Experience 'Deciding Together' Game Event at Miraikan, Odaiba

On Sunday, August 2, 2026, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), located in the Odaiba area of Tokyo's Koto Ward, will host an event titled "Let's Explore! The World We Decide Together: Experience the 'This Country' vs. 'That Country' Game!". This event aims to delve into the doubts and ambiguities surrounding the everyday act of "deciding together" through games and workshops.

The event, a collaboration between the "Exploring the Mysterious World from a Child's Perspective" project and Miraikan, will begin with a talk by Mami Yamaguchi, a professor of cognitive psychology at Chuo University, focusing on innate human abilities to distinguish between things. Following this, participants will engage in the game "'This Country' vs. 'That Country'," designed by Kei Nishiyama, an assistant professor specializing in politics and education at Kaiichi International University. This game requires participants to divide into two teams and actively practice the process of "deciding together," offering a hands-on experience of its challenges and merits.

The latter half of the event will feature a workshop where participants can share their thoughts and feelings from the game. Through dialogue with guest speakers and fellow attendees, participants may gain deeper insights and new perspectives. To ensure an inclusive atmosphere, researchers and science communicators will facilitate the session using "philosophical dialogue" methods, making it accessible even for children who are shy or find it difficult to converse. Tetsuya Kono, a professor of philosophy at Rikkyo University, will also co-facilitate this workshop.

This event is part of the "Exploring the Mysterious World from a Child's Perspective" project, which aims to shed light on the world from a child's viewpoint and reconsider environments that foster child development.

Event Outline

• Venue: National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), 7F Conference Rooms Mercury, Mars, Venus
• Address: 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
• Date & Time: Sunday, August 2, 2026
  • Session 1: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM (Talk & Game: 50 min, Workshop: 70 min)
  • Session 2: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Talk & Game: 50 min, Workshop: 70 min)
  • Both sessions cover the same content.
• Target Audience: Grades 3-6 (Accompanying adults limited to 2 per child)
• Capacity: 20 participants per session
• Admission: Free (Separate fees apply for permanent exhibitions, special exhibitions, and the Dome Theater)
• Registration: Required (Lottery). Miraikan ID registration is necessary.
• Application Period: June 12, 2026 (Fri) 11:00 AM - July 7, 2026 (Tue)

Access

• Nearest Stations: Approx. 5-minute walk from Tokyo Big Sight Station on the Yurikamome Line, or approx. 7-minute walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on the Rinkai Line.

Additional Information

• Please contact the venue if subtitles are required.
• Information regarding camera recording during the event is available on the official website.

Miraikan is an indoor facility, ensuring a comfortable experience regardless of weather. While the event itself is free, access to exhibition areas requires a separate fee. Visitors can combine this event with other attractions in the Odaiba area. Prospective attendees must register for a Miraikan ID and apply via lottery within the specified period. For the latest updates on ticket availability, please check the official website.