History of the Museum
Establishment and Opening
The idea for the museum emerged around 1977, when residents offered suggestions for how to reuse the site left behind by the relocation of Kurashiki’s city hall. In 1980, the city announced its intention to use the site for a cultural facility. On March 2, 1982, it was formally decided that the former Kurashiki City Waterworks Bureau building would be renovated and converted into a natural history museum.
The Kurashiki City Museum of Natural History officially opened on November 3, 1983. Since then, it has undergone expansions and hosted commemorative projects as it continued developing its exhibitions and educational activities.
Relocation Plans and Future Development
More than 40 years after opening, the existing building has aged considerably. Plans are therefore underway to construct a new museum within the grounds of Life Park Kurashiki in Koshinden, Fukuda-chō, Kurashiki City. In fiscal 2023, a basic plan titled “Life Park Kurashiki Renewal and New Natural History Museum Development Basic Plan” was scheduled to be prepared to guide the relocation and redevelopment project.
Collections and Exhibitions
An Extensive Natural History Collection
As of March 31, 2023, the museum’s primary collections included approximately 11,545 geological specimens, 320,693 botanical specimens, 601,582 insect specimens, and 112,662 zoological specimens. Its registered library holdings included 13,797 books and 46,053 serial publications. More than 90 percent of the collection consists of donated materials, reflecting the support of researchers, collectors, and members of the public.
What to See Inside the Museum
First Floor: Entrance Hall
Visitors are greeted by two animatronic Naumann’s elephants, a mother and calf nicknamed “Naumama” and “Pao.” Sculptures of prehistoric mammals, including woolly rhinoceroses, decorate the walls. The entrance floor also features a learning corner and a mini-aquarium, providing an engaging introduction to the natural world.
Second Floor: The Natural Environment and Wildlife of Okayama
The first exhibition room explores Okayama Prefecture’s landforms, geological history, and fossils. In the second exhibition room, visitors can see taxidermy specimens of animals and plants found in the prefecture, along with a diorama of a limestone plateau. Together, these displays offer insight into the region’s diverse natural environments and the living things that inhabit them.
Third Floor: The World of Insects and Plants
The third exhibition room showcases insect specimens from around the world, illustrating the remarkable diversity of insects and their habitats. The fourth exhibition room focuses on plants found in Okayama Prefecture and Kurashiki City, also exploring their connections with local people’s daily lives.
Special Exhibition Room
The special exhibition room hosts temporary exhibitions on natural history and other related themes. The topics change periodically, giving visitors opportunities to discover new subjects and perspectives beyond the permanent displays.
Educational Programs and Community Activities
Nature Walks and Museum Workshops
The museum organizes a variety of events, including guided nature observation walks, museum lectures, consultations on natural specimens, animal study groups, the “Mushi Mushi Explorers” insect discovery program, and a museum festival. It also takes programs to other municipalities within Okayama Prefecture, strengthening its ties with local communities and encouraging people of all ages to learn about nature.
Support for Schools and Universities
The museum provides practical training opportunities for students from Okayama University and Okayama University of Science, and accepts junior high school students from Kurashiki for workplace experience programs. It also supports school education by lending fossil collections and insect specimens for classroom use.
A Remarkable Discovery by a Young Researcher
In 2005, a high school student participating in the museum’s “Mushi Mushi Explorers” program discovered a previously unknown species of leaf beetle in Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture. The species, named Fukujusō-kaminari-hamushi in Japanese, was formally reported in an academic paper in 2020. This discovery highlights the museum’s role not only in public education but also in supporting scientific research and new findings about the natural world.
Discover the Natural World in Kurashiki
The Kurashiki City Museum of Natural History brings together an extensive collection of specimens and engaging displays that help visitors understand the natural environment of Okayama and the wider world. From prehistoric mammals and fossils to colorful insects and regional plant life, the museum offers an educational experience for families, students, and anyone curious about the diversity of life on Earth.
With its planned relocation and future development, the museum is expected to continue expanding its role as a center for learning, research, and community engagement. Its location beside the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter also makes it a worthwhile addition to a visit exploring the city’s cultural attractions.