#3617

JAMSTEC Should be a first Choice for a Visit During Your Japan Travel

JAMSTEC stands for Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

JAMSTEC stands for Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology was renamed from Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre in April 2004.

http://www.jamstec.go.jp/chikyu/eng/ChikyuImages/video2.html

JAMSTEC’s main objective is “to contribute to the advancement of academic research related to the ocean for the benefit of the peace and human welfare.” JAMSTEC will need to address the following challenges related to research and development over the next 15 years:

• An integrated understanding and prediction of global environmental changes.

• The establishment of an advanced understanding of the Earth’s interior, and its application for the mitigation of earthquake and tsunami disasters.

• A comprehensive study of the evolution of life and the history of the Earth.

• Development of resources research, and biotechnology.
The Yokosuka Head Office/Research Centre is located at 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061. Web: http://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/ Public Relations Department Email: www-admin@jamstec.go.jp Tel: +81-46-867-9070 Fax: +81-46-867-9055

Approximately 6 months ago, American Chamber of Commerce Japan (ACCJ)’s environment and science divisions sponsored a speaking engagement with the Director from JAMSTEC. During his presentation, the director went into the functions of JAMSTEC as well as what they have done since Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The organization has quite a few vessels along with both manned and unmanned submarines to conduct scientific research not only around the Japanese water but all over the world. Then in the recent past, ACCJ was invited back to participate in their guided facility tours along with our members. They offer guided group tours with 10 or more people on either Japanese or in English. They can even tailor the tour based on the interests of the group.

Once out team arrived at their facility, we were met by their staff and taken to a conference room to view the video. The video was so interesting and could not take our eyes off the screen. Then they have taken us to see their submarine fleets, various scientific labs and discussed what those submarines have done in the past to include what happened to cause such a large Tsunami during March 11, 2011 earthquake. One of their vessels with drilling capability went to the subduction zone and have taken quite a bit of core sample and discovered that the plate slipped approximately 50 meters easterly rather easily, where the scientist used to believe plate slippage would not occur easily. This was validated by the reading of low temperature taken from the core sample. If the plate movement was very hard, then the higher temperature would have shown up. The amount of friction (plate movement) would have caused either the high or the low temperature. If anyone is thinking about swimming from Japan to Hawaii in the future, your swimming distance has been shortened by 50 meters. : )))

All submarines can go down to the depth of 3,000 meters but others can dive much deeper and explore the parts of our ocean we have never seen before. A fascinating adventure, not only for the kids but for the adults as well.
They hold an open house once a year and it is held during the summer time and I’ve actually attended one last year and it was such an eye opening event for they have so many displays for all ages, hold scientific discovery and other presentations and learn so much about our most abundant resource - ocean. Do go there if you have a chance next summer. They had free shuttles going back and forth from JAMTEC to “Oppama” train station, which is on the Keikyu train line. Take your kids and expose them to such a positive scientific event. Who knows, they may be the one who will discover the secrets of deep ocean mysteries.

The tours are available free of charge at 9:30-12:00 or 13:30-17:00, Monday through Friday. The tour takes approximately one and a half hours.
Tour Guidelines:
• Tours are booked on a first come, first served basis.
• Tour application form should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to your visit.
• This is a walking tour including a maintenance shop, experiment facility, etc. Please wear comfortable shoes with no high-heel.
• Tour details may be altered depending on the schedule of research vessels, underwater vehicles, and experiments and so on. Please be aware that if there is a sudden change in the schedule, it may not be possible to see vessels, vehicles, etc.

AustinA image

AustinA

United States

AustinA's other advice

Have you Heard of Hayama Gyu Japanese Beef? images

Have you Heard of Hayama Gyu Japanese Beef?

Just a few days ago, I had an opportunity to visit one of the best “Wagyu Cattle Ranches” in Japan, which is located in the city of Hayama, less than 2 hours train/ bus ride from Tokyo. The ranch is …

Journey on the Tokaido (Shinagawa is Stop Number Two) images

Journey on the Tokaido (Shinagawa is Stop Number Two)

Now that we have left the first stop Nihonbashi (described in my previous article), we are approaching our next stop of Shinagawa. Imagine you are traveling from Edo (Present Tokyo) to Kyoto during e…

Journey on the Tokaido Goju San Tsugi (53-station Highway) images

Journey on the Tokaido Goju San Tsugi (53-station Highway)

Recently, I took a casual walk to a very famous Tokyo locale known as “Nihonbashi”. It is to the North of JR Tokyo station. It was a nice 10-plus minute walk from the station and as I walked carefull…

Shomyoji Temple, A Beautiful Place in Yokohama Japan images

Shomyoji Temple, A Beautiful Place in Yokohama Japan

I am going to introduce you to a temple call Shomyoji Temple, which is located in Kanazawa Bunko, Yokohama. Kanazawa Bunko is located approximately 20 minutes south of Yokohama JR station. To get to …

Ginkgo Biloba, Get Ready for a Gold Tokyo! images

Ginkgo Biloba, Get Ready for a Gold Tokyo!

I live in the city of Shinagawa and on my way to Shinagawa JR train station, I walk along the properly spaced and placed trees along the main road along the JR train tracks. The tree I am describing …

Good Smoking Rule in Japan images

Good Smoking Rule in Japan

Many years ago, my Dad as well as some of my other family members from the US were stationed in various parts of Japan from just after WWII. When I was with them, one of the questions they often ask …

You might also like

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore images

5 Traditional Japanese Villages to Explore

The rural area of Japan is quite worth an exploration. Many villages in Japan have typical Japanese styles. Although they are quite far away from big cities, you can enjoy enchanting natural views an…

Alexlovetravel image

Alexlovetravel

“Benkyoukai” Helps People in Japan Get Ahead images

“Benkyoukai” Helps People in Japan Get Ahead

Allow me to introduce you to a term Benkyoukai. The term Benkyoukai is made up of three Kanji Characters and the first one is written as 勉, which means “exertion”. The second character is w…

AustinA image

AustinA

Funniest Japanese Show in Japan: Itte-Q images

Funniest Japanese Show in Japan: Itte-Q

If you're interested in japanese TV, Itte-Q is the show to watch. Even if you don't understand Japanese, the show should be entertaining. Its on Channel 4 from 8pm every sunday. On the show, they do …

GenS image

GenS

The Top 8 Places to Beat Summer Heat in Japan images

The Top 8 Places to Beat Summer Heat in Japan

Where do Japanese love to visit to avoid summer heat in Japan? I searched the top 8 summer resorts loved by Japanese including Furano in Hokkaido, Okinawa, Karuizawa and Hakone, which are famous amon…

Alexlovetravel image

Alexlovetravel

Where History Meets Art in One Tokyo Landmark images

Where History Meets Art in One Tokyo Landmark

There's no shortage of art galleries in Japan, but in upscale old-school Ginza, there's one that goes back, waaaaaaaaay back.The Okuno Building, built in 1932, was originally constructed to serve…

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Mitarai - Hiroshima's Best Kept Secret images

Mitarai - Hiroshima's Best Kept Secret

Connected by a set of scenic bridges to the mainland, the historic island town of Mitarai sits on the eastern outcrop of Osaki Shimojima Island in the Seto Inland Sea. The island is home to the m…

Tom Miyagawa image

Tom Miyagawa