Nima Sand Museum, Sand exhibition museum in Oda, Japan
Nima Sand Museum is a sand museum in Oda with six glass pyramid structures containing exhibits about sand properties, formation processes, and varieties from around the world. The displays present scientific phenomena related to sand and showcase collections that help visitors understand the material's diversity.
The museum opened on March 3, 1991, designed by architect Shin Takamatsu to preserve the musical properties of Kotogahama Beach sands. Its founding reflected the desire to protect this natural phenomenon and its scientific interest for future generations.
The museum celebrates the singing sands of Kotogahama Beach, which hold special meaning in the local tradition. Visitors can experience firsthand why these sands matter to the community and what makes them sonically distinct.
The museum sits about a ten-minute walk from JR Nima Station and is easy to reach. Regular opening hours let visitors plan their visit flexibly and explore the displays at their own pace.
The museum houses one of the world's largest hourglasses, standing about five meters tall and filled with singing sand from Yamagata Prefecture. Visitors can watch this remarkable timekeeper and learn how long it takes for all the sand to flow through.
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