A New Immersive Space, Born from Sound, Visuals, and Fog
Extraordinary Encounters with Unexplored Stars and an Experience Enveloped in Clouds Starting Saturday, April 25
Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation will unveil two immersive installation works themed on planetary exploration and meteorological observation. Opening on Saturday, April 25, 2026, the works will be presented in the newly created immersive experience space, “Theater Room” and the renovated, “Innovation Hall,” both located on the 7th floor. The extraordinary sensation of journeying through unexplored stars, and the ever-changing world of clouds is built and sound rooted in scientific data, with fog, wind, and other immersive effects woven throughout. Through immersive experiences that create the feeling of truly entering into these worlds, visitors encounter the vast scale and grandeur of space and Earth.
Screened in the newly established Theater Room is “Voyage: Beyond the Unexplored,” a work themed on humanity’s exploration of planets yet to be reached. The space features a large, curved LED panel resembling a spaceship window and a dedicated viewing stage, creating an immersive environment of sound and visuals that lets visitors enjoy a spectacular space voyage through the stars, primarily within our solar system. Based on scientific data accumulated throughout the history of space exploration, the Sun and Mars are reconstructed using high-definition CG, achieving a sense of beauty that feels immediate and visceral, while maintaining scientific accuracy. Under the supervision of Watanabe Junichi (Distinguished Visiting Professor, Kyoto Sangyo University; Director, Koyama Space Science Institute), the work also visualizes the interior of Jupiter’s clouds and the surface landscape of Europa (one of Jupiter’s moons)—regions that no probe has yet reached. Guided by scientific knowledge, the unexplored universe is expanded into a stunning visual experience. Throughout the entire work, narration by musician Aoba Ichiko gently accompanies visitors, guiding them on a poetic voyage through space.
Meanwhile, the work to be screened in the renovated Innovation Hall on the 7th floor is, "Sky: Cloud Journey," which depicts the diverse appearances of clouds as revealed through meteorological research. This installation work portrays the grandeur and delicacy of clouds in three dimensions, combining music and visuals with wind and fog effects. In the screening space, 4K visuals extend across the front, back, left, right, and even the floor, and coupled with spatial audio effects. Visitors feel as though they have stepped inside the clouds. Under the supervision of Araki Kentaro (cloud researcher), the forms of clouds and their physical phenomena are meticulously depicted. Through the changing sky from dawn to dusk, visitors emerge with a deeper understanding of meteorological research, and their own discoveries along the way.
About the Works
“Voyage: Beyond the Unexplored”
An extraordinary visual experience journeying through humanity’s unexplored stars in a highly immersive theater space
This work invites visitors on a voyage through the universe, as revealed by astronomical observation and planetary exploration. A large, curved LED panel reminiscent of a spaceship window creates a powerful sense of immersion, allowing visitors to tour celestial bodies such as the Sun, Mars, and Jupiter as if aboard a sightseeing vessel. While gazing at planetary landscapes through the window, visitors descend to surfaces and venture into the interiors of planets, as extraordinary cosmic vistas unfold before them.
Recreating Celestial Bodies Based on Scientific Observation Data
Scenes reconstructed from scientific observation data are projected on a grand scale, including those based on NASA’s solar exploration mission, “Touch the Sun” and other cutting-edge exploration programs, as well as NASA’s Voyager probe, which has traveled farther into the universe than any other human-made object. Under the supervision of solar system researcher Watanabe Junichi, the work also visualizes unknown regions that no probe has yet reached, such as the interior of Jupiter’s clouds and the surface landscape of Europa (a moon of Jupiter).
Artistic Direction Sparks Curiosity About Unexplored Frontiers
The narration is performed by musician Aoba Ichiko, whose voice resonates throughout the theater as if speaking personally to each visitor. Visual design studio WOW has elevated various celestial phenomena into stunning visual experiences based on scientific materials. By weaving artistic expression into scientific representation, the work opens the door to curiosity about unexplored frontiers.
