Hichisō Precambrian Museum

The Hichisō Precambrian Museum is a mineralogical facility in Gifu that collects and displays rocks and minerals from Earth's earliest geological ages. The collection focuses on specimens that document Japan's ancient geological origins.

The institution was founded in 1996 and gained importance by preserving ancient geological discoveries. The core of the collection came from a finding made in the 1970s in a ravine near the Hida River.

The museum displays rocks that connect different regions of Japan through collaborative donations and shared geological heritage. These specimens tell the story of how communities work together to preserve and understand Earth's ancient history.

The museum is located in Shichisocho in Gifu Prefecture and is accessible daily. Visitors should plan ahead as the facility sits in a remote location and requires advance travel arrangements.

The museum preserves two of Japan's oldest known stones, which together create a complete picture of the country's geological beginnings. This pair of specimens represents a scientific rarity that is seldom seen worldwide.

Location: Hichiso

Architects: Daiken Sekkei

Official opening: April 1996

Website: http://ishihaku.hichiso.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.53311,137.11475

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04