Exploring Miraikan with kids felt like stepping into the future, a world where curiosity sparks at every turn and even grown-ups can’t help but wonder. From the floating Earth that spins quietly above to the robots that wave back, this Miraikan family travel story captures the magic of discovery through Luca & Nico’s eyes. What started as a simple family day at Miraikan turned into a playful science museum experience in Tokyo, where every button pressed, planet explored, and silly laugh became part of their own kids perspective Miraikan adventure.
Planning your own visit to this futuristic Tokyo science museum? Don’t miss our National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) with Kids Guide for everything you need to know about tickets, exhibits, and family tips.
This post is part of our ongoing Luca & Nico’s Travel Journal series, inspired by our actual adventures, interactions, and discoveries in Japan with kids.
As you plan your trip to Tokyo, this guide is a great place to start! Begin with our Tokyo Family Travel Guide for the essentials on where to stay, how to get around, and what to eat. Then visit the Tokyo with Kids Hub to explore all our Tokyo guides, attractions, and age-specific tips in one place. If you’re considering sightseeing passes, our Tokyo Passes for Families guide breaks down the best options. For even more ideas, browse our Ultimate Guide to Family Attractions in Japan with Kids for the top castles, shrines, museums, aquariums, and theme parks.
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To give you a real sense of what it’s like to experience our Miraikan family travel story through young eyes, here’s what Luca and Nico had to say about our visit.
Luca’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
When we walked into Miraikan, the first thing I saw was the Earth, huge, glowing, and floating in the air. It didn’t look like a model. It looked real. The continents slowly turned, and I stood there for a long time just watching it move. Then we went to the “Old/Young” section. I thought it would be funny, but when it was my turn for the hearing game, I got nervous. There were people waiting, and I didn’t want to get it wrong. But Mama smiled and whispered, “It’s okay to guess.” I did, and when I heard the voice, I laughed, it wasn’t scary at all, it was fun. My favorite part was learning about space. I sat in the replica of the International Space Station, and for a second, I almost forgot it wasn’t real. The walls, the switches, it felt like we were floating up there too. Before we left, we walked past the big globe again. It was still floating, still glowing. It made me think about how small we are, but also how amazing it is that we get to learn about the whole world in one building.
~ Luca
Nico’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
Miraikan is like a giant robot playground! When we walked in, I looked up and shouted, “The Earth is floating!” It was HUGE, like it could roll right out of the ceiling and squish us (but in a fun way). We went to the “Old/Young” zone, and I tried the game where you move like an old person. I made Grandpa noises the whole time. Luca was serious about the hearing test, but I just yelled, “I hear it!” even when I didn’t, just to make him laugh. Then we saw the robots, my favorite! One of them waved at me, and I waved back, just in case it had feelings. Another one talked, and I asked if it could make snacks. It didn’t answer, so I think that means yes. The best part was pretending we were astronauts. I floated in slow motion inside the pretend space station, and Papa said, “Commander Nico, report to mission control!” I said, “Copy that, Papa!” When we left, the floating Earth was still there, spinning and glowing. I waved goodbye to it and told Luca, “Don’t worry, it’s watching over us.”
~ Nico
Luca & Nico’s Challenge
Before you leave, stand under the giant floating Earth and try to find where your home is. Can you trace the path your plane took to Japan? Bonus points if you can find it before the world spins away!
Parent Insight
Science museums like Miraikan remind us that learning doesn’t have to come from explanations, it can come from wonder. When kids get to touch, experiment, and laugh their way through discovery, curiosity becomes confidence. Letting them lead the way through exhibits, even if it means skipping a few “facts,” shows them that exploration itself is what makes science, and travel, so inspiring.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Miraikan
- The massive floating globe in the center of Miraikan is called the Geo-Cosmos. It’s made up of over 10,000 LED panels, showing real-time images of Earth from satellites.
- Miraikan’s name means “Future Museum,” and it was created to help people imagine what life could look like in the years ahead.
- The “Park of Aging” exhibit lets kids experience what it feels like to grow older, with games that test movement, balance, and hearing.
- In the “Hello, Robots!” area, families can meet and interact with different kinds of robots, from lifelike androids that blink and talk to robot arms that respond to movement and touch.
- You can also explore a replica of the International Space Station, where astronauts’ daily routines are shown in detail, from floating meals to how they sleep in zero gravity.
As you finalize your Tokyo plans, you might be choosing where to stay. Our Tokyo Hotel Guide highlights top-rated family options across every budget, whether you’re planning nights near Shibuya, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Disneyland, Harajuku, or the Odaiba bay area. For a broader look across Japan, you can also compare options in our Ultimate Guide to Family Hotels in Japan.
Once your hotel is sorted, dive into our Best Things to Do in Tokyo with Kids guide for the city’s top attractions, from Senso-ji Temple and Ueno Zoo to DisneySea and the always popular teamLab Planets. Don’t miss our Tokyo Indoor Activities Guide for rainy or hot days, or our Best Museums in Tokyo Guide for deeper cultural play. If you’re planning your schedule, our Tokyo 3-Day Itinerary balances iconic sights with kid-friendly hidden gems.
Until Next Time…
We came to Miraikan for robots and space, but left with something even bigger, a reminder that curiosity can take you anywhere. From watching the glowing Earth spin above us to laughing through science games that made us think, it felt like the future had opened its doors just for us. Next time, Luca says he’ll try the hearing game without worrying, and Nico says he’s bringing a snack for the robots, just in case they really can eat.
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~
