What Super-Kamiokande does

Super-Kamiokande (legal name: 東京大学宇宙線研究所附属神岡宇宙素粒子研究施設, Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, the University of Tokyo) is a large-scale underground neutrino and particle-physics observatory located 600–1,000 metres below the surface in the Kamioka Mine, Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Its core instrument is a 50,000-ton water Cherenkov detector instrumented with 11,146 50-cm photomultiplier tubes, in continuous operation since April 1996. The detector identifies neutrino interactions, atmospheric and solar neutrino oscillations, supernova neutrinos, and candidate proton-decay events by imaging Cherenkov light in ultrapure water; since July 2020 it has operated in the SK-Gd configuration, in which gadolinium sulphate is dissolved in the water to enable neutron tagging and electron-antineutrino identification.

The observatory is run as a non-commercial, publicly funded research facility — operated by ICRR within the University of Tokyo and supported through MEXT/JSPS — with mission objectives that include neutrino-oscillation physics, proton-decay searches, supernova and supernova-relic-neutrino observation, and complementary dark-matter experiments. Research output is produced through international collaborations spanning approximately 20 countries and 40+ partner institutions, with relevant agreements covering J-PARC/KEK (long-baseline T2K beamline partner), CERN (electronics assembly/test hub), University of Toyama (Hyper-Kamiokande photosensor-assembly hub), and the XENONnT and KAGRA consortia. The facility's next-generation successor, Hyper-Kamiokande (260,000-ton tank, 190,000-ton fiducial mass, approximately 10x the effective volume of Super-Kamiokande, with ~40,000 photosensors), is under construction approximately 600 metres underground adjacent to the existing site, following completion of the world's largest artificial underground cavern in September 2025; physics observation is targeted for 2028.

The business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: no products or services are sold, no pricing is published, and access for collaborating researchers is granted through formal inter-institutional agreements. Revenue streams consist of Japanese government research budgets, competitive JSPS grants, and in-kind contributions from international partners, with international cost-sharing actively coordinated (e.g., Hyper-Kamiokande fiscal-monitoring committee meeting held in Spain in July 2026). Headcount comprises 4 professors, 3 associate professors, and approximately 8 graduate students directly affiliated with the observatory; the broader 500+ researcher figure reflects the wider Hyper-Kamiokande collaboration rather than direct employees. The facility's reputational profile is anchored by two Nobel Prizes in Physics (2002 and 2015) and a sustained publication record.

Name

Super-Kamiokande

Legal name

東京大学宇宙線研究所附属神岡宇宙素粒子研究施設 (Kamioka Observatory, Institute for Cosmic Ray Research, The University of Tokyo)

Website

https://www-sk.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Super-Kamiokande is a publicly funded underground water Cherenkov neutrino observatory in the Kamioka Mine, Japan, operated by the University of Tokyo's ICRR. It serves an international collaboration of 500+ researchers across ~20 countries, conducting neutrino physics, proton-decay searches, and dark-matter research, with next-generation Hyper-Kamiokande construction underway.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Particle Physics Research / Neutrino Observatory

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (92711), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

akta.pro primary industry

Radiation Detection Instruments & Systems (Portal monitors, spectrometers, contamination monitors) (EUAKAIAK)

Keywords

• Neutrino detection research
• Particle physics experiments
• Dark matter search
• Proton decay search
• Water cherenkov detector

Headquarters

HQ city

Hida

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: Funded by Japanese government through the University of Tokyo and Institute for Cosmic Ray Research. Receives support from Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and various research grants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Super-Kamiokande operates a 50,000-ton underground water Cherenkov neutrino detector for fundamental physics research, including observation of atmospheric, solar, supernova, and accelerator-produced neutrinos, as well as proton decay searches and dark matter detection. The facility provides access to world-class experimental infrastructure for international research collaborations. The next-generation Hyper-Kamiokande detector (260,000-ton water tank) is under construction with observations targeted to begin in 2028.

Product overview

Super-Kamiokande (Kamioka Observatory, ICRR, University of Tokyo) is a research facility operating several interconnected neutrino and particle physics detectors. The primary product is Super-Kamiokande (SK), a 50,000-ton water Cherenkov detector that has been operational since 1996, making groundbreaking discoveries including atmospheric neutrino oscillations. The facility is currently constructing Hyper-Kamiokande (HK), a next-generation detector with 10x larger fiducial mass (190,000 tons effective volume), targeting 2028 operation. The portfolio includes completed experiments like XMASS (liquid xenon dark matter search) and active international collaborations including XENONnT (dark matter), T2K (neutrino oscillations), and KAGRA (gravitational waves). SK was enhanced with the SK-Gd upgrade adding gadolinium for improved neutron detection. Public engagement tools include 3D virtual tours of Hyper-Kamiokande and a metaverse-based virtual Super-Kamiokande experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Super-Kamiokande (SK): 50,000 ton water Cherenkov neutrino detector, successor to original Kamiokande
• Hyper-Kamiokande (HK)
• SK-Gd
• XMASS

