Where should I go with my children during summer vacation?
When the long break begins, do you ever find yourself wondering about that?
When going out, you want your children to have learning experiences as well as fun. A special exhibition that answers that wish is being held at the Kurashiki Science Center.
This year’s (2025) summer vacation exhibition is “Wow★Exciting! Hands-on Space Park.”
It features a range of space-themed interactive exhibits, including robot operation and virtual racing.
I look forward to visiting the summer vacation exhibition with my children every year. I went to find out what kinds of experiences are on offer this year.
The information provided was current when this article was published in August 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the Kurashiki Science Center summer vacation exhibition “Wow★Exciting! Hands-on Space Park”?
The Kurashiki Science Center holds its summer vacation exhibition every year from around July 20 through the end of August.
The summer vacation exhibition has been running for about 30 years, featuring themes that capture children’s interest, such as dinosaurs and insects.
This year’s (2025) theme is “space.”
With exploration of the Moon and Mars advancing, space has become much more familiar to us. This summer vacation exhibition lets visitors experience the wonders and vastness of space through play.
Inside the venue
The venue has four hands-on activity areas and an exhibition area, including robot operation and virtual racing.
- Moon-Surface Floating Race
- Hands-on Operation of the SORA-Q Lunar Exploration Robot
- Hands-on Robot Arm Operation
- Swing-by Bowling
- Space Exhibition Corner
There are also exhibits on the history of space development and scale models of rockets, offering adults and children alike a chance to feel closer to space.
Moon-Surface Floating Race
An illustration of an astronaut that you color in is displayed on a large screen.
When you jump on the stepping mat, the astronaut on screen moves toward the Moon’s surface as if flying through a weightless environment.
Six people race at a time, and it’s exciting to see what place you’ll come in.
You won’t be able to take your eyes off the screen until the results are announced.
After the race, your colored picture is turned into a paper craft and given to you as a gift.
It’s also nice that you can take it home, make it, and play with it.
Hands-on Operation of the SORA-Q Lunar Exploration Robot
At this corner, you can use a tablet to operate the “SORA-Q” robot, which has actually worked on the Moon. You can move the small, remote-controlled-car-like SORA-Q freely forward, backward, left, and right.
Footage captured by SORA-Q appears on the tablet, giving you the feeling of exploring the Moon’s surface yourself.
Be sure to watch SORA-Q’s unique movements, too.
Hands-on Robot Arm Operation
At this corner, you can experience tasks performed by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Operate levers and buttons with both hands, use the robot arm to grab a capsule-toy ball, and move it from right to left.
Operating it is harder than it looks, and moving it as you intend is quite a challenge. It’s a little difficult, but so much fun that you’ll want to try again and again.
Adults are likely to get absorbed in it just as much as children.
Swing-by Bowling
Magnets make the ball curve and knock down the pins, letting you experience the principle of a “swing-by” through play. Since all you have to do is roll the ball, even young children can enjoy it easily.
Swing-by: a technique in which a spacecraft uses the gravity of a celestial body to change its trajectory
The ball suddenly curves partway along its path, so you may be surprised by its mysterious movement. Adults and children alike can experience the power of space.
Space Exhibition Corner
The corner features a wealth of valuable exhibits, including a timeline showing the history of Japan’s space development, rocket models, and the signature of Yuri Gagarin, the Soviet cosmonaut who became the first person to successfully travel into space.
The historical materials in particular are so fascinating that even adults will find themselves stopping to take a closer look.
It’s an opportunity not only to play, but also to deepen your understanding of space.
Interview with a staff member
We spoke with Nishimura Makoto of the Kurashiki Science Center about the appeal and highlights of the summer vacation exhibition.
The Kurashiki Science Center’s summer vacation exhibition is held every year. What is especially different about this year’s exhibition?
Nishimura (surname only)
In past years, the highlights were model exhibits such as a giant Hercules beetle and a moving Spinosaurus.
This year, that is not available; instead, the hands-on activity spaces where visitors can operate things themselves and have fun are exceptionally extensive. That is the main feature.
Is there a hands-on activity you especially recommend?
Nishimura
I would have to say SORA-Q.
This is a lunar exploration robot jointly developed by four organizations: JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Sony, Takara Tomy, and Doshisha University.
Photos of the lunar exploration spacecraft called SLIM made the news, but it was the lunar exploration robot SORA-Q that took those photos. JAXA staff operated it remotely from Earth to take them, and the highlight of this exhibit is that visitors can experience a simulation of that.
It is not something you will often find in an ordinary home, so please take this opportunity to try it out.
Can people who do not know much about space, or young children, enjoy it too?
Nishimura
Yes, absolutely.
The theme of our center’s exhibits is to get people interested in science through play.
We believe that experiences like “I don’t really understand it, but it was fun to touch it and make it move!” and questions like “Why does it move like this?” can lead to an interest in science.
We hope visitors will deepen their understanding of the things they wonder about by looking at the panel displays.
Who would you recommend it to?
Nishimura
After all, children will be the ones leading future space development. That is why this exhibition is primarily aimed at children.
This exhibition may inspire children to dream of “working in space” or spark a new interest, such as “Maybe I’ll observe the starry sky more closely.”
We would be delighted if this special exhibition helps children choose a future career.
Also, when grandparents see things like Gagarin’s autograph, they may be reminded fondly of those days.
People of all generations can enjoy it together with children.
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
Nishimura
I would be delighted if visitors could discover how fascinating space and science are through hands-on play.
There are also many valuable exhibits that will amaze even adults. Even if “the Osaka-Kansai Expo feels a little far away,” you can easily experience the wonders of space here.
We look forward to welcoming you and your whole family.
From the Writer
At the venue, I was impressed by how the staff kindly and patiently helped children who were having trouble operating the exhibits. Their warm desire for children to develop an interest in and curiosity about space through play really came across.
My child had fun using their whole body, repeatedly trying to operate the robot and jumping again and again in the lunar-gravity race. After playing, the children seemed to have naturally developed an interest in space, saying things like, “I want to ride a rocket!” and “I wonder if aliens really exist?”
I also learned several things for the first time through the panel displays, making it an educational experience for adults as well.
A summer vacation exhibition where you can play, explore, and learn with a sense of excitement.
Why not visit and make some family memories this summer?
Waku★Doki! Hands-on Space Park Information
| Name | Waku★Doki! Hands-on Space Park |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 19 (Sat)–August 31 (Sun), 2025 9:00 a.m.–5:15 p.m. |
| Location | 940 Koshinden, Fukuda-cho, Kurashiki City, inside Life Park |
| Admission (tax included) | Adults: 410 yen High school students: 100 yen Children (elementary and junior high school students): 100 yen Free admission for the following visitors: ・People aged 65 and over (proof of age required) ・People with disabilities and one accompanying caregiver (a disability certificate or similar is required. A presentation using a disability certificate app is also eligible for the discount) ・Preschool children (under elementary school age) (must be accompanied by an adult guardian) ・Free at all times: Elementary and junior high school students living in Kurashiki City who present an Ikiiki Passport (image) or student ID ・Free on weekends and public holidays only / free on weekdays as well in July and August: Elementary school students from municipalities belonging to the Takahashi River Basin Federation who present a Takahashi River Basin Passport (image) (Niimi / Takahashi / Soja / Ibara / Kasaoka / Asakuchi / Kurashiki / Yakage / Satosho / Hayashima) |
| Website | Life Park Kurashiki Kurashiki Science Center |
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