This summer, the Miraikan science museum in Odaiba, Tokyo, in cooperation with the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, will hold a Pokémon-themed exhibit to introduce children to the fundamentals of science. Just as the world of Pokémon has researchers and laboratories dedicated to the study of Pokémon, the museum will set up a Pokémon Lab to let kids imagine themselves as professors studying different Pokémon.

The exhibit will be split into three rooms. Room 1 will ask visitors to observe Poké Balls that have been delivered to the lab and deduce what Pokémon are inside. Room 2, the Collection Room, will explain the diversity of Pokémon and introduce the various species, as well as ask guests to classify them by common characteristics. Room 3 will teach children how the principles of observation and classification they have just learned can be applied in the real world using examples of great scientific discoveries that have been made by children. The exhibit will be split into varying difficulty levels to accommodate all ages. It will also delve into the history of the Pokemon video game series and explore the technology behind it.

Further promotions and merchandise are being planned, and will involve the exhibit's mascot, "Researcher Pikachu." Tickets can be reserved now and come with a pin badge showing Researcher Pikachu deep in thought (although supplies are limited).

Pokémon Lab will open on July 8 in Miraikan's 1st Floor Special Exhibit Zone. Tickets can be reserved at 7-11, Ticketpia, e+, CN Play Guide, and JTB. Prices range from 300 yen (US$2.50) for preorders for toddlers to 1,600 yen (US$13.34) for tickets on arrival for adults.

A Dragon Ball Z science exhibit is also scheduled to run at the Fuji TV headquarters from April 29 to May 10.

[Via Anime! Anime!, Pokémon Lab official site, and Miraikan]