Tokyo Miraikan Closes October 1 Until April 2027: Last Days to Visit

Miraikan, Tokyo’s National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation on the Odaiba waterfront, closes on Thursday, October 1, 2026, for about six months of refurbishment. The whole museum shuts, including its exhibitions, theaters, shop and restaurants, and it reopens on Friday, April 23, 2027. Wednesday, September 30, is the last day to visit before the break.

If Miraikan is on your Tokyo list for the next few days, go before the end of September. If your trip falls between October and late April, plan another science or museum stop instead, and check the Miraikan website for the outside events and online programs the museum says it will run while the building is closed.

For another major museum in the city, our Tokyo National Museum visitor guide covers hours, tickets and the galleries worth your time in Ueno.

Miraikan Closure Dates and What Shuts

Miraikan announced the closure in a notice on its website, which says the museum will close for refurbishment and facility maintenance from October 1, 2026, to April 22, 2027. The notice says all exhibitions, theaters, shops and restaurants will be closed during that period. It adds that the museum will reinforce its science communication with events outside the building and information online, with details to follow on its website and social media accounts.

Time Out Tokyo reported the same dates in August and described the work as an extensive renovation with new permanent exhibits, an upgraded dome theater and a refreshed restaurant, cafe and shop.

New Exhibits When Miraikan Reopens in April 2027

In a September 16 overview of the renewal, Miraikan said new permanent exhibitions will focus on themes such as genomes and the brain, alongside special exhibitions designed by the museum. The Dome Theater will add new full dome 3D films and planetarium programs, the children’s Curiosity Field will be redesigned and the museum’s partner robot will be updated.

Visitor facilities are changing too. Miraikan says the restaurant and cafe will reopen with a new concept, the museum shop will be expanded and signage will be made clearer and more consistent throughout the building. The museum opened in July 2001 and says it has welcomed 20 million visitors since then.

Plan Your Last Visit Before September 30

With only a few days left, expect the final weekend to be busier than usual as local families and visitors make a last trip. Arrive early, check the museum’s opening hours and ticket details on its website before you go, and allow time for the Dome Theater if a show is on your list, since seats are limited.

Miraikan sits in the Odaiba area of Koto City, a short walk from the waterfront. The nearest stations are on the Yurikamome line, and Tokyo Teleport station on the Rinkai line is a longer walk away, so it is easy to combine with other stops on the waterfront on the same day.

Odaiba and Tokyo Alternatives While Miraikan Is Closed

Odaiba still has plenty to see during the closure. The waterfront is one of the main districts for Arte Tokyo, the city’s arts and culture festival from October 10 to December 31, as we reported in our story on the Arte Tokyo festival. Indoor attractions on the island, such as Tokyo Joypolis, remain an option on rainy days.

If you want a museum day, the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno is the country’s oldest and largest museum, with a deep collection of Japanese art and artifacts. Tokyo’s other museum schedules are shifting as well: Time Out Tokyo reported that the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi plans its own renovation closure from September 24, 2027, to late April 2028, so check dates before building a trip around it.

Flying in for a spring 2027 visit that includes Miraikan’s reopening? Airlines are adding capacity to Tokyo, as we covered in our story on Finnair’s second daily Tokyo Narita flight.