Gunma Museum of Natural History

The Gunma Museum of Natural History opened in 1996 in Tomioka City, Gunma Prefecture, establishing itself as one of Japan's premier natural history institutions. Located in the foothills of Mount Myogi, the museum was purpose-built to showcase the geological and biological heritage of the Gunma region while providing broader context about Earth's natural history spanning 4.6 billion years.

The museum holds particular significance for its focus on the geology and paleontology of the Kanto region, which sits at the junction of multiple tectonic plates. Its collections document the dramatic geological transformations that shaped the Japanese archipelago, from ancient volcanic activity to the formation of mountain ranges. The facility serves as an important research center, housing over 400,000 specimens including fossils, minerals, and preserved biological specimens that chronicle life from the Paleozoic era to the present day.

Visitors explore five main exhibition halls that progress chronologically through Earth's history. The dinosaur exhibition features life-sized skeletal reconstructions and fossil specimens, including locally discovered dinosaur footprints. The Gunma Nature Hall showcases the prefecture's diverse ecosystems from mountain forests to river valleys, with carefully crafted dioramas displaying native wildlife in realistic habitats. Interactive exhibits allow hands-on engagement with geological specimens, and the Evolution Hall traces the development of life through meticulously preserved fossils. A theater presentation uses audiovisual technology to illustrate concepts like plate tectonics and volcanic formation.

The museum is located approximately 100 kilometers northwest of Tokyo. From Takasaki Station, accessible via the JR Takasaki Line or Joetsu Shinkansen, visitors can take the Joshin Dentetsu railway to Joshu-Tomioka Station, followed by a 15-minute bus ride or taxi. By car, the museum is roughly 20 minutes from the Tomioka Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway. General admission costs ¥520 for adults, with reduced rates of ¥260 for university and high school students. The museum provides free parking and includes a museum shop offering educational materials and fossil replicas.