The Gifu-Kakamigahara Aerospace Museum, affectionately known as Sorahaku, is a specialized museum featuring comprehensive exhibitions on both aviation and space exploration. It is unique in Japan for bringing these two fields together in one facility.
The museum offers approximately 9,400 square meters of exhibition space, displaying a total of 56 aircraft, including 41 actual aircraft and 15 full-scale models. Its collection of actual aircraft is the largest of its kind in Japan.
Highlights include the only surviving example of the Kawasaki Ki-61-II Hien fighter aircraft, manufactured in Kakamigahara, and a full-scale model of Kibo, Japan’s experimental module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Visitors can also enjoy flight simulators for small jets and passenger aircraft, as well as a variety of workshops and hands-on learning experiences.
A café and museum shop are also available, offering opportunities to enjoy refreshments and purchase aviation- and space-themed souvenirs.
The aviation exhibition area presents aircraft from different periods in chronological order. Highlights include the Hien fighter, one of the most widely produced aircraft in Kakamigahara, and a full-scale model of the prototype Zero fighter. The collection illustrates the development of Japanese aviation technology and the region’s important role in the aircraft industry.
Visitors are welcomed by a full-scale model of the Wright Flyer, the aircraft used by the Wright brothers for their historic first powered flight.
In 1919, just 16 years after the Wright brothers’ achievement, a French aviation training mission was invited to Gifu. In 1922, production began on the Otsu Type 1 Reconnaissance Aircraft, a licensed version of the French Salmson 2A2. This marked an important milestone in the development of Japan’s aircraft industry in the Kakamigahara area.
Through these aircraft and related exhibits, visitors can explore humanity’s early attempts to conquer the skies and learn how the aviation industry developed in Gifu and Kakamigahara.
Wright Flyer: Full-scale model.
Otsu Type 1 Reconnaissance Aircraft (Salmson 2A2): Full-scale model.
Japan’s aircraft industry evolved from adopting foreign technology to developing original designs. During the two world wars, aviation technology advanced rapidly around the world. Japanese engineers, including Takeo Doi and Jiro Horikoshi, contributed to the development of notable aircraft such as the Hien fighter and the Zero fighter.
This exhibition features the Type 3 Fighter Model II, known as the Hien, the only surviving example of its type, along with a full-scale model of the prototype Twelve-Shi Carrier-Based Fighter, which became known as the Zero fighter. The prototype made its first flight in Gifu.
The displays explain the growth of the aircraft industry in Kakamigahara, from licensed production of the Otsu Type 1 Reconnaissance Aircraft to the development of advanced Japanese military aircraft. Visitors can also see valuable materials, including aircraft engines borrowed from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in the United States and original Japanese aircraft design drawings.
Hans Grade 1910 Monoplane: Full-scale model.
Type 3 Fighter Model II (Hien).
Ha-140 Engine.
Twelve-Shi Carrier-Based Fighter: Full-scale model.
Mitsubishi Ha-42 Engine.
Following the end of World War II, research, development, and production of aircraft in Japan were prohibited by the Allied occupation authorities for seven years. When these activities resumed, Japanese engineers began pursuing new technological challenges, including jet aircraft, short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft, and experimental vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
This is the museum’s largest aviation exhibition zone. More than 20 actual aircraft are arranged chronologically, illustrating the technological innovations and engineering achievements that shaped postwar Japanese aviation.
KAL-1; KAT-1; T-33A jet trainer; F-104J interceptor; Saab Safir 91B modified X1G; T-1B trainer; N-62 Eaglet; UF-XS experimental flying boat; VTOL Flying Test Bed; FA-200 modified STOL experimental aircraft; T-3 primary trainer; T-2 advanced trainer; T-2 CCV research aircraft; F-4EJ Kai interceptor; NAL STOL-1 (Asuka); Kawasaki-Bell 47G3B-KH4 helicopter; Kawasaki KHR-1 rigid-rotor experimental helicopter; Kawasaki BK117P5 ATIC experimental aircraft; OH-6J observation helicopter; BK117 helicopter; HYPER-CHicK KoToNo Limited human-powered aircraft; N70 Cygnus powered glider; XOH-1 observation helicopter mock-up; Kawasaki T-4 wind-tunnel test model; and XT-4 wind-tunnel test model.
This interactive zone explains how airplanes and helicopters fly. Through simulators and hands-on exhibits, visitors can explore the principles of aerodynamics, understand how aircraft generate thrust, and discover how flight controls work.
Visitors can also experience the controls of a passenger aircraft or a small jet, gaining a better understanding of what pilots do in the cockpit.
Design an Aircraft: Explore the principles of aircraft design.
Discover the Power of Air: Learn how air makes flight possible.
Understand Aircraft Systems: Discover the basic mechanisms that enable aircraft to fly.
Passenger Aircraft Simulator: Experience the controls used during takeoff and landing.
Small Jet Simulator: Try piloting a small jet and experience aerobatic maneuvers.
The space exhibition area features full-scale models of Japan’s Kibo module aboard the International Space Station, the Hayabusa2 asteroid explorer, and NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover. These displays introduce visitors to the technologies and achievements that have made space exploration possible.
