Nagoya City Science Museum

Purpose of Exhibition

Receiving the Nobel Prize is one of the highest honors a researcher can receive. It is interesting to note that several Nobel Laureates have connections to Aichi Prefecture or Nagoya in particular.
The Aichi-Nagoya Nobel Laureate Commemorative Hall on the exhibition floor presents exhibits on each of the Laureates with ties to this area of Japan. These exhibits introduce their award-winning research and enable visitors to gain a deeper understanding through exhibits of research-related items and hands-on demonstrations. The exhibits on this floor showcase the lives and personalities of the Laureates while conveying their personal messages to the public.

Additional Knowledge

As of 2020, 24 Japanese-born researchers ?two of whom had become foreign nationals by the time of their awards ? have been honored with Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, or Physiology or Medicine. Eight of these Nobel Laureates, who have been recognized for six awards in total, have a track record of research at universities and research institutes in Aichi or in Nagoya itself. Two of the Nobel Prize-winning projects recognize a pair of local Laureates. The Aichi-Nagoya Nobel Laureate Commemorative Hall highlights these Laureates and their prize-winning research through wall-sized images, an experiment island, and Nobel Week experiences.
Large video screen
Three digital projectors project a 4-meter by 18-meter video image on the wall. These images introduce the award-wining research and the key points of the Nobel Prizes awarded to the Aichi-Nagoya Nobel Laureates.
Experiment island
Visitors can view simple demonstrations as well as experiments related to the three categories of award-winning research. These demonstrations differ depending on the schedule, so please visit the website of the Nagoya City Science Museum to see what events are scheduled during your visit.
Nobel Week
The Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies take place in Stockholm, Sweden, on December 10, the anniversary of founder Alfred Nobel’s death. Festive events are held during the surrounding period that has become known as Nobel Week.
Before the award ceremonies, it is the custom that the new Laureates autograph the undersides of their chairs at the Nobel Museum cafe. And on the days leading up to the ceremonies, Nobel Prize Commemorative Lectures are presented. Attendees from around the world are able to listen to Laureates talk about the significance and background of their research.
On December 10, the King of Sweden presents the Laureates, who appear in formal dress, with their Nobel Prize medals and diplomas . A banquet follows.
In the Nobel Week Experience exhibit, visitors can view the Laureates autographing the undersides of their cafe chairs, try on a virtual formal dress coat, and examine the menu for the Nobel banquet.
Project Exhibits
Smaller temporary exhibits related to the Nobel Prize are also on display from time to time.

Tetsuro Ojio, author, curator