“Galaxy Express 999 THE GALAXY EXPERIENCE” at the Kadokawa Culture Museum Until November 23

“Galaxy Express 999 THE GALAXY EXPERIENCE: That Journey Still Continues” is on view at the Kadokawa Culture Museum in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture. The exhibition lets visitors experience the 1979 feature film “Galaxy Express 999” as a space rather than watching it as a film. About 1,000 square meters of the 1st-floor Grand Gallery are wrapped in images from 32 4K laser projectors and immersive surround sound. Due to its popularity, the run has been extended until Monday, November 23 (national holiday). Admission is 2,700 yen for adults (university students and older).

An exhibition that makes you a “passenger” of the film, extended

The premise is that visitors are not viewers but passengers setting off into space on the Galaxy Express. The exhibition opened on Saturday, April 25, 2026, and was originally scheduled to run until Monday, October 26. On September 14, the organizer, the Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation, announced the extension, citing its popularity on social media.

Leiji Matsumoto, who created the original work and its concept, was born in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, in 1938 and died in February 2023. On the museum’s 3rd floor, “‘Galaxy Express 999’ 50th Anniversary Project: Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition, A Creative Journey” was also on view until Monday, October 26. It presents more than 300 items, from works made before his debut to original drawings of his major works and materials shown for the first time. According to that exhibition’s information, production of a new theatrical animated film of “Galaxy Express 999” has also been decided.

What is on display? From a passenger car to the station and a 25-meter track

The foyer at the entrance is a free area, where a full-size passenger car inspired by the Galaxy Express is placed. When you sit in a seat, the galaxy spreads out beyond the window and the 999 races past on its way to Earth. Visitors can also board the car to take commemorative photos.

Proceeding while watching footage about the departure of the protagonist, Tetsuro Hoshino, visitors arrive at the departure station, “Megalopolis Station.” In a space of about 1,000 square meters illuminated by 32 4K laser projectors installed for this exhibition, they experience about 30 minutes of footage that takes them through the story. According to Tokorozawa Sakura Town, the images use the walls, the floor and the entire space, and the sound is built around an 8.1-channel surround system. Composer Kenji Kawai wrote all of the music, and at the end of the journey Godiego’s “Galaxy Express 999 (THE GALAXY EXPRESS 999)” plays.

After the footage, visitors walk along 25 meters of track as lines from the film appear and pass by. Beyond that, the exhibition shows behind-the-scenes material and production design materials from the film. Original merchandise is sold at the “Rock Museum Shop” on the 2nd floor, and “KadoCafe,” also on the 2nd floor, serves collaboration print lattes with a choice of designs.

Screening times and how long to allow

The main program is screened 12 times a day, every 40 minutes from 10:10 to 17:30, and lasts about 30 minutes. You can join partway through, but the museum recommends watching from the beginning. The 17:30 screening ends at closing time, so visitors are guided out during the end credits and cannot see other exhibits afterward. Re-entry is permitted, but entry may be restricted when it is crowded. According to the museum’s FAQ, seeing all areas of the museum takes about three hours.

Tickets and prices

Admission (tax included) is 2,700 yen for adults (university students and older), 2,200 yen for junior high and high school students and 1,500 yen for elementary school students; preschool children are free. The “1DAY Passport,” which also covers the permanent exhibition areas, including the Bookshelf Theater, costs 3,300 yen for adults, 2,800 yen for junior high and high school students and 2,000 yen for elementary school students on Fever, the official sales site. For admission up to Monday, October 26, there is also a “Leiji Matsumoto Special Passport,” which includes the Leiji Matsumoto exhibition (adults 5,300 yen on weekdays, 5,900 yen on holidays).

Same-day tickets are sold at the general information and ticket counter on the 2nd floor. Since tickets may sell out and buying them takes time on weekends and holidays, the museum recommends buying online in advance. Tickets bought on Fever can be changed to another date until 9:50 on the day of the visit. The disability discount applies only to same-day tickets: on showing the original certificate, the holder and one caregiver pay half price.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take photos?

Commemorative photos can be taken in the passenger car in the foyer. According to the notes on the ticket sales page, flash photography and video recording in the Grand Gallery, as well as the use of tripods, monopods and selfie sticks, are prohibited, and some works may not be photographed.

Can I bring children or a stroller?

Preschool children must be accompanied by a guardian. Some exhibition rooms have narrow aisles and cannot be entered with a stroller, so park strollers in the designated area before entering. Coin lockers are available on the 1st and 2nd floors.

When is the museum closed?

The museum is closed every Tuesday but open on Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday). Opening hours are 10:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30).

Access

The museum is about a 10-minute walk from Higashi-Tokorozawa Station on the JR Musashino Line. Buses bound for Higashi-Tokorozawa Station run from the East Exit of Tokorozawa Station on the Seibu Railway, and the “Tokorozawa–Haneda Line” bus from Haneda Airport also stops at Higashi-Tokorozawa Station. By car, it is about 8 minutes from the Tokorozawa IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway; use the Tokorozawa Sakura Town parking lot (200 yen per 30 minutes). Other immersive venues are introduced in our guide to immersive art venues.

Overview

Name: Galaxy Express 999 THE GALAXY EXPERIENCE: That Journey Still Continues
Dates: Saturday, April 25 – Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday) (extended)
Hours: 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
Closed: Tuesdays (open on Tuesday, November 3, a national holiday)
Venue: Kadokawa Culture Museum, 1F Grand Gallery (in Tokorozawa Sakura Town)
Address: 3-31-3 Higashitokorozawawada, Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture
Admission: Adults (university students and older) 2,700 yen, junior high and high school students 2,200 yen, elementary school students 1,500 yen, free for preschool children
Organizer: Kadokawa Culture Museum (Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation)
Official website: https://kadcul.com/event/260
*Information as of October 19, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: exhibition key visual (from a press release by the Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on a press release from the Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation (September 14, 2026) and information on the official website.

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team