What are the museum's opening hours and when is it closed?

The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last entry at 4:30 PM. It is closed every Wednesday (though it remains open if Wednesday falls on a national holiday) and during New Year's holidays. Demonstrations typically run at scheduled times throughout the day at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, and 16:00, though these times may vary.

How much does admission cost?

Admission costs ¥560 for adults. Senior citizens (65+) receive a discount at ¥280, while high school students and younger visitors enter free of charge. Visitors with a JAF membership card can receive an additional discount (approximately ¥100 off the standard adult price).

What hands-on activities can visitors experience?

Visitors can participate in several interactive experiments based on Nakaya's research. The most popular activities include creating diamond dust (tiny ice crystals suspended in air), making ice pendants shaped like snowflakes, and observing Tyndall flower formations where intricate patterns appear inside melting ice blocks. Staff members conduct demonstrations of supercooled water freezing instantly and other phenomena related to snow and ice formation. Most visitors spend between 1-3 hours exploring the exhibits and participating in experiments.

Is the museum accessible for English-speaking visitors?

The museum primarily presents information in Japanese, which may limit the experience for non-Japanese speakers. However, the introductory film about Nakaya's life and work includes English subtitles, and some exhibits feature English titles. The hands-on experiments are largely visual and can be enjoyed regardless of language ability. The staff are helpful, though English communication may be limited.

How do I get to the museum from Kaga Onsen Station?

From JR Kaga Onsen Station, take a local bus heading toward Katayamazu Onsen area. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes. Get off at the 'Yuki no Kagakukan Mae' bus stop, which is just a 1-minute walk from the museum entrance. Free parking is available for those arriving by car. The museum is located near Katayamazu Onsen, making it convenient to combine with a visit to the hot spring resort area.

이시카와현

Nakaya Ukichiro Snow Science Museum

4.3 (645)Tourist AttractionMuseumPoint Of InterestEstablishment

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.

Phone

+81 761-75-3323

Website

yukinokagakukan.kagashi-ss.com

The area

Address

I-イ−１０６ Ushiozumachi, Kaga, Ishikawa 922-0411 일본

Phone

+81 761-75-3323

Website

yukinokagakukan.kagashi-ss.com

What other travelers are saying about Nakaya Ukichiro Snow Science Museum

레이와 6년 8월 평일에 방문. 가타야마즈 출신의 홋카이도 대학 이학부 교수·나카타니 우요시로 박사의 공적을 소개하는 전시나, 눈이나 얼음의 실험을 즐길 수 있는 과학관입니다. 나카타니 박사는 지금까지 알지 못했지만, 가가 온천을 여행했을 때, 구글 맵의 입소문에서 평판이 좋은, 이 과학관의 존재를 알고 들렀습니다. 나카타니 박사의 연구 성과와 평생에 대해서는, 비디오 상영(25분)으로 매우 자세하게 해설됩니다. 도카치다케에 고쳐 많은 눈의 결정 사진을 찍어 결정의 형태와 온도·습도의 관계를 분류한 「나카야 다이어그램」이라고 하는 그래프를 발표한 것. 세계 최초로 눈의 인공 결정 작성에 성공한 것. 만년은 그린란드의 얼음 연구에 종사하고 있던 것 등, 처음 알기만 했습니다. 이러한 꾸준한 연구가 세계적인 기상 예측과 자연과학의 발전으로 이어질 것이라고 생각했습니다. 전시물에는, 고해상도의 눈의 결정의 사진이 다수 있어, 그런데 미술관과 같이. 비디오 상영 후에는 계원에 의한 실험도 있어, 빛에 의해 얼음의 내부가 녹는 「친달 현상」, 「다이아몬드 더스트」, 「과냉각 현상」, 알루미늄의 열전도율을 이용한 얼음의 「목걸이 만들기」를 견학했습니다. 아무도 매우 즐겁고, 해설도 알기 쉽고, 추억에 남았습니다. 다이아몬드 더스트는 이름만은 알고 있었지만, 실제로 보는 것은 없을 것이라고 생각했기 때문에 감동했습니다. 또, 과학관의 안뜰에는 박사의 차녀로, 세계적으로 유명한 아티스트 나카타니 카즈시코씨의 「안개의 정원」이 30분에 1회 상연됩니다. 그린란드의 암석과 날아가는 안개의 대비가 역동적입니다. 안개 속에 들어갈 수도 있고, 내관하고 있던 아이들이 큰 기쁨으로 말을 걸었습니다. 보는 것, 아는 것이 드물고 멋진 과학관이라고 생각했습니다. 유감이었던 것이 이소자키 신이라는 빅 네임이 설계의 멋진 건물인데, 슬로프가 봉쇄되어 버리고 있었던 것입니다. 노후화 등으로 통행할 수 없게 되어 버렸습니까? 컬러 콘과 로프는 흥분이므로 빨리 어떻게든 해 주었으면 좋겠네요.