September 26, 2025
Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI)
Overview
This coming October 24 (Fri) and 25 (Sat), The University of Tokyo Kashiwa Campus will host Kashiwa Open Campus: From Kashiwa’s Wisdom, the Future Unfolds
- TIME & DATE: 10:00am - 4:30pm, October 24 (Fri) and 25 (Sat)
- VENUE: The University of Tokyo Kashiwa Campus
- HOW TO ACCESS THE VENUE: A free shuttle bus will be available from Kashiwanoha Campus Station (Tsukuba Express line)
- ADMISSION: Free
- For more details, go to the University of Tokyo Kashiwa Open Campus 2025 website (Japanese and English)
* Please note, the car park within the campus will not be available. Please use public transport, the free shuttle bus, or bike (bike stands will be available).
Kavli IPMU Events
This year, some events will be streamed live online, and will be available to watch afterwards on archive until November 3.
* Links to archive videos will appear on this page when they are ready.
Lecture: Cosmic Vision, Cellular Precision: Adapting Space Technology for People
- Time & Date: 1:00pm - 2:00pm, October 24 (Fri)
- Venue: Lecture Hall (1F) (note: seats will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Once we have reached full capacity, we may not be able to allow any more people inside the venue)
*This event will be recorded and available to watch on archive*
- Speaker: Tadayuki Takahashi
- Title: Project Professor, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe
- About this talk:
Above Earth’s thick atmosphere lies the true face of the universe—a dynamic world beyond imagination. In this lecture, I will introduce how we observe the universe in X-rays and gamma rays using giant balloons and rockets, capturing dramatic phenomena such as black holes and supernova explosions. I will also explain how technologies developed for these cosmic observations have already been applied to detecting radiation hotspots, and how in the future they may help in discovering cancers at their earliest stages inside the human body
Lecture: Mathematical Legends: Fields Medal History
- Time & Date: 1:00pm - 2:00pm, October 25 (Sat)
- Venue: Lecture Hall (1F) (note: seats will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Once we have reached full capacity, we may not be able to allow any more people inside the venue)
*This event will be recorded and available to watch on archive*
- Speaker: Hiraku Nakajima
- Title: Professor, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe and President, International Mathematical Union
- About this talk:
The Fields Medal is awarded every 4 years to a handful of mathematicians during the International Congress of Mathematicians. It is the highest honor in mathematics, and as President of the International Mathematical Union, I am currently the Chair of the Fields Medal Committee. This lecture will explore the history of the Fields Medal, its influence on mathematics, and I will recount my personal experience witnessing the 1990 Fields Medal announcement and its mathematics.
6. Science for Kids Lecture: How to Catch a Rainbow
- Time & Date: 11:00am - 11:40am, October 25 (Sat)
- Venue: Lecture Hall (1F) (note: seats will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Once we have reached full capacity, we may not be able to allow any more people inside the venue)
*This event will be recorded and available to watch on archive*
- Speaker: Saeko Hayashi
- Title: Project Professor, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe
- About this talk:
Hello everyone, when was the last time you saw a rainbow? You may have noticed that rainbows appear across from the sun after it has stopped raining. Sometimes you can see them within a drop of water sitting on a leaf, or reflected in a puddle on the way to school. Why do we see rainbows, and how are they connected to the Sun? In this talk, we will use a small gadget that will help us see a rainbow, maybe even on your palm. Then we can start exploring what a rainbow is. The science behind a rainbow, is in fact very important to big science gadgets like the Subaru Telescope. The telescope doesn't study our Sun, but it is looking at the light from stars very far away from us. What can their light tell us? Join me in exploring objects far, far away in the universe!
Science Onsen
While "science cafes" began in England, we have adapted the concept and present a Japanese-style "science onsen" or "science hot spring".
- Time & Date: 3:00pm - 4:00pm, October 25 (Sat)
- Speakers: Coming soon
- Venue: Lecture Hall (1F) (note: seats will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Once we have reached full capacity, we may not be able to allow any more people inside the venue)
Film Screening: Marguerite's Theorem (with Japanese subtitles)
“Marguerite's Theorem” (original title: Le Théorème de Marguerite), screened as a Special Invitation Film at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and remains unreleased in Japan. The story follows Marguerite, a brilliant female mathematics graduate student, as she grows as a researcher and the anguish she feels as she becomes increasingly aware of her minority status while studying mathematics. Experience the life of a mathematician through this film. Although the original is in French, this screening will feature Japanese subtitles.
- Time & Date: 2:30pm - 4:30pm, October 24 (Fri)
- Venue: Lecture Hall (1F) (note: seats will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Once we have reached full capacity, we may not be able to allow any more people inside the venue)
* This event will not be streamed online, nor will be available to watch on archive.
NOTE: This film has not been reviewed by the Japan Film Ethics Organization (映倫). However, it has been rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned – Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13) by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA). Please consider this before viewing.
Backstage Tour of Kavli IPMU
The award-winning design of the Kavli IPMU building has been praised for creating a home for scientists that allows people from different countries and different fields to get to know one another. Join one of our tours to get a behind-the-scenes look.
- Tour duration: 30 - 40 minutes
- Starting Time & Dates:
- October 24 (Fri): 11:00am, 12 Noon, 2:30pm, 3:30pm
- October 25 (Sat): 11:00am, 12:30pm, 1:15pm, 2:00pm, 2:45pm, 3:30pm
- Starting point: Registration desk (1F)
- Each tour is limited to 20 people. Tickets are available at the Kavli IPMU reception. 11am - 1:15pm tour tickets will be available from 10am on the day. 2pm - 3:30pm tour tickets will be available from noon on the day. All tickets will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
Peek inside a Kavli IPMU Laboratory!
We will open the doors to Kavli IPMU's Laboratory during open campus. Come and see what kind of research goes on.
- Time & Date: 10:00am - 4:30pm, October 24 and 25
- Venue: Laboratory B (1F)
Research at Kavli IPMU
Have a look at the research Kavli IPMU researchers have been doing. Researchers and graduate students will be available to answer your questions about the universe.
- Time & Date: 10:00am - 4:30pm, October 24 (Fri) and 25 (Sat)
- Venue: Seminar Room A (1F)
*Other exhibits: A replica of the Hyper Suprime-Cam is located outside the Kavli IPMU building. A photo take by the Hyper Supreme-Cam is on display on the 1F. The Belle II Experiment's Silicon Vertex Detector is on display on the 1F.
Kavli IPMU Stamp Rally
Stamp stations have been set up in different locations on the 1F, can you find all of them and complete the multi-layered picture?
- Time & Date: 10:00am - 4:30pm, October 24 (Sat) and 25 (Sat)
- Venue: Kavli IPMU building 1F
Make your own Magic Screen workshop
Draw your own drawing and watch it disappear and appear again!
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Time & Date: 11:00am, 4:00pm, October 24 (Fri)
- Venue: Seminar Room B, 1F
- Each workshop is limited to 10 people. Tickets will be available at the Kavli IPMU reception from 10am on a first come, first serve basis.
Note: This workshop is appropriate for elementary school children ages and above. Pre-elementary school children may also take part, but we ask that a caregiver also be present.
