Mount Fuji has become a popular spot for tourists to visit and take photos, but the overcrowding and lack of respect for the local culture has become an issue. The Japanese Space Agency, JAXA, located in Sagamihara, offers a quieter and more unique experience for those looking to explore beyond the typical tourist attractions. As a science journalist, I had the opportunity to visit JAXA and learn more about their work in space exploration.
Upon arriving at JAXA, I was greeted by a giant billboard featuring images of spacecraft departing Earth, hinting at the exciting work happening inside. I had the chance to visit the curation facility, where tiny pieces of rock from asteroids are analyzed. The cleanliness and precision of the facility were impressive, with scientists clad in white coats and gloves working diligently to study samples from asteroids like Ryugu.
I also had the chance to learn about JAXA’s upcoming missions, including the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, which aims to land a probe on Mars’ moon Phobos. The facility is constantly evolving to accommodate new samples and missions, with a new clean room specifically designed for samples from the asteroid Bennu.
After exploring the facility, I visited the Communication Hall of Space Science and Exploration, where visitors can learn more about JAXA’s spacecraft and missions. The hall features scale replicas of spacecraft like Hayabusa2 and SLIM, providing a unique insight into Japan’s contributions to space exploration.
Overall, my visit to JAXA was a fascinating and eye-opening experience. While Mount Fuji may be the more popular tourist destination, the quiet and humble nature of JAXA’s facility in Sagamihara offers a different perspective on Japan’s contributions to space exploration. As tourists continue to flock to Japan in record numbers, places like JAXA provide a peaceful and educational alternative to the crowded tourist hotspots.
