Looking for a unique way to connect with Japan’s natural beauty?
The many Nature and Natural History Museums near Tokyo offer a glimpse into Japan’s landscapes, wildlife, and geology. Perfect for curious travelers, these spots combine learning with adventure.
Check out our picks below for inspiration—or explore even more museums near Tokyo on our museum page!
Come visit this nature museum, specially dedicated to Nikko National Park and its 🐸 wildlife.
Step into the Seasonal Color Hall and soar past Nikko’s peaks on a gigantic panoramic screen as you watch the 🍁 seasons go by! Then, head upstairs and let yourself be captivated by the 🎼sounds of the forest as you walk through a diorama of 🌲 towering trees, tiptoeing past deer, and coming face to face with a life-size bear 🐻 😱.
Don’t forget to stop by the 🎁 gift shop to pick up a furry of your own, and when you’re done, why not borrow one of the museum’s 🚲bicycles and ✨ explore Nikko for yourself! Take a stroll among Nikko’s 🐺 furries and explore your love of wildlife! 🏔
1.5 hours for the museum.
There is many things to see in Nikko so you should stay 1-2 days in the area.
3 hours
Take the bus from either JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station.
[By Car]Take the Nikko-Utsunomiya Doro (expressway) to Kiyotaki IC and continu driving up Irohazaka Road
JR Nikko Station & Tobu Nikko Station
From JR Nikko Sta. or Tobu Nikko Sta., take the Tobu bus towards Chuzenji Onsen or Yumoto Onsen and get off at Chuzenji Onsen bus stop. (45min)
Museum is in front of the bus stop.
+81-288-55-0880
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
💭 Have you ever wondered how the geology of the Earth has transformed? Ever been curious about how the area north of Tokyo was millions of years ago? 🏛️ Saitama Museum of Natural History holds all the answers to these questions and more ✨!
No matter if you’re a local or a first-timer, Saitama Museum of Natural History offers you brand-new surprises and treasures to discover! Come and dive yourself into a world of prehistoric fossils, 🏞️ forest replications, and creatures!
The rare exhibit of Paleoparadoxia, a 🔮 mysterious Sea Monster from 15 million years ago, will definitely make the highlight of your day!
Come and break the dimensions of time and 🔎 experience the 🌎 world!
All year around
1 hour for the museum.
There is many things to see and do in Chichibu so you should stay 1-2 days in the area.
2 hours 15min
Take the JR Takasaki Line to Kumagaya Station.
From Kumagaya Sta. change to the Chichibu Railway (Chichibu Honsen Line) towards Kagemori and get off at Kami-Nagatoro Sta. and walk 300m.
[From Ikebukuro]Take the Tobu Tojo Line to Kami-Nagatoro Sta. and walk 300m.
*You may have to change trains
Kami-Nagatoro Station (Chichibu Honsen)
1417-1 Nagatoro, Nagatoro Town, Nagatoro-Gun, Saitama Pref. 369-1305 Japan
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
1hr 45min from Tokyo
Japanese: ミュージアムパーク茨城県自然博物館
From 😱realistic dinosaur displays to 🐦outdoor activities, the Ibaraki Nature Museum has it all!
Ibaraki Prefecture attracts tourists from all over the world because of its 🌿great nature, so why not learn more about the mechanism behind those ✨amazing views?
This museum is especially great for your kids and for curious grown-ups! They have English 🎧audio guidance for you to thoroughly enjoy their diverse 🔭exhibitions, aimed to deepen your understanding of the trajectory of our 🌍earth. They also have outdoor activities like 🔍fossil searching (you can rent shovels😍), as well as a 🍵restaurant and a nice museum store!
Also closed from 29th Dec to 1st Jan
2-3 hours
1 hour 45 min
There are several ways, but easiest is to take the Tsukuba Express from Akihabara Sta. in Tokyo.
Get off at Moriya Station (40min) and take the bus to Iwai and get off at Shizen Hakubutsukan Iriguchi (30min) and walk 700m.
Moriya Station (Tsukuba Express) or Atago Station (Tobu Railway)
20-30min bus ride from Moriya Station and Atago Station
+81-297-38-2000
700 Osaki, Bando city, Ibaraki Pref. 306-0622
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
Take a 👀close look at Gunma’s unique 🌻🌳wildlife!
From the marshy lowlands to the forested mountains, you’ll be 😳amazed by the life-size dioramas.
Pose next to a furry family of 📸🐻bears, and 👣walk right up to a caveman. Is that a 🐺fox slinking through the bushes? And don’t miss the towering collection of real dinosaur fossils. You won’t believe their size❗️ Watch out for that wooly 🐘mammoth!
From the dawn of 🌏Earth to the modern day, there’s something for ✨😃everyone!
They are closed a couple of weeks a year for maintenance so please check their website or contact them in advance!
2 hours for the museum.
Tomioka Silk Mill (A UNESCO world heritage) is nearby to spend a day visiting the area (Tomioka city).
2 hours
Take the Jyoetsu Shinkansen or Hokuriku Shinkansen (Bullet train) to Takasaki Station.
From Takasaki Station take the Jyoshin Dentetsu to Jyoshu Tomioka station and take a taxi (15 min).
Jyoshu Tomioka Station (Jyoshin Dentetsu Railway) or JR Isobe Station (Shinetsu Line)
15 min taxi ride from either stations.
+81-274-60-1200
1674-1 Kamikuroiwa, Tomioka City, Gunma Pref. 370-2345 Japan
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
Get up-close to Nikko’s 🐰bunnies, 🐒monkeys and deer without having to climb a ⛰️mountain! You’ll feel like you’re in the heart of 🌲🌳nature next to these life-like 😍replicas!
But it’s not just today’s animals. This museum will take you 😃back in time! Look a T-rex right in the 👀eye as his friends soar overhead. And don’t miss the furry 😮doll mascot from ancient Japan❗️
When you’ve seen the museum, step right outside and take stroll through the lush Tochigi Central 🏞️Park.
The best part is, it’s a quick 🚅train ride from Tokyo❗️ So what are you waiting for?
*When Monday is a national holiday museum is open on Monday and closed on Tuesday (The following day).
*Closed 2 weeks in June and end of year and New Year so please check their website or call them before visiting.
1.5 hours for the museum
1.5 hours
Take the Tohoku Shinkansen or Yamagata Shinkansen to JR Utsunomiya Station.
Catch the No. 37 bus to ‘Chuoukoen Hakubutsukan Mae’ or the No. 43 bus to ‘Bunseigeijyutsu Daigaku Fuzoku Chukou’ bus stop and walk 5 min.
Tobu Utsunomiya Station or JR Utsunomiya Station
From JR Utsunomiya Sta. or Tobu Utsunomiya Sta.
Take the No. 37 bus to ‘Chuoukoen Hakubutsukan Mae’ or the No. 43 bus to ‘Bunseigeijyutsu Daigaku Fuzoku Chukou’ bus stop and walk 5 min.
*From Tobu Utsunomiya Station you need to walk to the ‘Tobu Ekimae’ Bus stop
+81-28-634-1311
2-2 Mutsumi-cho, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Pref. 320-0865 Japan
This information was correct at the time of publishing, but please check with the attractions and/or the tourist board before traveling.
Discover all The Best Museums Near Tokyo here.
Why not also check out the best Car Museums near Tokyo as well!
(click on the pink links to see more)
