Last updated March 31, 2024
The route of Stars, Universe and Enchantment
33. Mitaka, Chofu
In Mitaka is located the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and in Chofu the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), two of the most representative Japanese research facilities. This is a course where you can let run your imagination about the stars and the universe while being enraptured by the music of 100 years ago.
- Tama
- Culture/History
- Nature
Route
Select a spot to see details such as tourist information and barrier-free information.
- Start JRMusashi Sakai Station
About 1 min. on foot
About 50 meters - Bus Stop Odakyu Bus境91Musashi Sakai Station South Exit Bus Stop
About 16 minutes by bus
11th stop - Bus Stop Odakyu Bus境91Tenmondai-mae Bus Stop
About 2 min. on foot
About 80 meters - Spot1 National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
On foot
- Spot2 Mitaka Picture-book House in the Astronomical Observatory Forest
About 9 min. on foot
About 550 meters - Bus Stop Odakyu Bus 鷹52Osawa Jujiro Bus Stop
About 8 minutes by bus
6th stop - Bus Stop Odakyu Bus鷹52Kami-renjaku 8chome Bus Stop
About 11 min. on foot
About 650 meters - Spot3 JAXA Chofu Aerospace Center Exhibit Hall
About 3 min. on foot
About 170 meters - Bus Stop Odakyu Bus 鷹65Koken-mae Bus Stop
About 8 minutes by bus
6th stop - Bus Stop Odakyu Bus鷹65Hosenji-mae Bus Stop
About 6 min. on foot
About 350 meters - Spot4 Information Space of Astronomy and Science
About 8 min. on foot
About 450 meters - Spot5 Mitaka Music Box Museum
About 5 min. on foot
About 300 meters - Goal JRMitaka Station
- Information used in the creation of this website was current as of January 2023
- Indicated route travel times are calculated based on a speed of about 60 meters/minute
Route Details
There is also useful information for when you actually visit a spot, such as the time required, details on restrooms, and travel time between spots.
Explanation of PictogramsNote Items are indicated in dark blue if applicable.
-
- Wheelchair-accessible restroom (located within the ticket gates at train and subway stations unless noted otherwise)
-
- Nursing area (with diaper-changing table, unless noted otherwise)
-
- Written communication possible through communication boards or paper
-
- Osotomate-friendly facility
-
- Parking for the impaired
-
- Explanations, etc. available through tactile maps or in Braille
-
Start JR Musashi Sakai Station
The course starts at JR Musashi Sakai Station.
For station details, refer to the JR East website. -
About 1 min. on foot
About 50 meters Odakyu Bus境91 Musashi Sakai Station South Exit Bus Stop
About 16 minutes by bus
11th stop Odakyu Bus境91 Tenmondai-mae Bus Stop
About 2 min. on foot
About 80 meters -
Spot1 National Astronomical Observatory of Japan About 1 hour
The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan is the Center that plays the central role in Japan´s Astronomy research.It´s a Research Institute to contribute to the development of astronomy, using both observational and theoretical approach, but it is also partially open to public. You can visit several historic installations related to the astronomy research, and also the 4D2U (the spatial three dimensions and the time as 4th dimension are combined digitally) Dome Theater (three times per month, reservations required).
Accessibility Information
The grounds are almost flat. There are many historical structures in the campus, therefore several old buildings are not wheelchair accessible. A tour guidebook is available in 5 languages and Braille. Visitors can access an audio guide to the facilities via smartphone or tablet, and there is also sign language guide.
Restroom Information
─
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0422-34-3600
- Address
- 2-21-1 Osawa, Mitaka-shi
- Fee
- free (No reservation needed; please sign in at the Guard House)
- Hours
- 10:00–17:00 (admission until 16:30)
- Closed days
- None (except in case of revisions or reparations in the building)
- Official Website
- https://www.nao.ac.jp/en/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
Facilities like the Observatory History Museum and the 4D2U Dome Theater are very popular. Please, don´t miss them.
