#Japan #Tokyo #Earth-kun #Tokyo Sewer #Rainbow Museum

Celebrating 25 Years of Earth-kun

The Rainbow Sewer Museum is excited to announce a special event titled "Learn with Earth-kun!" in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the official character Earth-kun on September 10, 2023, coinciding with Japan's Sewer Day. To commemorate this milestone, a variety of engaging activities have been planned where families can discover more about sewers and their essential role in our everyday lives.

Special Science Live

One of the highlights of the festival will take place on October 19, featuring Genki Ichioka, a renowned science artist with over 1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Attendees can join him for a live science demonstration focused on water and sewer systems. The sessions are scheduled for 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, lasting approximately 40 minutes each. The venue for this exciting event is the Rainbow Cinema Multipurpose Room, with a capacity of 75 for the first session and 80 for the second. Reservations can be made via the official website starting from midnight on October 4, 2023, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fun Craft Workshops

The festival will also include a series of fun craft workshops. Sessions will run throughout the day at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, lasting around 30 minutes each. Participants can choose from projects such as paper cup lantern making, creating pop-up cards featuring Earth-kun, or crafting Halloween straps that glow under UV light. The workshops invite participation from everyone, including young children, although preschoolers should be accompanied by an adult. Each workshop accommodates 20 people, with reservations accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hands-On Job Experience

For those curious about the world of sewers, an “Experience the Job” program will allow participants to get hands-on experience with tasks such as cleaning sewer pipes and observing aquatic organisms. This unique program will cater not only to elementary students but also to younger children and adults. The session times are 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 3:30 PM, with limited spots available for each session.

Guided Tour of Arai Water Reclamation Center

Visitors can also join guided tours of the Arai Water Reclamation Center, viewing the inner workings of a real wastewater treatment facility. Tours will run at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM, each lasting approximately 60 minutes, with limited spots available through both web reservations and on-site sign-ups starting at 9:30 AM on the day of the event.

Educational Experiments and Activities

In addition to these programs, an interactive demonstration highlighting the importance of keeping drains clear will be featured, with sessions set for 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM. Participants will learn about the unexpected consequences of what goes down the drain, making for an enlightening experience.

Stamp Rally and Photo Contests

As part of the festival, visitors can participate in the 3-in-1 stamp rally, collecting stamps from the Rainbow Sewer Museum, Arai Sports Center, and Koto City Arai Children's Library. Completing the stamp collection enables participants to claim special Earth-kun stickers at the museum's information desk. A photo campaign will encourage visitors to share their experiences on social media using the hashtag #RainbowSewerMuseum, with limited-edition cotton tote bags available for participants.

Limited Edition LINE Stickers

In conjunction with the anniversary, exclusive Earth-kun LINE stickers will be released starting October 18, 2023. The first two days will allow festival-goers to download these stickers exclusively, making it a perfect opportunity to engage with a beloved character.

Important Visitor Information

To ensure a smooth experience, attendees are encouraged to decide in advance which programs they wish to participate in, as some sessions may overlap in timing. Additionally, due to anticipated crowds, arriving early is advisable. Please note that some regular programs will be suspended during the event.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Rainbow Sewer Museum for this celebration of education, creativity, and community involvement in environmental sustainability!