Okuizumo Tane Museum of Natural History

This natural history museum in Okuizumo, Shimane Prefecture explores the theme of “The Evolution of the Universe and the History of Life.” Through fossils and minerals, it traces the journey of life over Approx. 4 billion years. Exhibits include dinosaur fossils such as the full skeleton of a giant Allosaurus and Euoplocephalus with its distinctive tail, along with marine life fossils and gem-quality ammonites that reveal how the Earth was formed.

On the first floor, the main exhibition, “Chronicle of the Universe and Earth,” follows the story from the birth of the universe to the materials that make up Earth and the planet’s history. On the second floor, sea-themed exhibits let visitors learn about the evolution of marine life. The third floor features exhibits on the renowned Japanese dinosaur researcher Ikuo Obata, a book corner, and a history exhibition room on Okuizumo based on archaeological artifacts from the town, where visitors can learn from ancient history to tatara ironmaking.

Another distinctive feature is that the museum also has lodging facilities. As one of Japan’s rare “stay-over museums,” it offers a guest-only “Doki Doki Night Museum” experience, where visitors can enjoy the exhibits in a different atmosphere from the daytime.