Ig Nobel Face-to-Face 2026 in JAPAN at Miraikan

The Ig Nobel Prize official event, "Ig Nobel Face-to-Face 2026 in JAPAN," will be held at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) in Odaiba on Sunday, September 20, 2026. This event offers a unique opportunity to directly interact with the laureates of the Ig Nobel Prize, awarded for research that "makes people laugh, and then think." The event is gaining significant attention, especially given that Japanese research has consecutively won awards for 20 years.

This year's event will feature 2026 Ig Nobel laureates Leonard Shabass (Chemistry Prize) and Mikio Takahara (Medicine Prize), along with 2023 Nutrition Prize winner Prof. Yoshiaki Miyashita. They will discuss their distinctive research, covering topics such as cockroach milk, effective nose-blowing techniques, and altering taste with electrical stimulation. These sessions delve into the serious scientific endeavors behind seemingly humorous studies.

Adding to the excitement, Dr. Akira Yoshino, the 2019 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, will also be a guest speaker. A special talk session will bring together laureates from both the Ig Nobel and Nobel Prizes to discuss "What does it mean to do science?" This is a rare chance to hear anecdotes not found in academic papers and gain insight into the personalities of these distinguished researchers.

The program is divided into two parts. Part 1 features speeches by the laureates, where they will share the background and core findings of their research directly. Part 2 is the talk session mentioned above. In true Ig Nobel fashion, participants will engage in the "paper airplane throwing" tradition, a staple at the award ceremonies. A lottery for signed merchandise from the laureates will conclude the event.

The venue is the Miraikan Hall on the 7th floor of Miraikan. The event is recommended for upper elementary school students and above, with a capacity of 250 participants. Advance registration is required and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration requires a free Miraikan ID. The application period is from Monday, September 7, 2026, 2:00 PM to Saturday, September 19, 23:59. While participation in the event is free, admission to the permanent exhibitions, special exhibitions, and the dome theater requires a separate fee.

Photography will be conducted during the event and may be used on Miraikan's official website, social media, and in reports. Attendees who do not wish to be photographed should inform staff on the day. Personal photography is permitted for enjoyment, but please be mindful not to capture others. Filming of presenters' slides or videos is prohibited. Audio recognition captioning will be provided at the venue.

Event Details

• Event Title: Ig Nobel Face-to-Face 2026 in JAPAN
• Venue: Miraikan Hall, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
• Address: 2-3-6 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
• Date & Time: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Target Audience: Recommended for upper elementary school students and above
• Capacity: 250 people (Advance registration required, first-come, first-served)
• Admission Fee: Free (Museum admission is separate, but free for event participants)
• Application Period: September 7, 2026 (Mon) 2:00 PM - September 19, 2026 (Sat) 11:59 PM
• Organizer: National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
• Co-organizer: Improbable Research

Access

• Nearest Stations: Yurikamome Tokyo Big Sight Station / Rinkai Line Kokusai-Tenjijo Station

Those interested in attending should ensure they register for a Miraikan ID and apply within the designated period. Unique experiences like the signed merchandise lottery and paper airplane throwing await. For further details and the latest information, please visit the official Miraikan website.