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Space Science Experience + Driving Tsukuba ― gateway for discovering and understanding the universe

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Land Cruiser Prado takes you to our nation's gateway to exploring, discovering and understanding the universe. Experience the cutting-edge space science technology in Tsukuba with TOYOTA's cutting-edge model!!

Tsukuba ― gateway for discovering and understanding the universe

Driving Record

Joban Expressway - The runway to space 8am - 9:40am

After getting off Shuto Expressway, Joban Expressway will get you to Tsukuba. Prado and its V6 4.0L engine will impress you with the high driving performance in a silence. Leather seats as well as woodgrain-pattern panels add elegance and stately impression to the interior enabling all passengers to have comfortable and luxurious ride. Prado made this two hour short drive across Tokyo, Saitama and Chiba feel shorter.

Much advancement has been made for the new Land Cruiser Prado.There was not so much traffic on Joban Expressway and it was a good day for driving.Approximately 1.5 hours from Tokyo to Tsukuba this time.

Route Map & Agenda

Science Square Tsukuba - See one end of our nation's cutting edge space science technology 9:45 - 10:45am

Animal-Assisted Therapy?

This seadog Paro was developed as a robot, which gives people the same effect as animal-assisted therapy (a type of therapy that involves an animal. It is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of people - wikipedia). Paro is designed to substitute animals for those who cannot touch or be with animals for reasons.

Paro responds with a gentle look when you talk to him or cuddle him.

The effects of Paro is already proved and recognized overseas!

Science Square TSUKUBA (AIST)

address
AIST Tsukuba Central 1, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba-shi
time
9:30am - 5pm (Tour takes approx. 50 minutes. April - December: 12pm, 4pm/ January-March: 10am, 2pm)
Closed on Monday (If public holiday falls on Monday, will be open, however following day will be closed) and 12/28-1/4
tel
029-862-6215
price
free
parking
10 cars

Due to development of science and technology in the 21st century, our lives continue to be improved and convenient. At Science Square Tsukuba, high technology in various fields that are directly related to our daily lives are introduced and enabling visitors to give a glimpse and experience case examples of what may happen in the near future. Humanoid robots (a robot with its overall appearance based on that of human body, allowing interaction with made-for-human tools or environments - wikipedia), photovoltaic power system and more…you will see signs of a promising future.

You can learn about how solar panel works.A small scale humanoid robot 'Choromet', which is programmable by software and the settings can be changed.Myoelectric prosthetic hands, which senses electric current and supports a person who has locomotor disorder. Dinosaur-shape two-legged robot developed based on bipedal walking of humanoid robot.

Route Map & Agenda

JAXA Tsukuba Space Center - Explore the field of space technology development at Science Square Tsukuba 10:55am - 1:30pm

A great number of research facilities are spread across the expansive land, roughly the size of twelve Tokyo Domes. Operation control room of Kibo, a Japanese Experimental Module in the International Space Station is located in one of those buildings and communications with astronauts, NASA and other countries are taken place here. A total of 50 operation controllers work there for 24 hours (three shifts) for operation of onboard equipment of Kibo. You will see a real rocket, the engine, equipment onboard climate satellite Himawari and so on. A life size development model of Kibo as well as an extravehicular suit is displayed. Although there are confidential sections where visitors are not allowed to access, what available to see are enough to feel the exciting future ahead of us.

It requires 3 people to put it on!

Extravehicular suit

The displayed extravehicular suit is replica, and a real suit weighs approximately 120 kg (even an extravehicular suit made for training in the water weigh 60 kg) as it is made with fourteen layers in order to protect astronauts from powerful cosmic rays. Life supporting device such as oxygen and battery are built in on the back of the suit for maximum of 8 hour extravehicular activities. Just for your information, the price of a suit is approximately 1 billion yen.

H-II rocket: stages: 2, height: approx 50m, diameter: approx 4m, mass: 260t, launch capability: Geostationary Transfer Orbit: 4t/ Low Earth Orbit: 10t
The H-II rocket is a Japanese satellite launch system

The H-II rocket is a Japanese satellite launch system and the first two-stage rocket our nation made using only domestic technologies. It flew seven times between 1994 and 1999, with five successes. Besides development of H-II rocket technology, improved version of H-II rocket, which was used for a wide variety of satellite launches and H-II B rocket, which was recently (September 11, 2009) launched for testing were developed.

Japanese astronaut, Mr. Mohri also trained here.

Giant pool for extravehicular training is located in the indoor training range

As it is not possible to set a weightless environment for a long period of time on the ground, a large-scale pool (diameter: 16m, depth: 10.5) is located in the Weightless Environment Test Building and used for simulation of extravehicular activities. This pool offers astronaut training and performance check of extravehicular activities with heavy extravehicular suits.