-
On foot
Travel Tips The grounds are almost flat and you can go smoothly on wheelchair. There are many historical structures in the campus, but some of the older ones had steps and are not wheelchair accessible. "Mitaka Picture-book House in the Astronomical Observatory Forest" is on the same site. You can move on foot by talking to the Guard House. -
Spot2 Mitaka Picture-book House in the Astronomical Observatory Forest About 1 hour
The House is an exhibition facility opened with the aim of preserve and use the Taisho-era building that originally housed leading astronomers’ offices. Inside the facility there is a reading room with about 3,000 picture-books and the House also offers hands-on exhibitions to expand interest in astronomy through picture-books. In addition, at the courtyard of the House surrounded by rich nature, it is possible to enjoy old fashioned games.
Accessibility Information
There are slopes at the entrance of the building and in the exit to the courtyard. The house floors are flat, and the building is wheelchair accessible. At the reception there are tools for writing communication. There is a multi-purpose toilet and a nursery room. Although not exclusively for wheelchair users, there is a paid parking lot for the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (\500 for 3 hours) next to the facility.
Restroom Information
There is a "everyone’s restroom" that can be used by people in wheelchairs and can be used to change diapers.
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0422-39-3401
- Address
- 2-21-3 Osawa, Mitaka-shi, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
- Fee
- free
- Hours
- 10:00–17:00
- Closed days
- Tuesday (and others days of maintenance)
- Official Website
- https://www.city.mitaka.lg.jp.e.nf.hp.transer.com/ehon/index.html
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
Please enjoy our Picture-books at the courtyard surrounded by Nature. We are willing to receive your visit.
-
About 9 min. on foot
About 550 meters Odakyu Bus 鷹52 Osawa Jujiro Bus Stop
About 8 minutes by bus
6th stop Odakyu Bus鷹52 Kami-renjaku 8chome Bus Stop
About 11 min. on foot
About 650 meters -
Spot3 JAXA Chofu Aerospace Center Exhibit Hall About 30 minutes
The Chofu Aerospace Center Exhibit Hall introduces the past and ongoing major Japanese research and development activities on aeronautical and space sciences. Visitors can experience aerospace technology in its entirety.
Accessibility Information
Wheelchair accessible toilet available. Ostomate-friendly toilet located in a separate building. The cockpit exhibited outside the building has steps, so wheelchair users can not go inside.
Restroom Information
─
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- Contacts only through the web page
https://www.aero.jaxa.jp/eng/about/inquiry/index.php - Address
- 7-44-1 Jindaiji Higashi-machi, Chofu-shi
- Fee
- Free
- Hours
- 10:00-17:00
- Closed days
- Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays
- Official Website
- https://global.jaxa.jp/about/centers/cac/tour.html#tab_area
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
-
About 3min. on foot
About 170 meters Odakyu Bus 鷹65 Koken-mae Bus Stop
About 8 minutes by bus
6th stop Odakyu Bus 鷹65 Hosenji-mae Bus Stop
About 6 min. on foot
About 350 meters -
Spot4 Information Space of Astronomy and Science About 10 minutes
Facility conceived as a base for regional revitalization suitable for “Mitaka, the town with an astronomical observatory”. There, the city, in cooperation with the National Astronomical Observatory, offers a wide range of information about sciences and astronomy, mainly through panel exhibitions.
Accessibility Information
The facility is all located on the 1st floor. There are two steps at the entrance, so please ask the staff for assistance.
Restroom Information
─
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0422-26-9951
- Address
- Mitaka Central Building 1F, 3-28-20 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka-shi
- Fee
- free
- Hours
- 11:00–18:30
- Closed days
- Mondays, Tuesdays and National Holidays
- Official Website
- https://mitakatkjs.mall.mitaka.ne.jp/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
-
About 8 min. on foot
About 450 meters -
Spot5 Mitaka Music Box Museum About 1 hour
In addition to the exhibition of antique music boxes made more than 100 years ago, you can also enjoy some of their performances. Beside the music boxes, there are also pianolas, automated dolls, barrel organs and other items. A healing place to feel and enjoy the gentle sounds created by the craftsmen of the past.
Accessibility Information
The Museum has elevator. There is no wheelchair accessible toilet. The Museum can be toured in a wheelchair.
Restroom Information
─
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0422-26-8121
- Address
- Polyphony Mitaka 3F, 2-2-5 Kamirenjaku, Mitaka-shi
- Fee
- ¥800 (Discounts for disability handbook holders and one caregiver).
