What other travelers are saying about Kurashiki Museum of Natural History
Pretty small and it seems to be pretty old too but it has a lot of charme somehow. We really enjoyed our visit. There are some really interesting things to see even if you don't speak japanese. It is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
Small city museum of science. Lots of collection of insects, good for travelers with young kids. Don't expect much of the hardware though, it's a very aged government building.
Really great museum with a huge collection of specimens. Even though I am a tourist who cannot read a word of Japanese, it was still very fun to visit (All the information displays are in Japanese). The collection itself is worth a visit because of its sheer size.
Superb collection of taxidermy animals, especially the insects, and a fine display overall with nice interactive microscopes for children. I visited with my six year old son and he adored it, hoped there was more and didn't want to leave. Just make sure you go upstairs, as the ground floor display is more of a taster and doesn't do the remaining floors justice at all. The staff were pleasant, and though little English, were kind and considerate and helped us locate an item my boy had forgotten there when we returned. Honestly the insect section rivals the museums of London, a true gem that we stumbled across and happily recommend it.
The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 5:15 PM, with last entry at 4:45 PM. It is closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), from December 28 to January 4, and occasionally for maintenance.
Photography for personal use is generally permitted in most exhibition areas. Flash photography may be restricted in certain sections. Tripods and commercial photography require advance permission from museum staff.
The museum primarily provides information in Japanese. English explanations are limited, with only some key exhibits featuring basic English translations. Translation apps are recommended for international visitors.
The museum conducts workshops and lectures on natural history topics, including fossil identification and nature observation tours. Programs are in Japanese and require advance registration. Schedules are posted on the museum's website.
Yes. The museum features interactive displays and hands-on learning areas for children. It is stroller-accessible and offers free admission for children under 15 years old.