About half a century after the invention of the airplane, humanity began venturing beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Space exploration requires powerful propulsion systems capable of carrying spacecraft beyond our planet.
This section uses the LE-7 rocket engine and an H-II rocket fairing as key exhibits. A fairing is the protective cover that shields a rocket’s payload, such as a satellite, during launch. The displays explain how these technologies work and their roles in spaceflight.
H-II Rocket Fairing.
LE-7 Rocket Engine.
Although the boundary of space is often defined as approximately 100 kilometers above Earth, reaching that altitude requires specially designed launch vehicles.
This section presents models of major Japanese rockets, including the H3, and explains rocket propulsion, flight control, and the differences between solid-fuel and liquid-fuel systems. Visitors can also learn about the history of rocket development, compare rockets from around the world, and explore future directions in space transportation.
Pencil Rocket (full-scale model); H-II Rocket (1:20 scale model); M-V Rocket (1:20 scale model); H-IIB Rocket (1:20 scale model); Epsilon Rocket (1:20 scale model); H3 Rocket (1:20 scale model); Vostok Rocket (1:20 scale model); Soyuz-2.1a Rocket (1:20 scale model); Falcon 9 Rocket (1:20 scale model); and Space Launch System (1:20 scale model).
Space technology plays an essential role in everyday life. Weather forecasting, car navigation, satellite broadcasting, and communications all rely on artificial satellites.
This exhibition introduces the functions of communications and broadcasting satellites, weather satellites, positioning satellites, and scientific satellites. Models help explain satellite structures and the methods used to control their orientation in the weightless environment of space.
Kakehashi Communications and Broadcasting Engineering Test Satellite; Kirari Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite (full-scale model); CUTE-1; Nano-JASMINE; ChubuSat-2; UNIFORM-2; Free Flyer (1:32 scale model); components associated with the Orihime and Hikoboshi spacecraft; and an interactive exhibit exploring Earth-observation satellites.
Human spaceflight has continued to advance since Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel into space in 1961. This section traces the history and technological progress of crewed space exploration.
A major highlight is the full-scale model of Kibo, Japan’s experimental module on the International Space Station (ISS). Exhibits also introduce current human activities in space and technologies being developed for future crewed missions.
Spacesuit and extravehicular mobility equipment (full-scale model); Space Shuttle (1:25 scale model); ISS Japanese Experiment Module Kibo (full-scale model); an interactive spacecraft design exhibit; and the Hayabusa2 mission simulator.
Uncrewed spacecraft have enabled humanity to investigate the origins of the universe and the possibility of life beyond Earth. This section features models of advanced exploration vehicles, including Japan’s Hayabusa2 asteroid mission and NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover.
Visitors can learn about current space exploration projects, future missions, and advanced propulsion technologies such as ion engines. The exhibits also introduce scientific efforts to understand the origins of life.
Hayabusa2: Full-scale model.
Ion Engine: Full-scale model.
IKAROS: 1:10 scale model.
Mars Exploration Rover: Full-scale model.
Curiosity Mars Rover: Full-scale model.
Mini Theater.
The outdoor exhibition area features large aircraft that visitors can view up close. Four actual aircraft are displayed near the entrance from the parking area, including the YS-11, the first passenger aircraft developed and mass-produced in Japan after World War II.
Seeing these aircraft and helicopters at close range offers a sense of their impressive scale and engineering.
Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing YS-11A-500R.
US-1A Rescue Flying Boat.
Kawasaki P-2J Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Kawasaki V107-A Helicopter.
The museum’s theater presents original films about aviation and space exploration. With immersive sound and lighting, the screenings bring the achievements, challenges, and inspiring stories of aerospace development to life.
Space has long represented humanity’s dreams and hopes, but it is also a harsh and unfamiliar environment. This film portrays the determination of people who continued to pursue space exploration despite setbacks and tragedies, including the Apollo 13 mission and the Challenger disaster.
More than a century has passed since the Wright brothers’ first powered flight, and aircraft have undergone remarkable changes. This film traces the history of humanity’s quest to fly, from the earliest experiments to modern aviation.
Although Japan entered the space race later than some other countries, it developed a distinctive presence through original ideas and technological innovation. This film follows the country’s journey in space development.
Many companies in the Tokai region, including those in Gifu Prefecture, contribute to the development and manufacture of Japanese rockets. This film introduces the engineers behind these projects and their dedication to advancing space technology.
Visitors can take the pilot’s seat and experience the excitement of flying through three types of simulators: a passenger aircraft simulator, a small jet simulator, and a virtual reality helicopter simulator.
Experience the takeoff and landing of a jumbo jet in a simulated cockpit environment.
Try simulated aerobatic maneuvers and experience the thrill of flying a small jet.
Based on the Kawasaki Heavy Industries BK117 helicopter, this advanced virtual reality simulator lets visitors experience realistic helicopter controls. Wearing a VR headset, participants can enjoy aerial views while trying their hand at piloting a helicopter.
These hands-on experiences offer an exciting way to learn about aircraft operation and experience the world from a pilot’s perspective.