Tsukuba Space Center

TOURS (Guided tours/Adcance booking)

The TKSC offers guided facility tours to look around part of Japan's largest aerospace development facilities. We have three tour courses: the astronaut course, the space station course, and the launch vehicle course.
The tours are free of charge.


[Reservations]

Prior reservations are required for facility tours.
Please call up the tour office of the Tsukuba Space Center (029-868-2023, or +81-29-868-2023 from overseas) as soon as you decide when to visit us.


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  • Please be aware that the tour courses may be changed or the tours may be cancelled as various R&D and test activities are in progress at the Tsukuba Space Center.
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  • The tours are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call us up first to check availability.
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  • Only those attending the tour can make the reservation.
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  • We cannot accept reservation requests to attend the tour only when it rains.
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  • There are some requirements for the participants of the space station course such as presenting your ID to JAXA for confirmation. For more details, please call the above telephone number.

Tours:

- Astronaut Course (The course may be changed due to facility use)

After showing an introductory video of the TKSC, a guide will show you the Space Dome and astronaut training area.

[Guided Facility Tour Schedule]

The tour is available weekday except when a special event is held, during New Year holidays (between Dec. 29 thru Jan.3), facility inspection days, and Mondays. (We offer the tour on Mondays during the summer vacation period.)


[Starting Times for Tours]

10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.

[Tour Length]

1hr 15 min


[Number of Participants]

1 - 80 max.


- Space Station Course (The course may be changed due to facility use)

After showing an introductory video of the TKSC, a guide will show you the Space Dome and the operation and control room of the Kibo.
At the Tsukuba Space Center, JAXA operates and controls the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo," which is attached to the International Space Station, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can witness the operation in real time by taking this tour.
As the Kibo Control Room is designated as a higher security area than other tour facilities, there are some points for tour participants to be aware of, such as presenting your ID to JAXA for confirmation. For more details, please call the tour office (029-868-2023, or +81-29-868-2023 from overseas.) (Those who participate in a general tour do not have to present your ID.)
The tour may be suspended temporarily due to Kibo’s mission schedule and other reasons. Please make a reservation well ahead of time.

[Guided Facility Tour Schedule]

The tour is available weekday except when a special event is held, during New Year holidays (between Dec. 29 thru Jan.3), facility inspection days, and Mondays. (We offer the tour on Mondays during the summer vacation period.)


[Starting Times for Tours]

2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.

[Tour Length]

1hr 15 min


[Number of Participants]

1 - 40 max.


- Launch Vehicle Course

After showing an introductory video of the TKSC, a guide will show you the Space Dome and take you to the launch vehicle acoustic experience.

[Guided Facility Tour Schedule]

The tour is available on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (except event days, during New Year holidays (between Dec. 29 thru Jan. 3) and facility inspection days.)


[Starting Times for Tours]

10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.

[Tour Length]

1hr 15 min


[Number of Participants]

1 - 80 max.



[Tour Course]


TKSC introductory video
1.TKSC introductory video

Before going out on the tour, the video gives you an outline of the center. It will introduce the actual operations at the TKSC, while JAXA employees in charge of each field explain their work.

Space Dome
2. Exhibition Hall "Space Dome"

Visitors are guided to the Exhibition Hall with explanations. After an introduction about JAXA and the TKSC, they take a look at 1/20th models of launch vehicles from the N-I Launch Vehicle to the latest model, H-IIB Launch Vehicle, and a real-size satellite. They can enter a mockup of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" of the International Space Station (ISS) to look around its inside.

Astronaut Course
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Astronaut Training Area
We will take you to the facility for astronaut basic training.

Spase Station Course
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Tour to the Kibo's operation and control room

Launch Vehicle Course
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Launch vehicle acoustic experience
You will experience the simulated explosive sound of a rocket launch.


[Kibo Control Room]
In the Kibo Control room, JAXA monitors the equipment and experiment devices on the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo," sends control commands, communicates with astronauts, corresponds with the control centers of other countries’ organizations who are participating in the ISS project such as NASA, and copes with any anomalies.
The operation at the Control room is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is carried out by over 50 operators in three shifts led by the fright director as the general commander.


Important Notice for Tours

  • Do not damage any exhibited items or enter any restricted areas.
  • You can neither drink nor eat in the Exhibition Hall "Space Dome". Please use the lounge.
  • If you wish to use the JAXA cafeteria, you need to contact the cafeteria beforehand. (The cafeteria is open only on weekdays.) To use the cafeteria, please directly contact it. (Tel: +81-50-3362-4736)
  • No smoking is allowed in the buildings. There are designated smoking areas.
  • We do not accept visitors under the influence of alcohol.
  • Follow the guide's instructions during tours.
  • A shop for JAXA goods, souvenirs, stamps and other small gifts is located in the Planet Cube.
  • Please be advised that the Tsukuba Space Center is not responsible for any accidents on site.