- Hours
- 11:00– 7:00. Reservation required
- Closed days
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Official Website
- http://mitakaorgel.jp/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
All the music boxes on display are operative. Refresh your hearth with their clear tones.
-
About 5 min. on foot
About 300 meters -
Goal JR Mitaka Station
The course finishes at JR Mitaka Station.
For station details, refer to the JR East website.
Sightseeing spots around Mitaka, Chofu
-
Spot6 ICU Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum
The ICU Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum was opened in June, 1982. It was built to commemorate the contribution made by the late Dr. Hachiro Yuasa to ICU, in particular his great effort in founding and nurturing the university through its first quarter of a century, and serving as its first president.
The main collection of the museum consists of folk art materials from Japan and other parts of the world assembled by Dr. Yuasa, some of the prehistoric materials excavated from the ICU campus, and other works of art and historical objects. One goal of the museum is to enrich the collections, and changes in exhibitions will include new acquisitions.Accessibility Information
The facility is barrier-free. Wheelchair accessible slopes and wheelchair accessible elevator. Wheelchairs available for loan.
Restroom Information
─
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0422-33-3340
- Address
- 3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka-shi
- Fee
- Free
- Hours
- 13:00-17:00
- Closed days
- Friday to Monday, public holidays, exhibition preparation period
- Official Website
- https://subsites.icu.ac.jp/yuasa_museum/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
-
Spot7 Mitaka City Osawa no Sato Kominka
A spacious farm house built in 1902 with the typical Japanese four rooms structure. You can see also a traditional wasabi field that evokes the days when it was cultivated at the farm.
Accessibility Information
There is a wheelchair-accessible restroom.
Restroom Information
─
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0422-29-9862 (Mitaka City, Sports and Culture Department Lifelong Learning Promotion Section)
- Address
- 2-17-3 Osawa, Mitaka-shi
- Fee
- ¥200 (common ticket with Osawa no Sato management Farm house)
- Hours
- 10:00-17:00 (until 16:00 from Nov to Mar)
- Closed days
- Tuesdays (in case of National Holidays, the following day)
- Official Website
- https://www.city.mitaka.lg.jp/c_service/076/076945.html
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
-
Spot8 Mitaka City Gallery of Art
(Photo courtesy of Mitaka City Spots and Culture Foundation)
This Museum holds special exhibits two or three times a year covering a wide variety of genres, mainly spotlighting modern to contemporary art. The periods without special exhibits, the Museum is also a venue for city residents to display their works of art and shows its collection of writer Osamu Dazai related items.Accessibility Information
Within the Multi-purpose toilet there is a diaper-changing table. The nursery room is located at the Coral 4th Floor.
Restroom Information
─
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0422-79-0033
- Address
- CORAL 5F, 3-35-1 Shimorenjaku, mitaka-shi
- Fee
- *Varies by exhibition.
- Hours
- 10:00-20:00 (admission until 19:30)
*Varies by exhibition. - Closed days
- Mondays (If Monday is a public holiday, the museum will be open and closed the following day.)
*There are temporary closures such as exhibition changes. - Official Website
- https://mitaka-sportsandculture.or.jp/gallery/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.
-
Spot9 MUSASHINO HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Warning: Undefined array key "ふりがな" in /var/sites/site2SR0T001/htdocs/tourism/accessible/en/route_section.php on line 7
The Museum displays stone tools and ceramics from the Stone Age and the Jomon Period together with documents and other items of early modern times. You can learn there about the History and Culture of Musashino region through old documents from the Edo Period and stone tools 30.000 years old.
Accessibility Information
There are wheelchair accessible toilet, slopes and nursery room. Wheelchairs available for loan.
Restroom Information
─
Facility Information
- Telephone number
- 0422-53-1811
- Address
- 5-15-5 Sakai, Musashino-shi
- Fee
- Free
- Hours
- 9:30-17:00
- Closed days
- Fridays, national holidays, special closed days
- Official Website
- https://www.city.musashino.lg.jp/heiwa_bunka_sports/furusatorekishikan/
*This information was current as of January 2024. Contact individual facilities to confirm details.