Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum (名寄市北国博物館) is a museum that showcases the history of Nayoro City. It is located at 222 Midorioka, Nayoro City in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.
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| Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum |
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum Details
The Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum, located in the picturesque city of Nayoro, Hokkaido, offers a fascinating journey into the region’s history, culture, and natural wonders. Opened on February 10, 1996, the museum has continually evolved to provide an enriching experience for its visitors. In 2010, the museum's video exhibition corner underwent a complete renovation, adding a modern touch to its permanent exhibition room. By 2018, it further contributed to preserving local heritage by collaborating on a modern Japanese version of Matsuura Takeshiro’s "Teshio Diary."
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| Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum - Nayoro City, Hokkaido Prefecture |
A Modern and Functional Space
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum is a two-story building with a total floor area of 2,099 m², thoughtfully designed to host various exhibits and activities. The first floor features the entrance hall, gallery hall, permanent exhibition room, and secure storage areas for valuable artifacts. Meanwhile, the second floor includes an auditorium for community events, archives for historical research, a dedicated research room, and a community information room that shares local insights and updates.
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| Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum facade |
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| Tickets to Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum |
Captivating Exhibitions
One of the highlights of the museum is the Foucault Pendulum in the entrance hall, a striking symbol of Nayoro's iconic winter sun pillars. In the Permanent Exhibition Room, visitors can explore exhibits on Northern Japan's geography and history, the science behind Nayoro’s snowy and cold climate, and artifacts from the Ice Age. The Kamuy Forest exhibit offers a deep dive into Ainu culture, focusing on their harmonious relationship with nature during winter. Other displays showcase Nayoro’s adaptation to cold climates through housing, tools, and everyday life.
The Video and Information Search Corner features a stunning multi-screen presentation of Nayoro’s seasonal changes, highlighting the city’s flowers, birds, trees, and designated cultural properties. In the Local Corner, visitors can learn about nationally recognized natural monuments like Suzuishi and Takashikozo, Ainu legend keeper Kitakaze Isoyoshi, and famed sumo wrestler Nayoro Rock.
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum Exhibits*
*I posted only a handful of photos of the exhibits, and I purposely didn't label them so that you would only get a glimpse of what Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.
Large-Scale Artifact Storage
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum also houses a large-scale material storage facility, and a repurposed classroom from the former Nayoro Vocational Training School. This impressive space spans 2,882 square meters and features over 1,000 artifacts, offering a treasure trove for history enthusiasts.
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| Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum lobby |
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| The entrance to the paid exhibit area |
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| The view of the lobby from the 2nd floor |
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| The wooden owl sculpture displayed in the lobby |
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| キムンカムイ |
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| Animal Corner |
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| There is also a bird-watching area in the Animal Corner |
Outdoor Attractions
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| SL Snow Removal Train “Kimaroki” |
In addition to its indoor exhibitions, the museum’s outdoor spaces allow visitors to connect with Nayoro’s natural environment, creating a well-rounded experience. This includes the well-preserved SL Snow Removal Train “Kimaroki”, the only one of its kind in Japan. This unique train consists of a locomotive, a macray car, a rotary car, and another locomotive. Its preservation is a testament to Nayoro’s dedication to safeguarding its history. I wrote about this before. If you’re interested, you can read it HERE.
Team Nicerio visits Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum
On June 18, 2023, during our Father and Daughter Road Trip #3, my daughter and I, along with my friend Mike, visited the Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum. It marked my 594th day in Japan as an ALT under the JET Programme. Although we had explored the museum grounds during our first visit to Nayoro City, we hadn’t been able to go inside due to time constraints. I’m glad we finally got the chance to revisit and delve into the rich history of the city.
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum Admission Fee
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| Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum Admission Fees |
To enter, visitors need to pay an admission fee.
18 years old and younger – FREE
19 – 64 years old – 220 yen
65 years old and older – 110 yen
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum Operating Hours
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. It’s closed every Monday unless it is a National Holiday.
Why visit Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum?
For history enthusiasts and those looking to learn more about Nayoro City, this museum is definitely worth a visit. It's informative, well-curated, and conveniently located, making it a great stop for anyone visiting the area.
Getting to Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum
Nayoro City Hokkoku Museum is located 1.3 kilometers from Nayoro Station, approximately a 20-minute walk.
Alternatively, you can take the Dohoku bus company's 2-Nayoro Line Local bus heading to Asahikawa Station from Nayoro Station and alight at the Seishikojomae bus stop. From there, it's about a 550-meter walk to the museum.
Travel time: 9 minutes
Fare: 160 yen
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