Japanese museums, including "Miraikan" and the Wakayama Prefectural Museum, are utilizing 3D printing to offer visually impaired visitors a tactile experience and improve accessibility.
"Touch Tours" at "Miraikan" allow visually impaired visitors to feel and experience exhibits such as an ISS module.
While Japan is making progress, museums overseas are more advanced in terms of accessibility for people with visual impairments.
Japanese Museums Turn to 3D Printing to Provide Barrier-Free Culture for the Visually Impaired.
For people with visual impairments, visiting museums in Japan can often be a challenge, as most museums are not tailored to their specific needs. However, some are leading the way with creative ideas and seeking inspiration from overseas.
The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in the Koto district of Tokyo, popularly known as "Miraikan" (Museum of the Future), has become a pioneer in accessibility in recent years. In the past, topics like space, science, and modern technology were almost exclusively conveyed through visual methods, which posed an insurmountable hurdle for people with visual impairments.
The development of accessible concepts began internally and was later driven forward with the involvement of people with visual impairments. The evolution of exhibitions gained momentum, particularly in 2021, when Chieko Asakawa, who is blind, became the museum's director.
Since March 2023, the Miraikan has been offering "Touch Tours," explicitly encouraging people with visual impairments to touch exhibits. This allows visitors to, for example, feel a 1:1 model of an International Space Station (ISS) module. The tours are accompanied by trained "Science Communicators" who explain what is being felt and touched during the two-hour tours.
The Wakayama Prefectural Museum began considering the needs of visually impaired visitors years ago. Through collaboration with the Wakayama Technical College, faithful replicas of cultural artifacts, such as Buddha statues, were created using 3D printing. These replicas can be touched and explored by visually impaired individuals in the museum.
Although Japanese museums have made increased efforts to cater to the needs of people with visual impairments in recent years, there is still much work to be done. Audioguides and touchable exhibits are still rare in Japan. In comparison, museums in the United States and many European countries are much further ahead in terms of accessibility.
The efforts of Japanese museums to create barrier-free culture are an important step. The opening of museums to a more diverse audience benefits everyone.