Full-scale model of 'Kibo (Japanese Experiment Module)' for the International Science Station.

Don't miss the souvenir section!

Space Curry (525 yen), soft azuki bean jelly (367 yen) and Space Man ball-point pen (262 yen) etc. are available for souvenir.

This space curry and yohkan (adzuki-bean jelly) are certified as 'Japanese space food' by JAXA Various space food, such as Takoyaki and bread, are sold at a souvenir shop.

As sense of taste diminishes in the space, curry and jelly are made with stronger taste than ordinary ones.

The real LE-7 engine for H-II rocket Screws for the rocket engine have unique shape.Actual Russian spacecraft Soyuz's reentry capsule is blackened due to its re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere!

Tsukuba Space Center

address
2-1-1, Sengen, Tsukuba-shi
time
10am-5pm (admission bypm）
Open 7days a week (New year and special event days are closed)
・Guided tour: 5 times a day; 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm, 1hour and 15minutes, advanced reservation by phone required
tel
029-868-2023
price
free
parking
100 cars

Route Map & Agenda

4. SOBAYA - A promising future and a rich history? Traditional soba for lunch 1:50 - 2:50pm

The private house from 160 years ago retains the atmosphere of the Edo-period.

A private house from160 years ago was relocated from Akeno-machi and rebuilt in Mizuho-no-mura as a buckwheat noodle restaurant called Sobaya. The high ceiling, antique clock, lamp, irori fireplace…are creating somewhat nostalgic atmosphere all together. Hand made buckwheat noodle using local Hitachiakisoba powder (buckwheat) with fascinating flavor and taste is a bit pricy but it is worth paying for. The soba powder is grinded by water mill to prevent it from heat. Sobaya offers a food market called Mizuho-no-mura Ichiba on the premises. Mizuho-no-mura Ichiba is established and operated by 47 local farmers from their hopes to deliver freshly harvested natural products.

"A variety of Japanese food such as soba, udon (wheat noodle) and yakitori are added as space foods."

A huge antique lamp shade welcomes you at the restaurant entrance. This clock has been here since the Edo period.Japanese traditional style parlor with Irori fireplace Ten-mori soba (\1,554) comes with 2 different types of soy-based dipping sauce, one for soba and the other for Tempra with yuzu flavorAn old weaving machine on the 2nd floor is still in use.

Soba-ya

address
496 Yanagihashi, Tsukiba-shi
time
11am-8pm / Closed on every Tuesday
tel
029-856-1090
parking
80 cars
A Japanese traditional style water wheel beside the restaurant

Route Map & Agenda

Tsukuba Expo Center - The world's largest planetarium 3:05 - 4:05pm

Even Prado looks small next to real-scale rocket mockup.

*The area shown is not a parking zone and no cars are allowed to be parked at anytime.

One of the world's largest dome, dia. 25.6mThe latest projector for digital and omni-directional image.

Tsukuba Expo Center

address
2-9, Azuma, Tsukuba-shi
time
9:50am-5pm (Dec-Jan: 9:50am-4:30pm)
Closed on Monday (If public holiday falls on Monday, will be open, however following day will be closed),the last Tuesday of the month, new year holiday, and also temporary closing due to maintenance
tell
029-858-1100
price
300yen for adults/ 150yen for children (Including Planetarium entrance fee, adult: 700yen/ child: 350yen)
parking
60 cars

The world's largest planetarium (diameter: 25.6m) is also located at Tsukuba Expo Center. The latest technology realized the omni-directional image of gorgeous starry sky of four seasons to fill the whole dome. The Tsukuba Expo Center was originally built as a permanent memorial for International Exposition, Tsukuba, Japan 1985 and later turned into a science technology facility specializing in space, abyssal ocean and energy. Everything is demonstrated from children's point of view and very fun and easy to understand.

A life-size rocket model - H-II Rocket

A life-size rocket towering at the entrance area is H-II rocket. It is overwhelming when you actually see it in front of you.

"omg!! Please do not fall down on me!"

World Science Exposition

World Science Exposition Items of that time such as a Hi-vision camera, an automatic instrument playing robot, a time capsule (supposed to be opened in year 2030), etc. are displayed.

A mascot for Hoshi-maru Expo '85
Various displays at TSUKUBA EXPO ‘85 booth.

Route Map & Agenda

6. Tsukuba mountains - Astronomical observation 4:10 - 5:10pm

Steep and curvy mountain roads are where you feel Land Cruiser Prado's power. A junction on the Purple line. Left is to Mt. Tsukuba and right is to the Flower park. A view of the city from the hill is spectacular!

