Gunma Museum of Natural History, Natural history museum in Tomioka, Japan
The Gunma Museum of Natural History displays a 12-meter-high Brachiosaurus skeleton alongside extensive collections of regional fossils, geological specimens, and natural science artifacts. The building organizes these holdings across several exhibition areas that cover different aspects of the natural world.
The facility opened in 1996 as a separate institution after it split from the original Gunma Prefectural Museum through major renovations and collection transfers. This separation allowed the space to focus entirely on natural history and expand its displays.
The museum attracts local families and school groups who use it to learn about the natural world through exhibits reflecting the region's geological story. Visitors come to understand how the landscape around Tomioka formed and changed over time.
The museum sits in an easily accessible location in Tomioka where visitors can spend time exploring the various exhibitions at their own pace. It works best when you set aside a few hours to see the collections thoroughly, especially if visiting with children.
The museum features a mechanical Tyrannosaurus rex model that ranks among Japan's largest and moves in ways that capture visitors' attention. A robot naturalist explains the evolution of living creatures alongside it, turning learning into an interactive experience.
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