The special exhibition "Pokémon Astronomical Observatory" (ポケモン天文台) at the Toyohashi Museum of Natural History (豊橋市自然史博物館), located inside Toyohashi General Zoo and Botanical Park "Nonhoi Park" (豊橋総合動植物公園「のんほいパーク」), welcomed its 70,000th visitor on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (national holiday). To mark the milestone, a ceremony was held that day to present a commemorative gift to the 70,000th visitor.
The exhibition is a hands-on experience that lets visitors learn about the mysteries of space together with Pokémon.
It can be enjoyed only through Sunday, December 6, so it makes a good weekend outing. Visitors may well find themselves wanting to look up at the starry sky on the way home.
Ceremony Held for the 70,000th Visitor
The 70,000th visitor was Itsuto Sugie (杉江稜大), a sixth-grade elementary school student from Tahara City, who visited with his mother, Mai, and his grandmother, Setsuko.
The family had also visited the Museum of Natural History in October, but gave up that time because tickets were sold out. They tried again this time, and Itsuto became the 70,000th visitor.
Itsuto's favorite Pokémon is Quaxly (クワッス). He also likes the sky and space, and said he was "happy to be the 70,000th visitor."
As a memento of the 70,000th visit, he received a plush toy of "Hoshizora Pikachu" (ほしぞらピカチュウ), the guide character of "Pokémon Astronomical Observatory," along with the official exhibition catalog.
Visitor Milestones for the Special Exhibition "Pokémon Astronomical Observatory" So Far
| Date reached | Visitors |
|---|---|
| September 26 (Day 5) | 10,000 |
| October 3 (Day 11) | 20,000 |
| October 10 (Day 17) | 30,000 |
| October 14 (Day 20) | 40,000 |
| October 20 (Day 25) | 50,000 |
Open Through December 6, With Evening Hours Recommended
The special exhibition "Pokémon Astronomical Observatory" lets visitors compare the diverse ecology of Pokémon, the mysterious creatures that appear in the Pokémon game series, with the many mysteries of space. In addition to panel displays, it offers hands-on exhibits using MR (mixed reality) and meteorites that visitors can touch, so they can learn while having fun.
The exhibition tours the country, and the Toyohashi venue adds a newly displayed world-premiere "fossil meteorite" (隕石の化石), Ark017. It was found in a rock layer about 470 million years old, and it is a specimen that has never before been shown to the public.
Get an Original Visit Certificate
On weekends and holidays from October to December, the museum stays open until 9:00 PM, continuing from its regular opening hours. This is a first for the Toyohashi Museum of Natural History.
Visitors who come on a weekday, or who enter "Pokémon Astronomical Observatory" from 5:00 PM onward on a weekend or holiday, receive an original visit certificate. Its design makes people want to look up at the night sky, and it is an admission bonus exclusive to the Toyohashi venue. Limited quantity. Available while supplies last.
©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. "ポケットモンスター," "ポケモン" and "Pokémon" are trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures Inc. and GAME FREAK inc.
Exhibition Details: "Pokémon Astronomical Observatory" Toyohashi Venue
Dates: Monday, September 21 (national holiday) to Sunday, December 6, 2026
Venue: Special Exhibition Room, Toyohashi Museum of Natural History
Closed: Every Monday (if Monday is a national holiday, the following weekday)
Opening hours:
- Weekdays: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Weekends and holidays from October to December: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
Admission:
- Same-day tickets: adults ¥1,000, elementary and junior high school students ¥300, preschoolers free
- Web tickets: adults ¥840, elementary and junior high school students ¥250
- Separate admission to Toyohashi General Zoo and Botanical Park is also required.
Organized by: Toyohashi Museum of Natural History; National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Special cooperation: The Pokémon Company (株式会社ポケモン)
Production cooperation: NHK Promotion (NHKプロモーション)
Exhibition production: NHK Art (NHKアート)
Supervision: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Cooperation: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Official special site: https://www.toyohaku.gr.jp/sizensi/03event/tokuten/pokemon/index.html
