Meteor Plaza is a unique multi-purpose facility located at Shichirui Port in Mihonoseki, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. While the port is best known as a ferry terminal for services to the Oki Islands, Meteor Plaza offers much more, combining themes of space, the sea, and relaxation in one distinctive destination.
The facility was created following the fall of the Mihonoseki Meteorite onto a private home in Mihonoseki in December 1992. This extraordinary event inspired a facility where visitors can discover the mysteries of outer space and the wonder of a meteorite that has traveled through the universe for billions of years.
Inside, visitors can explore a meteorite museum, enjoy bathing and sauna facilities, and relax in specially designed recreation areas. The facility offers something for visitors of all ages, from children fascinated by space to adults looking for a peaceful place to unwind.
Because Shichirui Port is also a major departure point for ferries and high-speed vessels bound for the Oki Islands, Meteor Plaza serves as an important gateway to island travel. It is a memorable destination where the vastness of space and the power of the sea come together.
One of Meteor Plaza’s most distinctive features is its futuristic architecture. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Shin Takamatsu, the building takes its inspiration from the Mihonoseki Meteorite.
Its enormous, meteorite-like form has become a landmark of Shichirui Port. The unusual silhouette immediately catches the eye when arriving at the harbor, standing out dramatically against the surrounding sea and mountains while still harmonizing with the coastal landscape.
During the day, the building creates an impressive scene against the blue sky and Sea of Japan. Around sunset, the port and the futuristic structure take on an especially atmospheric appearance. The building is therefore of interest not only to ferry passengers but also to visitors fascinated by architecture and design.
On the fourth floor, the Meteor Museum features a permanent display of the Mihonoseki Meteorite, which fell onto a private residence in Mihonoseki on December 10, 1992.
At around 9 p.m., the meteorite crashed into the house accompanied by a tremendous roar resembling thunder. It reportedly broke through the roof, passed through the second-floor floorboards and the tatami flooring on the first floor, and reached the space beneath the house. The impact was so dramatic that the residents initially thought lightning had struck the building.
Subsequent scientific research revealed that the meteorite is composed of material formed approximately 4.6 billion years ago, around the time the solar system itself was born. Researchers also determined that it had traveled through outer space for approximately 61 million years since reaching its present form.
Measuring up to 25.2 centimeters in length and weighing approximately 6.38 kilograms, it is a relatively large meteorite. The discovery of materials not found naturally on Earth has made it a valuable object for scientific research into the origins and mysteries of the universe.
The museum also features spectacular visual presentations projected onto a large elliptical screen.
The original animated film “Friends of the Stars”, created with the involvement of manga and animation pioneer Osamu Tezuka, presents the story of the Mihonoseki Meteorite in an accessible way. Another CG presentation, “The Birth of the Universe,” allows visitors to experience the immense scale of the origins of the universe and the solar system.
The exhibits are designed to be enjoyable even for visitors without specialist knowledge of astronomy. The museum is also popular with children as an educational destination where science and the history of the universe can be explored through hands-on experiences.
One of the museum’s most fascinating displays recreates the condition of the house at the time of the meteorite’s impact. Actual materials, including damaged ceiling boards and carpeting, help visitors understand the force of the collision.
A replica with the same approximate size and weight as the meteorite can also be lifted by visitors. Its surprisingly heavy weight offers a memorable hands-on experience and provides a simple way to appreciate the density of material that has traveled through space.
Meteor Plaza also provides bathing facilities and a far-infrared sauna, offering visitors a place to rest after sightseeing.
The bathing area normally operates as a public bath, while the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month are designated “Mihonoseki Onsen Days.” On these days, visitors can enjoy salt-rich hot spring water transported from the Mihonoseki hot spring source.
The water is classified as a calcium-sodium chloride spring and is traditionally associated with relief from conditions such as neuralgia and muscle pain, as well as helping with sensitivity to cold and recovery from fatigue.
The mineral-rich water, characteristic of a seaside hot spring area, gently warms the body and provides a relaxing break during a journey. The far-infrared sauna is maintained at approximately 70°C and is designed as a space for relaxation and refreshing the body.
On the second floor, the Relaxation Room creates a fantastical atmosphere inspired by outer space and the ocean.
One of its most popular features is the capsule-shaped alpha-wave relaxation machine. Inside the capsule, vibrations, light, music, and aromas are combined to create an immersive relaxation experience that surrounds the entire body.
The space is used by visitors seeking to unwind and recover from the fatigue of travel. It can also be a pleasant way to spend time while waiting for a ferry to the Oki Islands.
Meteor Plaza stands beside Shichirui Port, a naturally sheltered harbor along the ria coastline of eastern Shimane Peninsula. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the port is protected from the strong northwesterly winds that characterize the Sea of Japan in winter.
Because of its sheltered location, the harbor has long been used as a refuge for vessels. Since 1972, ferry services to the Oki Islands have been developed, and the port has become an important transportation hub served by large ferries and high-speed vessels.
From Shichirui Port, ferries and high-speed vessels connect with destinations throughout the Oki Islands, including Saigo Port in Okinoshima Town, Beppu Port in Nishinoshima Town, Hishiura Port in Ama Town, and Kuri Port in Chibu Village.
High-speed vessels take approximately one hour, while ferries take around two hours, making Shichirui Port an important starting point for an island adventure in the Oki Islands.
The port’s ferry terminal facilities include places to rest and a restaurant, making Meteor Plaza a convenient stop before or after traveling by sea.
The area surrounding Meteor Plaza is also blessed with beautiful coastal scenery. The Mihonoseki Hydrangea Road, connecting the Shichirui and Hoda areas, is a popular route for enjoying a scenic drive along the Sea of Japan.
Colorful hydrangeas have been cultivated along the road by local volunteers for more than 25 years. In early summer, blue and purple flowers create a beautiful contrast with the ocean, making the route especially popular with photographers.
Mihonoseki itself has a long history as an important maritime center and was once a flourishing port of call for Kitamaebune merchant ships. Many historic attractions remain, including Aoishidatami Street, Miho Shrine, and Miho Seki Lighthouse.
The peaceful townscape, combined with the traditions of maritime life and the mythology surrounding Miho Shrine, creates an atmosphere that is distinctly different from modern urban destinations.
Meteor Plaza is far more than a ferry terminal. A meteorite carrying 4.6 billion years of cosmic history, relaxing facilities overlooking the sea, and the excitement of setting out for the remote Oki Islands come together in this unusual destination.
Visitors can contemplate the vast history of the universe, relax in a bathing or sauna facility, and enjoy the scenery of the Sea of Japan—all in the same place.
When exploring Mihonoseki or traveling to the Oki Islands, take time to visit Meteor Plaza. It offers a fascinating opportunity to experience the meeting point of cosmic history, maritime culture, science, architecture, and the natural beauty of the Sea of Japan.