Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History

Outline of the Museum of Natural History

The Museum was established in March 1995, separated and developed from the natural history section of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum in Yokohama. In addition to the exhibitions, the Museum conducts such work as survey and research on nature, and material collection and preservation. Utilizing these, it also carries out study support activities like lecture courses, observation sessions, etc.

The Earth's history of 4.6 billion years, as well as its miraculous aspects is explained chronologically from its birth to the present. The Exhibition presents over 10,000 pieces of real specimens, ranging from skeletons of gargantuan dinosaurs or meteors to tiny insects. Visitors are allowed to take photographs (not for commercial/academic use only).
In the Regular Exhibition Hall JUMBO BOOKS, there are 27 cases shaped like huge encyclopedia, as high as 2.5m, to display real specimens. Donated collections and exhibits on the specific topics are presented at all times.

Books, magazines and videos on nature are offered for reference use. We receive visitors' technical questions at any time. Visitors are also able to use computers to search through the vast amount of information kept by the Museum, including image database of fish and plant specimens.

Frequent use of audio-visual presentation at various parts of the Exhibition Halls is one of the major features of the Museum. Short films and interactive quiz enjoyed by both adults and children are shown on the 200-inch large high-definition screen, allowing visitors to gain deeper understanding of the exhibitions.

• "School Vacation Period" indicates summer and vacations, as well as the so-called Golden Week national holidays.
• There may be cancellation of the programs or changes to the venue without notice.

* English and Korean sound channels are available by using earphone (rent for free).

** Japanese Language only.

Hours of Operation

9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Must enter the museum by 4:00 p.m.)

Closed Days

• Mondays (Open on the National holidays, and holidays following the National holidays on Sunday.)
• Days following the National holidays (Open when these days fall on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.)
• Days for change of exhibits (The second Tuesdays of odd months)
• During the yearend season (From Dec. 29 to Jan. 3)
• There are also temporarily closed days.

Admission Fee

• Adult (ages 20 to 64, except university and college students) : ¥510 (¥400)
• Youth (under 20) and university and college students : ¥300 (¥200)
• Seniors (65 and over) and high school students : ¥100 (¥100)
• Junior high school students and children (under 12) : Free
• People with disabilities and their attendants : Free
  • The fees in the parenthesis are group reductions (for groups of 20 chargeable people and more).
  • If you have "Hakone FreePass" or "Fuji Hakone Pass", we apply the fees in the parenthesis.
    (Show your "Hakone FreePass" when you enter.)
  • Students and senior citizens may be asked to present their identifications.

Group Reservation

Visitors in the group are advised to make a reservation for a parking lot for their bus and admission tickets. Receptions hours are between 8:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.

By Train

3-minute walk from Iriuda station of Hakone Tozan Railway

By Car

If coming from Odawara, turn left at the intersection with a sign of "Museum of Natural History" of the National Route No.1. A sign is also put up on the pedestrian overpass.

Parking lot (capacity of 150)

Free

* Parking lot may not be available when school is off, such as spring vacation, summer vacation, and the holidays in May. So, train is recommended to come to the museum. Odakyu Line also runs to Hakone Yumoto Station.

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