Products and services

• Super-Kamiokande (SK) A 50,000-ton water Cherenkov detector located 1,000 meters underground in the Kamioka Mine, used for neutrino observation, proton decay searches, and supernova neutrino detection. Operational since 1996, it discovered atmospheric neutrino oscillations in 1998. The detector is equipped with 11,146 photomultiplier tubes (50cm diameter).
• Hyper-Kamiokande (HK) A next-generation neutrino and proton decay detector currently under construction 600 meters underground in Kamioka. With a fiducial mass approximately 10 times larger than Super-Kamiokande (260,000 tons of water, 190,000 ton effective volume), it aims to observe CP violation in neutrinos, detect supernova neutrinos, and search for proton decay. The detector uses newly developed high-sensitivity 50cm PMTs and multi-PMT compound eye photosensors.
• XMASS A liquid xenon detector for direct dark matter search conducted at the Kamioka Observatory. The experiment used an 800kg liquid xenon detector. The experiment was completed in October 2024.
• Super-Kamiokande Gadolinium (SK-Gd) An upgrade to Super-Kamiokande achieved by dissolving gadolinium sulfate in the detector water, dramatically improving neutron detection efficiency and enabling electron antineutrino identification for supernova relic neutrino searches.
• T2K (Tokai-to-Kamioka) A long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment using a neutrino beam from J-PARC accelerator in Tokai, Ibaraki, detected by the Super-Kamiokande detector 295 km away. Contributed to the discovery of muon-to-electron neutrino oscillations in 2011.
• KAGRA (Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector) A laser interferometer gravitational wave telescope located in the same mine as Super-Kamiokande, with a 3km baseline. Part of the gravitational wave observation network.
• XENONnT An international dark matter direct detection experiment using liquid xenon, conducted at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy. The Kamioka group contributes expertise and personnel transferred from the XMASS experiment.
• 3D Virtual Tour of Hyper-Kamiokande An online 3D virtual tour released in February 2026, allowing public exploration of the Hyper-Kamiokande underground facility using high-resolution 3D-scanned data.
• Virtual Super-Kamiokande (Metaverse) A virtual reality recreation of the Super-Kamiokande detector built on the metaverse platform 'cluster', allowing users to explore the detector and experience Cherenkov light visualization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Discovery of atmospheric neutrino oscillations (1998) - proving neutrinos have mass
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and adjacent.

• University of ToyamacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026MOU signed to strengthen collaboration in astroparticle physics research including Hyper-Kamiokande. University of Toyama will serve as regional hub for assembly and preparation of Hyper-Kamiokande photosensors. Approximately 3,600 outer detector photosensors will be delivered starting July 2026 for performance evaluation and assembly.
• J-PARC (Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh-intensity neutrino beam facility in Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture. Provides neutrino beam for T2K experiment and future Hyper-Kamiokande experiments. Beam power upgrade planned for 20x more neutrino observations.
• KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host institution with University of Tokyo for Hyper-Kamiokande project. Provides accelerator expertise and neutrino beamline development. T2K experiment collaboration partner.
• International Hyper-Kamiokande Collaboration (20+ countries)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 500 researchers from approximately 20 countries participating. Countries include Japan, US, UK, Italy, France, Canada, Poland, Korea, China, Spain and others. Each country contributes to different detector components and research activities.
• XENONnT Collaboration (Italy - Gran Sasso)adjacentStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer XMASS experiment members from Kamioka contribute to international dark matter direct search experiment conducted at Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Italy. Research collaboration between Kamioka-based researchers and international XENON team.
• KAGRA Gravitational Wave ObservatoryadjacentStrategic or Co-development PartnerGravitational wave detector also located in Kamioka mine. Shares underground facility infrastructure. Collaborative research in multi-messenger astronomy combining neutrino and gravitational wave observations.
• T2K Experiment CollaborationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment using J-PARC neutrino beam and Super-Kamiokande as far detector. Discovered muon-to-electron neutrino oscillation (third oscillation mode) in 2011.
• CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHyper-Kamiokande electronics assembly and testing conducted at CERN facilities. European hub for detector component preparation and quality verification.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IceCube Neutrino Observatory: IceCube is a cubic-kilometer neutrino detector at the South Pole using Cherenkov light detection in ice. Directly comparable to Super-Kamiokande as a large-scale, international neutrino observatory pursuing oscillation, supernova, and dark matter physics.
• Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO): SNO solved the solar neutrino problem using heavy water and was the direct precursor to SK's neutrino oscillation discoveries. Highly comparable as a heavy-water Cherenkov neutrino observatory; SNO+ continues the program.
• Borexino: Borexino at Gran Sasso measured low-energy solar neutrinos in real time using liquid scintillator. Comparable to SK's solar neutrino program and a direct peer in underground neutrino observatories.
• KamLAND: KamLAND is a liquid-scintillator neutrino detector also located in the Kamioka mine, sharing infrastructure and host institution with Super-Kamiokande. Direct peer in reactor and geoneutrino measurements.
• KAGRA: KAGRA is a 3km-baseline gravitational-wave detector co-located in the Kamioka mine and operated by the same ICRR/University of Tokyo group. Direct peer in shared underground infrastructure and multi-messenger astronomy.

Emerging players

• JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory): JUNO is a 20-kton liquid scintillator detector in China targeting neutrino mass ordering and supernova relic neutrinos. Direct scientific competitor to Hyper-Kamiokande on flagship oscillation and SRN measurements.
• DUNE (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment): DUNE at Fermilab/SURF uses a 1,300 km baseline with liquid argon TPCs to measure CP violation. Major scientific competitor to Hyper-Kamiokande on the same flagship lepton CP-violation question.
• XENONnT / DARWIN: XENONnT at Gran Sasso is a multi-ton liquid xenon dark matter direct-detection experiment. Several Kamioka XMASS alumni joined XENONnT, and it is the leading dark matter detector that complements SK/HK's indirect searches.

Broad incumbents

• Gran Sasso National Laboratory (INFN-LNGS): Gran Sasso is Europe's largest underground physics laboratory hosting Borexino, XENONnT, and LVD. Comparable to Kamioka as a multi-experiment underground physics facility with extensive international hosting capability.
• CERN: CERN is the leading global high-energy physics laboratory and a Hyper-Kamiokande collaboration partner (electronics assembly/testing). Comparable as a large-scale, internationally funded fundamental physics research organization with multiple flagship experiments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kamiokaobs_pr
• Facebookfacebook.com/100064530766535
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/super-kamiokande

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Super-Kamiokande