The Science Museum of Map and Survey
The Science Museum of Map and Survey in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture explains the history and work of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI). On display are antique and modern maps, surveying instruments and a survey plane in the grounds of the museum.
The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba 地図と測量の科学館
The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba
Tsukuba, in Ibaraki Prefecture about 45 km north of Tokyo, has many government agencies and research institutes located in the city.
The numerous public and private research institutes located in Tsukuba include the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED), the Meteorological Research Institute and the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI), formerly the Geographical Survey Institute, which standardizes maps for the whole country.
Several of these facilities have museums explaining their work to the general public as does the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.
Japanese Archipelago Skywalk Map, The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba
Contemporary map of central Tokyo, The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba
History
The GSI dates back to the first year of the new Meiji government in 1869 when a cadastral Registration Map Section was established to map the nation for tax purposes. This became the Japanese Imperial Land Survey in 1888, the Geographical Survey Institute in 1945 and the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan in 2010.
The GSI is involved in the mapping and surveying of both Japan and overseas, using traditional triangulation points as well as GPS.
The agency produces the standard topographical 1/25,000 map covering the whole country. This map is used as the basis for the production of diverse public and private administration area maps and road maps.
Exhibits, The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba
Geopark Maps, The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba
Exhibits
The museum is laid out on two floors with a garden section outside. On entrance visitors can see the Japanese Archipelago Skywalk Map depicted on the floor of the main atrium. The Japanese archipelago is shown at a scale of 1:100,000. The map can be viewed with anaglyph
3D glasses, allowing visitors to experience the
shape of Japan.
The large Permanent Exhibition Room has a mix of antique maps and historical surveying instruments alongside contemporary digital maps and the latest cutting-edge survey technology. Computers offer hands-on quizzes on map-making and surveying, generally aimed at the younger visitor.
The historical maps include reproductions of existing, original Edo Period town maps as well as world maps from overseas brought to Japan by the early foreign sailors and missionaries in the 16th and 17th centuries.
A replica of the Gyouki-zu, said to be the oldest map of Japan in existence is on display. This was drawn by the monk Gyouki (648-749) during the Nara Period. It shows roads and the administrative areas of the time.
A map of the world, the Zenkoku Bankoku Zenzu drawn by the Jesuit missionary to China, Matteo Ricci, in 1602, shows Japan and China at its center. Versions of this map were well-known in Japan during the Edo Period.
There is also a section on Plate Tectonics and earthquakes which so affect Japan.
On the second floor, the Special Exhibition Room hosts extra exhibitions related to maps and surveys. At present there are comparisons between Meiji and Heisei era maps and a series of maps showing Japan's many Geoparks.
Exhibits, The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba
Zenkoku Bankoku Zenzu drawn by the Jesuit missionary to China, Matteo Ricci, in 1602
Earth Plaza
Earth Plaza is the outside section of the museum. A spherical 1:200,000 model of the Japanese archipelago is the main attraction. It demonstrates the roundness of the planet.
Also on display outside is the first Japanese survey plane "Kunikaze" that flew from 1960 to 1983.
The free museum is visited regularly as part of the curriculum of local schools but is of general interest for more adult visitors as well.
The first Japanese survey plane "Kunikaze" that operated from 1960 to 1983
Information Service Hall
The Information Service Hall allows visitors to browse a vast selection of regional and national maps, aerial photos (including US army aerial photographs taken in the post-war period) and other documents created by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.
The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba
The Science Museum of Map and Survey Access
GSI
1 Kitasato, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-0811
Tel: 029 864 1872
Hours: Daily 9.30am-4.30pm. Closed Mondays or the next day, Tuesday, if Monday is a national holiday. Also closed December 28 - January 3.
The Information Service Hall is open on weekdays from 9.30am-5pm.
Admission: Free.
The Science Museum of Map and Survey is a 20 minute walk from Kenkyugakuen Station on the Tsukuba Express Line. However, there is no local bus from the station. A taxi would cost around 1,000 yen.
From Tsukuba Bus Station adjacent to Tsukuba Station take a local bus from stop number 5 to Kenchiku Kenkyujo (Building Research Institute) or Shimotsuma Station. Get off at Kokudochiriin (GSI). The journey by bus is about 10 minutes and costs 240 yen.
The Science Tour Bus on weekends and public holidays from stop number 8 also calls at the museum.
Other worthwhile museums in Tsukuba are the Geological Museum and the Tsukuba Space Center (TKSC).
Detail of Japan from the Zenkoku Bankoku Zenzu, The Science Museum of Map and Survey, Tsukuba
