This is our Mitsubishi Minatomirai family travel story, told through the eyes of two curious explorers. From Luca’s proud design of his own underwater vehicle to Nico’s wild pretend-driving adventures, here’s a peek at our kids perspective of Mitsubishi Minatomirai Museum and what it feels like to explore science as play. If you’re wondering how a family experience at Mitsubishi Minatomirai with children unfolds, this real Yokohama science museum story shows how rockets, submarines, and hands-on games turn into memories. Join us for a Yokohama technology museum experience with kids that’s as imaginative as it is educational.
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.
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To give you a real sense of what it’s like to experience our Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum family travel story through young eyes, here’s what Luca and Nico had to say about our visit.
Luca’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
The best part of the Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum was the computer program where I got to design my very own underwater vehicle. I gave it fins, cool lights, and even a propeller that looked like a fan from our house. After I finished, the screen showed my design floating across a giant wall, with everyone in the museum able to see it. I felt kind of proud, like an inventor. There was also this game where you had to pick the right tools to unscrew different types of screws. If you got them all done in time, you moved to the next level. I messed up a couple of times, but then I figured it out and got faster. It felt like solving a puzzle, but one that made my brain race. After that, we sat down to watch a movie about space rockets. The launch was so loud and bright that I imagined what it might feel like to be inside one. I didn’t expect the museum to make me feel like I was traveling to the ocean and the stars in the same day.
~ Luca
Nico’s Journal Entry
Dear Journal,
I drove EVERYTHING. There were submarines, airplanes, and even rocket controls. Okay, they were pretend, but I still grabbed the handles and shouted, “BLAST OFF!” Papa said I was going to crash into Mars, but I told him I was aiming for Saturn because the rings look like donuts. Then I got to stand behind this astronaut suit and take a photo. It looked like I was a real astronaut ready to go to space. I told Luca I was going to build a space pizza shop on the moon. The space movie was awesome. When the rocket launched, it was so loud it felt like it shook my brain. I pretended my head was blasting off too. Mama laughed, but I was serious. Next time, I’m bringing my astronaut helmet… and maybe a steering wheel for my rocket.
~ Nico
Luca & Nico’s Challenge
Can you design an underwater vehicle cooler than Luca’s and see it swim across the big wall? Or climb into one of the museum’s vehicles and pretend you’re blasting into space like Nico… just try not to crash into Saturn’s donut rings!
Parent Insight
Science museums like the Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum give kids a rare chance to take control of their own learning. From designing and testing to pretending and experimenting, these hands-on moments spark creativity and confidence. When children see their creations displayed or feel free to imagine, it turns learning into play… and play into discovery.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum
- The museum was opened in 1994 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to showcase real-world technology in space, land, and sea.
- Popular exhibits include life-sized vehicle models, airplane cockpits, a deep-sea submersible, and a space exploration zone.
- Kids can test their problem-solving skills with games that simulate engineering challenges like tool use and design.
- It’s located in Yokohama’s Minato Mirai district, one of the city’s most futuristic and family-friendly areas.
Until Next Time…
We might not have launched into space or sailed the deep sea for real, but the Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum gave us the chance to imagine it all. Luca left feeling like an inventor, Nico left convinced he’s an astronaut driver, and we all left with a spark of curiosity that reached far beyond the walls of the museum.
Stay curious, stay adventurous, and keep dreaming!
~ The LuNi Travels Family ~
