Echigo-Matsunoyama Museum of Natural Science “Kyororo”, Natural history museum in Bijinbayashi, Tokamachi, Japan.
Echigo-Matsunoyama Museum of Natural Science is a natural history museum housed in a weathering steel building in Tokamachi that focuses on local ecosystems. A 34-meter observation tower and large windows allow visitors to view both the surrounding landscape and indoor nature displays.
The building was designed by architects Takaharu and Yui Tezuka and opened to the public in 2003. The structure received recognition for its architectural design from the Japan Architectural Institute.
The museum displays local plants and animals from the region's rice paddies and wetlands. You can see how the environment changes with each season through its exhibits.
The observation tower provides the best vantage point for viewing both the building and surrounding landscape. The site is accessible and clearly marked for visitors exploring the grounds and exhibits.
The structure expands and contracts with the seasons due to snow load: during winter it supports about 2000 tons of snow while shifting its length by about 20 centimeters. This flexibility is built into the design as an intentional response to the harsh climate.
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