Ibaraki Nature Museum

Museum Park Ibaraki Nature Museum is a facility where a museum and a park are combined into one. After passing through the museum entrance, you are first greeted by the symbolic displays: a 5.3 m tall Songhua River mammoth, a 9.75 m long Nuoerosaurus, and a 12 m metasequoia. The comprehensive exhibitions start with the mechanisms of the universe and move through the history of Earth, the workings of nature and life, and finally humans and the environment—an impressive volume that takes about two hours to see in full. The outdoor area covers 15.8 hectares and offers activities such as birdwatching and fossil hunting, as well as many large play structures that let visitors simulate animal life. Access is either: get off at “Shizen Hakubutsukan Iriguchi” via Kanto Railway Bus and walk about 10 minutes, or get off at the same stop via Ibaraki Kyuko Bus and walk about 15 minutes. Be aware that bus services are very infrequent, so visiting by car is recommended; there is free parking for about 1,000 vehicles.