Sound MR Guide: Next-Gen Museum Tour at Miraikan, Tokyo

The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, will host a pilot program for a "Sound MR Guide," a next-generation museum tour starting from September 20th to September 30th, 2026. This innovative event aims to allow everyone, regardless of their visual abilities, to deeply enjoy exhibits through an entirely new auditory experience.

Experience Exhibits Anew Through Sound

Utilizing Mixed Reality (MR) technology, the "Sound MR Guide" system plays audio information that synchronizes with the user's location. Participants will wear dedicated smartphones and earphones, navigating the museum with audio guides and music that respond to their movements. This allows for an immersive experience of the exhibition's narratives and explanations, without solely relying on sight.

Two types of tours are offered: the "Curator Tour," which delves into behind-the-scenes stories of exhibit planning and production, and the "Science Communicator Tour," which explores the scientific concepts behind the exhibits. Both tours feature scripts developed by Miraikan curators and science communicators, with AI-generated audio. The system also incorporates unique演出 (performances or effects) exclusive to this technology, offering a glimpse into the future of museum engagement.

This pilot project uses "Auris," a game engine for reality developed by GATARI Inc., aiming to create an inclusive experience for both sighted and visually impaired individuals.

Participation and Feedback

As this is a pilot experiment, participants will be asked to complete a survey about the tour content and guiding methods after their experience. Your feedback will be instrumental in future content development. Please note that the event may be recorded and photographed for documentation and promotional purposes by Miraikan and GATARI Inc. If you prefer not to be filmed, please inform the staff at the reception. Personal photography and videography are permitted for private enjoyment, provided others are not captured in the frame.

Event Details

• Event Name: Sound MR Guide: Next-Generation Museum Tour
• Venue: National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
• Dates: September 20, 2026 (Sun) – September 30, 2026 (Wed)
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Experience Duration: Approximately 30-40 minutes
• Target Audience: Recommended for upper elementary school students and above. Open to all, regardless of visual impairment, provided participants can navigate the museum using audio guides and visual cues (with or without a companion). One companion can also experience the tour.
• Admission Fee: Miraikan entrance fee only. (Free for visually impaired individuals and one accompanying person with proof of disability).

Access

• Nearest Stations: Yurikamome Line "Tokyo Big Sight Station" or "Kokusai-Tenjijo Seimon Station," Rinkai Line "Kokusai-Tenjijo Station"
• Address: 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo

Inquiries

National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) TEL: +81-3-3570-9151 (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM on open days)

This event presents a unique opportunity to explore the future of museum experiences. We encourage you to visit Miraikan and immerse yourself in this next-generation sound tour. Your participation in the post-experience survey will contribute to the evolution of new exhibition content.