Driving from Purple Line to Mt. Tsukuba - the lowest of 100 Famous Japanese Mountains Although fall foliage was not yet started, Purple Line, which connects Tsukuba and Mt. Tsukuba offered a very beautiful scenery. You can just imagine its amazing beauty at the fall foliage peak. We parked Land Cruiser Prado in a parking area that is located in the middle of the mountain. Only aerial tramway and cable car are available methods to reach the mountain summit and cars are not allowed. During fall foliage peak, both aerial tramway and cable car are operated during evening hours on weekends and holidays.

Stardust Cruising in Kanto Plain

Gorgeous views from the summit will be the perfect finale of your day trip to Tsukuba.

There is a parking space in front of Tsutsujigaoka station of aerial tramwayYou can have a view of beautiful fall foliage in peak season
The starlit sky with a night city view from the top of Mt. Tsukuba
There is an outdoor play area for kids in Tsutsujigaoka parking
This old shrine has a history of nearly 3000 years Torii (shrine gate) of Tsukuba shrine.

Tsukubasan Shrine

address
Tsukuba, Tsukuba-shi
tell
029-866-0502
parking
400 cars around the shrine

You may want to stop by Tsukuba Shrine

The stately front shrine is a goal of people who climb Mt.Tsukuba.

Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway - Stardust cruising

time
Only for a limited time: Every weekend and holiday during October-January, 5pm-9pm (every 20minutes)
Closed on Dec 28th-Jan 3rd (bad weather may suspend operations)
tel
029-866-0611
price
1,000yen for adults/ free for children (under 12year-old)
parking
Tsutsujigaoka Parking: 500 cars

Mt. Tsukuba Ropeway ［daytime operation］

time
9:20am-5pm (every 20minutes) [Weekend and holiday closed at 5: 40pm]
price
1,070yen for adults/ 540yen for children (round trip)

Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car - Night time operation

time
Only for a limited time: Every weekend and holiday during Nov 7th-29th, 5pm-8pm (every 20minutes)
(bad weather may suspend operations)
tel
029-866-0611
price
1,000yen for adults/ free for children (under 12year-old)
parking
around Tsukuba shrine: 400 cars

Mt. Tsukuba Cable Car［daytime operation］

time
9:20am-4: 40pm (every 20minutes)
[Weekend and holiday closed on 5: 20pm]
price
1,020yen for adults/ 510yen for children (round trip)

Route Map & Agenda

Land Cruiser Prado

SUV with sophisticated beauty.The rear design has been also changed from the previous generationFurther to the functionality, cutting-edge technologies are combined in the interior

Land Cruiser Prado　Grade： 4.0 TZ-G　Color：Pearl White

  • Drive Train
    4WD
  • Seating Capacity
    7
  • Fuel Efficiency
    8.2km/L (10-15 mode)
  • MSRP
    4.75M yen
  • Sales Channel
     TOKYO TOYOTA

※consumption tax included, options not included

Comments from driver

Two things to describe Prado will be the strength of four litter engine and elegance and comfort of its interior resulting from designs with care. Just a light step on the gas pedal is enough for a smooth drive with comfortable speed on the highway. Stability while driving in the mountains is one thing to be noted. I didn't want to stop driving.

Comments from passenger

The luxurious interior almost made me forget that I was in a car. It was quiet and comfortable. Temperature adjustable seat heating came not only with driver's seat but also passenger's side. There were many seat arrangements available for the third row seats making it very convenient for storing various shape and size of luggage.

Prado's Featured Options

  • Integrated-type Bumper Protector - It guards bumper, which is vulnerable to damage
  • Pre-crash Safety System - The millimeter-wave sensor of front emblem detects a chance of hitting people or objects, it warns the driver with an alarm.
Bumper protector (maker option)This is not only emblem but also Millimeter-wave Radar Sensor

Cooperation by

Tokyo TOYOTA Katsushima branch Please feel free to pay a visit to our branch.

Tokyo TOYOTA Katsushima branch

Address
1-5-25, Katsushima, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
Access
By Kaigan-dori street, near Oi Keibajo-mae station of Tokyo Monorail
Tel
03-3298-1511
Hours
weekdays: 9:30am-7pm/ Sunday and holiday: 10am-7pm, Closed on Tuesday
Land Cruiser Prado is an orthodox 4WD model, which realized overwhelming driving performance and high quality interior as luxury sedan. Now a world known brand Land Cruiser will surely satisfy you with its powerful yet comfortable driving. Our dealer is located within a five minute walk distance from Oi-Keiba-jo station on Tokyo Monorail. Our dealer has one of the largest auto repair shop of all Tokyo Toyota dealers and fully prepared for after-sale service and maintenance service. We have many demo cars and displayed cars for Land Cruiser Prado, newly introduced Prius and other models.

※All information available in this content is as of October 2009.

LEXUS ver.

日本語

MyToyota.jp Staff talk

MyToyota.jp Customer Service staff picks up a variety of interesting and beneficial car related information especially for non-Japanese residents in Japan and introduce them in this section.

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