Where should we go during summer vacation with the kids?
When a long break begins, don't you find yourself worrying about that?
If you're going out, you want to provide not just play but also learning experiences. A special exhibition that responds to such desires is being held at the Kurashiki Science Center.
This year's (2025) summer vacation exhibition is titled "Exciting★Experience Space Park."
It features hands-on exhibits themed around space, including robot operation and virtual racing.
I personally look forward to visiting the summer vacation exhibition with the children every year. I have covered what kind of experiences can be had this year.
What is the Kurashiki Science Center Summer Vacation Exhibition "Exciting★Experience Space Park"?
The Kurashiki Science Center holds a summer vacation exhibition every year from around July 20 to the end of August.
The summer vacation exhibition has been held for about 30 years, featuring themes that capture children's interests, such as dinosaurs and insects.
This year's (2025) theme is "Space."
With advancements in exploration to the Moon and Mars, space has become a much closer presence. This summer vacation exhibition allows visitors to experience the wonders and grandeur of space through play.
Venue Overview
The venue features four experience spaces and exhibition spaces, including the operation of lunar exploration robots and virtual races.
- Lunar Floating Race
- Experience Operating the Lunar Exploration Robot "SORA-Q"
- Robot Arm Operation Experience
- Swing-by Bowling
- Space Exhibition Corner
Additionally, there are displays of the history of space development and scale models of rockets, allowing both adults and children to feel closer to space.
Lunar Floating Race
Your own colored astronaut illustration will be displayed on a large screen.
When you jump on the foot mat, the astronaut on the screen moves towards the Moon as if flying in zero gravity.
The race is conducted with six participants, and you will be excited to see what your ranking will be.
You won't be able to take your eyes off the results announcement.
After the race, your coloring will be turned into a paper craft and given to you.
Being able to make and play with it at home is one of the delightful points.
Experience Operating the Lunar Exploration Robot "SORA-Q"
This corner allows you to operate the robot "SORA-Q" that has actually worked on the lunar surface using a tablet. You can freely move the small remote-controlled car-like SORA-Q forward, backward, and sideways.
The tablet displays footage captured by SORA-Q, allowing you to feel as if you are exploring the lunar surface yourself.
Be sure to pay attention to SORA-Q's unique movements.
Robot Arm Operation Experience
This corner allows you to experience the tasks performed by astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). You operate levers and buttons with both hands to use a robot arm to grab a capsule toy and move it from right to left.
The operation is more difficult than it looks, and moving it as you intend is quite a challenge. Although the difficulty level is a bit high, it is an interesting experience that makes you want to try again and again.
Not only children but also adults will find themselves engrossed.
Swing-by Bowling
This corner allows you to experience the principle of "swing-by" while having fun, where the ball curves due to magnetic force to knock down pins. Since you only need to roll the ball, even small children can enjoy it easily.
Swing-by: A technique where a spacecraft uses the gravity of a celestial body to change its orbit
The ball you rolled may suddenly curve midway, which might surprise you with its mysterious movement. Both adults and children can experience the power of space.
Space Exhibition Corner
The space exhibition corner features a timeline of Japan's space development history, rocket models, and a signed book by Yuri Gagarin, the first human to successfully fly in space, among many valuable exhibits.
Especially the historical materials are so captivating that adults will find themselves stopping to take a closer look.
This exhibition provides an opportunity not only for play but also to deepen understanding of space.
Interview with the Person in Charge
I spoke with Nishimura Makoto from the Kurashiki Science Center about the attractions and highlights of the summer vacation exhibition.
The Kurashiki Science Center summer vacation exhibition is held every year, but what is particularly different this year?
Nishimura (no honorifics)
In previous years, the highlight was the large Hercules beetle and the moving Spinosaurus models.
This year, instead of that, there is a very rich experience space where you can operate and enjoy it yourself. That is the main feature.
Is there a particular experience that you would like to highlight?
Nishimura
It has to be “SORA-Q.”
This is a lunar exploration robot jointly developed by four organizations: JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Sony, Takara Tomy, and Doshisha University.
The photos of the lunar exploration vehicle SLIM became a hot topic in the news, but it was the lunar exploration robot SORA-Q that took those photos. A JAXA staff member is operating it remotely from Earth, and the highlight of this exhibition is that you can experience that simulation.
Since it is not something that is widely available in general households, please take this opportunity to try it out.
Can those who are not very knowledgeable about space or small children enjoy it?
Nishimura
Yes, of course.
The theme of our center's exhibition is to spark interest in science through play.
Experiences like “I didn’t really understand, but it was fun to touch and see it move!” and questions like “Why does it move like this?” can lead to an interest in science.
I would be happy if they could deepen their understanding while looking at the panel displays of things they are curious about.
Who would you recommend this to?
Nishimura
After all, the children will be the ones to carry on space development in the future. Therefore, this exhibition is primarily targeted at children.
Through this exhibition, they might develop dreams like “I want to work in space” or new interests like “Maybe I should observe the starry sky more.”
I would be happy if this exhibition could be a starting point for their career choices.
Also, signatures from Gagarin and others may evoke nostalgia for the grandparents' generation.
People of all ages can enjoy it together with children.
Finally, do you have a message for the readers?
Nishimura
I would be happy if you could learn about the fun of space and science through hands-on play.
Also, there are many valuable exhibits that will surprise even adults. Even if you think, “The Osaka-Kansai Expo is a bit far,” here you can easily experience the wonders of space.
We sincerely look forward to your visit with your family.
Conclusion
At the venue, it was impressive to see the staff gently and carefully teaching children who were struggling with the operation. Their warm desire for children to develop interest and curiosity about space through play was evident.
My child enjoyed using their whole body, repeatedly trying to operate the robot and jumping a lot in the lunar floating race. After playing, the children naturally seemed to develop an interest in space, saying things like, “I want to ride a rocket!” and “Do aliens really exist?”
I also learned many things for the first time through the panel displays, making it a valuable time for adults as well.
A summer vacation exhibition where you can play, touch, and learn with excitement.
How about visiting to create family memories this summer vacation?
Waku★Doki! Experience Space Park Data
| Name | Waku★Doki! Experience Space Park |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 19, 2025 (Saturday) to August 31, 2025 (Sunday) 9:00 AM to 5:15 PM |
| Location | 940 Koshinden, Fukudacho, Kurashiki City, inside Life Park |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Adults: 410 yen High school students: 100 yen Children (elementary and junior high school students): 100 yen The following individuals can use it for free: ・Those aged 65 and over (proof of age required) ・Persons with disabilities and one caregiver (a disability certificate is required. Discounts also apply if using a disability certificate app) ・Preschool children (under elementary school age) (must be accompanied by an adult guardian) ・Always free: Elementary and junior high school students in Kurashiki City who present an “Ikigai Passport” (image) or “Student Handbook” ・Free on weekends and holidays / free on weekdays in July and August: Elementary school students from municipalities that are members of the Takahashi River Basin Federation (Niimi, Takahashi, Soja, Ihara, Kasaoka, Asakuchi, Kurashiki, Yakage, Satosho, Hayashima) who present a “Takahashi River Basin Passport” (image) |
| Website | Life Park Kurashiki Kurashiki Science Center |
