 60% of all meteorites registered with the Meteoritical Society were collected in Antarctica. JARE has also collected as many as 17,400 meteorites since 1969. This exhibition showcases over 30 carefully selected specimens from this collection, including iron meteorites visitors can touch and hold, as well as rare meteorites believed to have traveled from the Moon and Mars. Also on display is the actual “touchable Martian meteorite (slice)” that drew widespread attention at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. This area sparks intellectual curiosity by revealing the connection between Antarctica and outer space.
Iron meteorite collected in Antarctica
©National Institute of Polar Research
Meteorite thin-section photograph
©National Institute of Polar Research
Antarctic Wildlife
This area offers a multifaceted look at the ecology of penguins, seals, and other wildlife that inhabit Antarctica’s harsh environment, through specimen displays and an observation dome. Also featured is the “Penguin Census,” a long-term survey that records penguin numbers at nesting sites each year to track changes in breeding and population. It is an important monitoring activity currently conducted by expeditions, providing vital clues to understanding the current state of Antarctic ecosystems. In this area, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the world of these creatures by experiencing the survey methods firsthand.
Observation dome for close-up viewing of specimens
*Image is for illustration purposes
©National Institute of Polar Research
Geological Survey Area
©National Institute of Polar Research
Antarctic rocks preserve evidence from hundreds of millions of years ago, when Antarctica, together with Africa, South America, Australia, and India, formed the “Gondwana supercontinent.” Through collected rocks, fossils, and the tools used in fieldwork, visitors can explore the history and research of continental drift and enjoy unraveling the mysteries of Earth’s history as told by Antarctica’s land. Visitors can also experience the weight of rocks carried during surveys and observe rock samples up close.
Ocean Observation Area
©National Institute of Polar Research
This area introduces the latest research that is tracking changes in the Antarctic Ocean. A model of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) “MONACA” and an array of mooring observation instruments, delve into the secrets of the seabed and ice sheet. A mini activity where visitors use binoculars to spot moorings floating among the waves allows them to experience the thrill felt by researchers in the moment of discovery.
Atmospheric Observation Area
©National Institute of Polar Research
This area features radiosonde balloons and observation instruments used to study the Antarctic skies. Visitors can learn how the ozone hole and climate change are “decoded from the sky.”
Aurora Observation Area
Stunning aurora footage filmed at Syowa Station is shown here. Visitors can enjoy learning how curtains of light are formed and how space and Earth are connected.
Syowa Station Area
©Food and Agriculture Museum, Tokyo University of Agriculture
This area introduces the daily life of the expedition team living in Antarctica’s extreme environment. Learn about the station’s facilities, meals, and the many creative solutions found throughout life at the base, bringing the reality of “working in the polar regions” closer to home.
End of the Observation Experience
*Image is for illustration purposes
At the end of the exhibition area, a special “return path” awaits, where visitors walk bathed in aurora light that fills the entire space overhead. Shimmering green curtains illuminate the way, creating a dreamlike space. It feels as if you have the Antarctic polar night all to yourself. This dramatic spectacle, woven from video and light, brings the Antarctic observation experience to a beautiful, lingering close.
Mission Sheet
A “Mission Sheet” will be handed out at the exhibition entrance. As you explore the venue and take on missions related to Antarctic observation and research, you can actively enjoy the exhibition through its participatory design. Upon completing the missions, you will be certified as a member of the exhibition’s “Special Antarctic Research Expedition.”
Special Event
©National Institute of Polar Research
*Image is for illustration purposes
Get Real Antarctic Ice!
Hold a piece of “Earth’s record” that has been sleeping in Antarctica for thousands of years. Every visitor whose visitor number ends in 777 (e.g., the 1,777th visitor, the 20,777th visitor, etc.) will receive a piece of real Antarctic ice as a gift. When you float the ice in water, air that has been trapped for ages gently rises to the surface, and a crackling sound softly tells of the vast spans of time accumulated in Antarctica.
*The method for determining eligible recipients is subject to change.
Overview
- Title
- Special Exhibition "Antarctica"
- Period
- July 1 - September 27, 2026
- Open
- 10:00 - 17:00 (New admission is not allowed after 16:30)
- Closed
- July 7, 14, September 1, 8, 15
- Venue
- "Special Exhibition Zone" 1F, Miraikan
- Admission fee
-
Adult (ages 19+): 2,000 yen (1,800 yen)
Youth (ages 6-18): 1,300 yen (1,100 yen)
Child (ages 3-5): 900 yen (700 yen)
*The prices in parentheses ( ) are for advance tickets and groups of 8 or more. All prices include tax.
*Admission is free for children 2 years old and under.
*Free admission is available for holders of disability or beneficiary certificates and their attendant (limit of one person).
*This ticket also grants admission to Miraikan’s Permanent Exhibitions. Does not include admission to the Dome Theater (reservations required).
*For group reservations (8 or more people), please see"Group Visits".
- Contact Information
- +81-3-6820-4071 (for international calls)
- Organizers
- Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, National Institute of Polar Research, Dream Studio Co., Ltd., TV Asahi Corporation, The Asahi Shimbun Company
- Planning & Production
- Dream Studio Co., Ltd.
- Special Sponsor
- KDDI CORPORATION
- Sponsor
- SANKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD., MISAWA HOMES CO.,LTD., YANMAR HOLDINGS CO., LTD., Rengo Co., Ltd., Tokyo University of Agriculture
- Supported by
- Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Defense, Japan Meteorological Agency, Japan Coast Guard, Geographical Survey Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, Tachikawa City Board of Education,Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Inc., Yurikamome Inc.
- In cooperation with
- TOKYU RAILWAYS Co., Ltd.