“Voyage: Beyond the Unexplored” Overview
Credits
- Title
- Voyage: Beyond the Unexplored
- Supervisor
- Watanabe Junichi (Distinguished Visiting Professor, Kyoto Sangyo University; Director, Koyama Space Science Institute)
- Narration
- Aoba Ichiko
- Planning, Direction & Production
- WOW
- Equipment Provider
- LED TOKYO CO., LTD.
- Project Management & Space Design
- Total Media Development Institute Co., Ltd. / Hosokawa Hiroshi
- Photography
- Hosokawa Hiroshi
- Planning & Production
- Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Screening Information
- Screening Days
-
Daily screenings
Screenings may be canceled due to operational reasons.
- Screening Times
-
Starts at :15 and :45 minutes past each hour (final session at 16:45).
Running time: approx. 15 min.
- Venue
- 7F Theater Room
- Capacity
- 15 people
- How to Watch
- Numbered ticket system, first-come-first-served basis (Tickets are issued at the Theater Room reception on the day of your visit)
- Admission
-
Accessible with a Permanent Exhibitions ticket
(Adults: 630 yen / 18 and under: 210 yen / Preschool children: Free)
Ticket sales close at 16:30
- Closed
-
Tuesdays (may be open on national holidays, during summer vacation, etc.)
Closed from October 1, 2026 to April 22, 2027 for facility renovation
“Sky: Cloud Journey”
An installation that reconstructs the diverse expressions of clouds in a fantastical yet scientific way
This 5-minute installation work is themed on the cycle of clouds, which constantly change form from dawn to dusk, enveloping visitors in music, visuals, fog, and wind. Beginning with a scene of descending onto a water surface shrouded in dawn mist, the perspective rises high into the sky. Visitors experience a sense of immersion, as though walking through a sea of clouds that stretches endlessly in every direction. Rich colors fill the entire space, including the light on the clouds, the blue of the sky, and the twilight hues that appear at dawn and sunset.
Faithfully Visualizing Diverse Meteorological Phenomena
A variety of meteorological phenomena appear, from sea fog to crepuscular rays (angel’s ladders), a sea of clouds, anvil clouds, and rainbows. Under the supervision of renowned cloud researcher Araki Kentaro, a scene in which the viewpoint plunges from the top of an anvil cloud into the interior of a cumulonimbus cloud faithfully depicts the physical process by which ice crystals grow into snow crystals, then transform into graupel and raindrops. In this scene, every single ice crystal has been meticulously rendered based on scientific data.
Enveloped in Sound and Visuals That Fill the Entire Space
The venue, with a ceiling height of approximately 8 meters, has been newly equipped with a 12.2-channel spatial audio system and 4K video projection covering the front, back, left, right, and floor. Sound and image fill the entire space, creating an enveloping immersive experience. During special installation sessions, fog and wind are also generated in the venue to further heighten the realism of the world within.
Fog effects are only available during special installation sessions.
“Sky: Cloud Journey” Overview
Credits
- Title
- Sky: Cloud Journey
- Supervisor
- Araki Kentaro (Cloud Researcher)
- Planning, Direction & Production
- WOW
- Project Management & Space Design
- Total Media Development Institute Co., Ltd. / Hosokawa Hiroshi
- Photography
- Hosokawa Hiroshi
- Planning & Production
- Miraikan - The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Screening Information
- Screening Days
-
Open on weekends & holidays, 10:00–17:00 (Weekday screenings may also occur)
Please check the website for screening dates.
- Screening Times
-
10:00–17:00 (loop screening; Running time: approx. 5 min. )
Special installation sessions with fog effects are scheduled.
- Venue
- 7F Innovation Hall
- How to Watch
-
No reservation required; free entry and exit
Visitors may need to wait during busy periods.
- Admission
- Free
- Closed
-
Tuesdays (may be open on national holidays, during summer vacation, etc.)
Closed from October 1, 2026 to April 22, 2027 for facility renovation