Two weeks ago, I passed by the National Museum of Singapore (NMS) on a bus on my way to Somerset area and I saw the installation of Doraemon on their front yard! They were still preparing but I could see a lot of Doraemon statue in many poses. I’m not a hardcore fan of Doraemon but still it made me excited somehow. Maybe because I grew up watching him on television every Sunday morning. Two weeks later, which is today, I decided to visit the museum by myself. It was an impromptu decision because I was not in a good mood and needed refreshment.
It turned out to be a good decision! When I reached the NMS, I saw a lot of people at front yard. At first, it kind of turned me off to see so many people there on Thursday afternoon, but I continued walking into the main building. Since I’m not Singaporean nor PR, I have to buy the ticket to enter the other exhibitions. The Doraemon photobooth and ourdoor area are free admission though, also the exhibition on basement. So, I didn’t buy a ticket. I just need to see the Doraemon (and take photos, of course). Besides, I don’t think I have enough time if I went around the whole building and exhibition. It was already late afternoon and they are closing at 7pm.
The guy at reception was very nice. He let me know where to go (and make sure I don’t go to the paid exhibition lol) to the photo booth. I went straight behind the staircase and saw the Time Machine exhibition! There was a queue to enter the restricted area. I wasn’t sure if I wanna queue, since I already took some photos from outside and I didn’t have anyone to help taking my photo.. but I saw the queue was not bad, so I went ahead and stand there. It took me maybe about 10 minutes and it was my turn already. They called up about 8 people each time, to enter the area.
There are only 2 exhibits there. The time machine with Doraemon on it, with background effect that made it look like moving forward. The other one is Dorami, his sister. I took some photos of them and didn’t plan to get my photo taken, until someone asked me to take their photos. Chance!! I asked them for help in return 😀 And voila! I got photos with both of Doraemon and Dorami. Happy me~
There’s nothing more to see there so I went outside of NMS to the front yard. Did the safe entry on the entrance to exhibition area, then started taking photos of the cute Doraemon. Sometime I got lucky to find someone to take my photo too! There was a closed area where we couldn’t go in because they were doing maintenance (or maybe still installing more Doraemon).
Lastly, before I left, I queued to take photo with the famous door of Doraemon, Anywhere Door (or Doko Demo Doa in Japanese). It’s also my favorite Doraemon’s invention! I could go every where with that door, especially during this covid situation.. Okay, back to happy thoughts.. happy thoughts.. I asked someone to help me take the photo. It was hard to take photo without someone on the background but I think this is good enough.
Overall it was a great exhibition. There were not many things to see for the free admission though. I’m not sure whether they still have another exhibition for Doraemon inside (need to pay the General Admission Ticket for non-Singaporean and non-PR). From the website looks like there is something else.
Tip before you go there :
- Wear a cute clothes, and mask (because mask is needed at all time)
- Bring someone else to help taking photo of you (and of course, you help them too). If you go there alone (like me), you can ask for help from the stranger next in line, but make sure to clean up your phone and hands afterward.
- I think it’s better to come early in the morning, or even late in the evening, to take photo with Anywhere Door. Less people around is better. For other part of exhibition, coming as soon as the museum open is maybe a good idea too.
Most likely I’ll visit it again next time with a friend (and this time I will go to the paid exhibition area), but before that I need to think of another pose for the Anywhere Door! Any idea? 😀
tastymonial 