Tsukuba Space Center

Tsukuba Space Center is a core JAXA facility that opened in 1972. On its vast site of about 530,000 square meters are state-of-the-art test facilities for space development. Part of the facility is open to the public and can be visited free of charge. After passing through the main gate, you’ll first find the outdoor “”Rocket Plaza,”” where a real H-II rocket is displayed; at 50 meters long, it’s an excellent spot for commemorative photos. Indoors, the “”Space Dome”” exhibition area explains the roles of artificial satellites and features many scale models: “”Hayabusa”” and “”Kaguya”” are displayed at half scale, while “”Hayabusa2”” is shown as a life-size model. Photography is allowed, and you can even take photos by popping your face through a replica astronaut suit. Access is by Kanto Railway bus from either JR Joban Line “”Arakawaoki Station”” or Tsukuba Express “”Tsukuba Station,”” getting off at “”National Institute for Materials Science”” and walking 1 minute. By car, free parking is available.