Nakaya Ukichiro Snow Science Museum

The Nakaya Ukichiro Snow Science Museum in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture, commemorates Ukichiro Nakaya (1900-1962), a pioneering glaciologist and science communicator. Born in Kaga, Nakaya was the first person in the world to create artificial snow in 1936. After graduating from Tokyo Imperial University in 1925, he became an assistant professor at Hokkaido University in 1930, where abundant natural snowfall inspired his groundbreaking research. He created over 3,000 photographic plates of snow crystals, classifying them into seven major types.

The museum opened in 1994 in Nakaya's hometown of Katayamazu to inspire scientific curiosity among young people. Designed by renowned architect Arata Isozaki, the building features three interconnected hexagonal towers that reference the molecular structure of snow crystals. The museum sits beside Lake Shibayama with views of Mount Haku, creating a fitting natural backdrop for exploring the science of snow and ice.

Visitors experience Nakaya's research through photographs, laboratory equipment, and live demonstrations. Staff conduct experiments showing supercooled water freezing instantly, diamond dust formation, and the creation of ice pendants shaped like snowflakes. The museum also features Tyndall flower demonstrations, where light reveals intricate melt patterns inside ice blocks. Outside, the Greenland Stone Garden contains 60 tons of stones from Greenland where Nakaya conducted his final research, with artificial mist recreating glacial fog. The museum's cafe, Fuyu no Hana (Winter Flower), overlooks the lake and serves refreshments in traditional Kutani ware.

The museum is located 25 minutes by local bus from JR Kaga Onsen Station; get off at 'Yuki no Kagakukan Mae' stop, then walk 1 minute. Free parking is available. Admission costs ¥560 for adults, while high school students and younger visitors enter free. Most displays and demonstrations are in Japanese, though an introductory film offers English subtitles and some exhibits have English titles.