About us
Kyoto Municipal Center for Promotion of Environment Protection (COP3 Memorial Hall）Miyako Ecology Center
Miyako Ecology Center is a core facility for environmental learning and the expansion of environmental protection activities. It was opened in 2002 to commemorate the the 3rd session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3) in Kyoto.
Miyako Ecology Center offers city residents opportunities for environmental learning and programs for purposes such as preventing global warming and reducing waste. Through environmental learning, it is also working to develop personnel who will carry out community environmental protection activities.
The Center includes experience-type exhibits on subjects such as global warming, waste reduction, and energy conservation, as well as an environmental library corner and biotope. The building itself incorporates improvements to lower its environmental impact, and is host to events, classes, and other opportunities to enjoy learning and thinking about environmental problems year-round.
Introduction to exhibits
1F [Main exhibition room]
This room is packed with thought-provoking ideas that visitors can see, touch, and feel in relation to environmental problems occurring around the world and their connections to our own lives.
2F [Special exhibition corner]
A variety of limited-time special exhibitions are held based on particular themes.
3F [Library corner, communication corner]
Visitors can read books and watch videos to learn about ecology.
Rooftop [Biotope]
The biotope contains a rice field, agricultural field, and pond, and visitors can see seasonal vegetables, flowers, plants, and animals.
The building itself as an exhibit
Miyako Ecology Center building includes solar panels, use of rainwater, use of geothermal energy, outer walls with high thermal insulation, and use of natural materials and recycled construction materials. It has also introduced equipment that conserves energy and resources, reducing its environmental impact.
Environmental volunteers
- Eco-mates
- Environmental volunteers (known as “Eco-mates”) are active at the Miyako Ecology Center. They perform tasks such as providing information to visitors and conducting environmental learning programs for elementary school students.
- * Services in languages other than Japanese are not available.
Events, classes, and tours
Events
Events are held monthly for the purpose of clearly communicating information about environmental problems to a wide range of persons from children to adults.
Classes
Courses on themes such as natural energy and environmental education are conducted for persons who are interested in environmental problems, aiming to improve their levels of knowledge and skills and to develop persons who are capable of taking action.
Tours
Visitors to the Center come not only from Kyoto but also from all parts of Japan and countries around the world. If a reservation is made in advance, a tour conducted by Center staff is available. The standard tour time is 1.5 – 2 hours. (This is the time for a tour in Japanese. For a tour with interpreting, approximately 2´ this time is required.) Persons who would like a tour in a language other than Japanese must bring an interpreter. Please be aware that the Center cannot provide interpreters.
