Discover regional uniqueness at these three quirky museums in Western Japan

Japan’s quirkiest museums are not limited to urban hubs. Travel just slightly off the beaten path and you will find novel institutions that stand out by embracing regional characteristics.

Even on Japan’s main island of Honshu, food, industries, cultures and lifestyles can differ widely depending on an area. Local museums, therefore, are not only attractions but also introductions to what makes a place truly special.

The Chugoku region — located west of Tokyo and Kyoto — is home to many hidden sightseeing gems and examples of local uniqueness. After visiting major cities such as Hiroshima and Okayama, local public transportation can easily shuttle visitors to quieter corners of the region. Here, a whole new perspective on life in Japan awaits.

Read on for a quick guide to three one-of-a-kind museums in Chugoku and other nearby sights.

1. Iwakuni Shirohebi Museum: Meet the lovable white snakes

This small museum is about a 10-minute walk from the Kintaikyo Bridge. Image: プロスゴ /Pixta

Travelers in Yamaguchi Prefecture often visit Iwakuni to see the famous Kintaikyo Bridge. After crossing this historical landmark, visitors can spend the rest of the day exploring attractions within walking distance of the bridge. These include Iwakuni Castle, restaurants specializing in local foods, samurai residences and the Shirohebi (White Snake) Museum.

Since at least the Edo period (1603-1868), non-venomous white snakes with red eyes — albino Japanese rat snakes — have thrived in the Iwakuni area. Albinism is typically rare in wild snakes, but this trait is so common in Iwakuni that local snakes are often distinguished with the name “Iwakuni white snakes.”

Historical records explain that Iwakuni white snakes were a welcome presence in local rice storehouses because they prevented rodents from eating the valuable grain. This fact gains extra significance when you realize that white snakes are considered servants of Benzaiten — a well-known goddess associated with music, water and fortune among other things.

Iwakuni white snakes are known to be shy and they are not a danger to humans. Image: ふくいのりすけ/Pixta

In short, the Iwakuni white snakes have been highly revered over generations, and were even designated “national natural treasures” in 1972.

In recent years, however, environmental issues have caused a decline in the white snakes’ population. The Shirohebi Museum strives to promote conservation of the white snakes by educating people about their biology and cultural significance. The museum also cares for some resident white snakes. Stop by and you can meet these lovely reptiles face to face.

Iwakuni is accessible by domestic flights from Tokyo or bullet trains from multiple major cities. From Iwakuni station or Shin-Iwakuni station, buses can take visitors to the Kintaikyo Bridge area in about 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Nima Sand Museum: Home of the world's largest hourglass

The Nima Sand Museum was designed by Shin Takamatsu, a locally-born internationally renowned architect. Image: PIXSTAR/Pixta

Shimane Prefecture attracts visitors with treasures like Matsue Castle, the Adachi Museum of Art, Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and Tsuwano (a small town nicknamed “Little Kyoto”). The Nima Sand Museum sits between these attractions along the main JR train line, making it a convenient place to spend two or three hours while traveling between eastern and western Shimane.

Guinness World Records officially attests that the Nima Sand Museum houses the world’s largest hourglass. It takes a full year for every grain of sand to fall into the glass’s bottom, and on Dec. 31, the “Festival of Time” is held to commemorate the hourglass being turned over for a new year.

The world’s largest hourglass is suspended inside one of the glass pyramids that makes up the museum’s structure. Image: REGOLITH/Pixta

The rest of the museum features both science and art. Shimane is home to several famous beaches, and exhibits on the local environment explain topics like the “singing” sand on Kotogahama Beach, which is a short train ride away from the museum. Meanwhile, art workshops allow visitors to create original souvenirs such as glass artworks or postcards of colored sand. With a few exceptions, most workshops do not require reservations.

Shimane is accessible by domestic flights or the Sunrise Izumo sleeper train from Tokyo. Alternatively, bullet train passengers can disembark at Okayama station and take the Yakumo express to Izumo station. From here, ride a local train to Nima station and the sand museum is only about ten minutes away on foot.

3. Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum: A fruit lover’s paradise

The building that houses the Nijisseiki Pear Museum also functions as a local event space. Image: yama/Pixta

Tottori Prefecture is renowned across Japan as a major producer of Asian pears — a fruit with a mild sweetness and a texture resembling an apple. The Nijisseiki Pear Museum, located in the small city of Kurayoshi, tells longtime pear lovers and newcomers alike everything they need to know about this local industry.

Topics of museum exhibits include the workings of modern pear farms and the history of pear cultivation in Tottori, which began over a century ago. Many of the museum’s displays are interactive such as the “Garden of Wonder,” a kids’ play area and exhibit modeled off of a pear orchard.

The most famous exhibits, however, are edible. In the Pear Kitchen Gallery, visitors can sample three different pear varieties. The Fruit Parlor cafe, meanwhile, offers soft serve and other pear desserts for an extra fee.

A small pear orchard is maintained outside the museum, showing visitors a glimpse of what local farms are like. Image: papa88/Pixta

After visiting the pear museum, fans of toys or pop culture should make a stop at the Kurayoshi Figure Museum. Formerly an elementary school and rescued from demolition by local efforts, this museum houses a massive collection of figurines that includes dinosaurs, animals, superheroes and anime characters.

Travel outside of Kurayoshi and there are many more sights to see such as hot spring resorts, the Tottori Sand Dunes and the Tottori Sand Museum, which houses rotating exhibits of sand sculptures.

Tottori has two airports that are accessible via domestic flights from Tokyo. The Super Hakuto limited express train also provides direct access to Kurayoshi from cities like Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Rental bicycles (¥500 - ¥2,000 for a half or whole day) are a popular way to traverse Kurayoshi, but local buses can transport visitors as well. Stop by the Ekipal Kurayoshi Tourist Information Center (at Kurayoshi station) for details on local transportation.

Discovering more

Every city, town and region of Japan is unique in its own way. Local museums are both attractions and ambassadors, forging connections and understanding between visitors and residents. To add context to your travels and become acquainted with local individuality, don’t skip a visit to the museums.