Toyohashi City Natural History Museum to host Pokémon Observatory exhibition

The Toyohashi City Natural History Museum will host the “Pokémon Observatory” special exhibition from September 21 to December 6, 2026. Co-organized with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, this traveling exhibition aims to spark interest in space and natural sciences through the familiar world of Pokémon.

The exhibition follows a narrative journey from Earth to the Moon, the Sun, the solar system, and deep space. It features scientific materials and models from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, JAXA, and the National Museum of Nature and Science. Notably, the exhibition will include samples brought back from the asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft, marking the first time these are displayed in the Higashi and Nishi Mikawa regions.

Visitors can interact with life-sized Pokémon models, such as Solgaleo and Lunala, and participate in hands-on experiences using MR (mixed reality) goggles. The museum will also feature its own meteorite specimens, some of which are available to touch. Exclusive merchandise, including a “Starry Sky Pikachu” plush, will be available for purchase.