National Museum of Nature and Science

The National Museum of Nature and Science is a comprehensive science museum founded in 1877 (Meiji 10). With a collection of more than 5.2 million items, it presents the history of the Earth, life, and humankind.
The museum is divided into two main sections: the Japan Hall and the Earth Hall. The Japan Hall, which also serves as the main entrance, was completed in 1931 (Showa 6).
Its impressive exterior and distinctive interior features—including a white domed ceiling and stained-glass windows—have earned the building designation as a National Important Cultural Property.
Under the theme “Nature of the Japanese Archipelago and Us,” the Japan Hall explores the formation of the Japanese archipelago and traces how people and various animal species have adapted and evolved in response to environmental change.
The Earth Hall, which extends from the third basement level to the third floor, is themed “The History of Life on Earth and Humanity.” Through a wide range of exhibits, it introduces the emergence of life, the processes of evolution and extinction, the workings of nature, the development of science and technology, and the mysteries of the universe.
The dinosaur skeletons on display, representing creatures that disappeared after failing to adapt to environmental change, convey a sense of awe quite different from that found in science-fiction films, transporting visitors back to the distant past.
Meanwhile, humanity continued to evolve and build increasingly complex civilizations. The many inventions that symbolize this progress, together with exhibits tracing humankind’s journey into space, invite visitors to reflect on both our past and our future.