Overview of Qiball
Development and Construction
Qiball was developed as part of the Chiba Chuo Sixth District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project, an initiative designed to revitalize the commercial functions of central Chiba City, which had declined following the collapse of Japan’s bubble economy.
The site had previously been occupied by facilities including the Chiba City Hall Chuo Branch Office, formerly the location of Ogiya Jusco, as well as Chiba Fudoson Komyoji Temple.
The commercial section of Qiball opened first on September 1, 2007. The entire complex, including its public facilities, opened on October 20, 2007.
Building Structure
Qiball is a 15-story building above one basement level. Different types of facilities are arranged throughout the building:
- 1st–2nd floors: Commercial facilities
- 3rd–5th floors: Children’s Exchange Center
- 6th floor: Child-Rearing Support Center
- 7th–10th floors: Chiba City Science Museum
- 11th floor: Chuo Ward Office
- 12th–15th floors: Chuo Health and Welfare Center
The building features an open atrium with elevators providing direct access to the various floors. One of its most distinctive features is the spherical planetarium located within the complex.
The Meaning Behind the Name “Qiball”
The name “Qiball” was selected through a vote by Chiba City residents. It expresses the idea of a “ball of hope.” The letter “Q” also serves as a symbolic reference to the spherical planetarium inside the building.
History of Qiball
- 1992: The Ogiya Jusco Chiba store closed.
- 2003: A plan was approved to construct a 15-story building at a total project cost of approximately 19.9 billion yen.
- 2007: The name “Qiball” was selected, and the entire complex opened.
- 2019: The Chuo Ward Office moved into the 11th floor of Qiball.
Main Facilities
Chiba City Science Museum
The Chiba City Science Museum is an interactive science museum built around the concept of “People Take Center Stage.” It offers visitors opportunities to experience science through hands-on exhibits and activities rather than simply viewing displays.
Various programs are held throughout the year, particularly on weekends, including workshops, science craft activities, and special programs such as Plus Science.
Exhibition Areas
The museum is divided into several themed exhibition areas:
- Wonder Town: An area where visitors explore scientific mysteries involving vision, sound, light, numbers, and other phenomena.
- Techno Town: An area introducing the principles behind technologies that support everyday life.
- Geo Town: An area where visitors can explore the wonders of space, Earth, nature, and living organisms.
Planetarium
The planetarium at Chiba City Science Museum features a 23-meter-diameter dome screen and can project more than 10 million stars.
The system can reproduce countless faint stars, including stars that create the appearance of the Milky Way, providing visitors with an immersive experience of the night sky and universe.
Chiba City Children’s Exchange Center
The Chiba City Children’s Exchange Center provides a safe place where children can play and interact with others after school on weekdays and during holidays.
Admission is free, and the facility serves as a community space where local children can spend time together. It is operated under Japan’s designated management system by the Chiba Mirai Children’s Project Consortium (Actio).
Chiba City Child-Rearing Support Center
The Chiba City Child-Rearing Support Center is a support facility for preschool children and their parents or guardians.
It provides spaces where parents and children can play together, access information about childcare, and seek advice about parenting and family-related concerns. Admission is free, and the facility is operated by the Chiba City Private Nursery School Council under a designated management system.
Chiba City Chuo Health and Welfare Center
The Chiba City Chuo Health and Welfare Center serves as a base for health and welfare services in Chuo Ward.
The 12th floor contains examination and health-check facilities, while the 13th and 14th floors handle various applications and administrative procedures. Residents can receive health consultations and access a range of welfare services here.
Chuo Ward Office
The Chuo Ward Office occupies the 11th floor of Qiball and provides a variety of administrative services related to residents’ welfare and health.
- Social Assistance Division: Moved from the 3rd floor in 2007.
- Elderly and Disability Support Division
- Health Division
- Children and Family Affairs Division
- Chiba City Council of Social Welfare: Located on the 15th floor.
Other Commercial Facilities
Qiball also contains commercial and service facilities, including Daiei Gourmet City, the Chiba District Office of the Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu), and a multi-level self-parking facility.
Facilities That Have Relocated
Chiba City Business Support Center
The Chiba City Business Support Center was formerly located on the 13th through 15th floors of Qiball. In 2019, it moved to Chiba Twin Building No. 2.
The center provides consultation and support for local businesses and offers assistance to people interested in starting their own businesses.
Access to Qiball
By Train
- Yoshikawa-koen Station, Chiba Urban Monorail: Approximately 4 minutes on foot
- Chiba-Chuo Station, Keisei Railway: Approximately 5 minutes on foot
- Chiba Station, JR East and Chiba Urban Monorail: Approximately 15 minutes on foot
By Bus
Get off at the Chuo 3-chome bus stop. Qiball is located directly in front of the bus stop.
Conclusion
Qiball is a distinctive multi-purpose complex in central Chiba City that combines public services, science education, childcare support, health and welfare services, and commercial facilities in a single building.
For visitors, the Chiba City Science Museum and its impressive planetarium are among the most accessible attractions, particularly for families and travelers interested in science. The building itself is also an interesting example of the redevelopment of central Chiba City.
With several railway stations within walking distance, Qiball is conveniently located for exploring the surrounding area and provides an opportunity to experience a different side of modern life in Chiba City.