Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center - Hokkaido

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center (中川町エコミュージアムセンター) is a natural history museum that houses numerous prehistoric exhibits. It is located at 28-9 Yasukawa in the town of Nakagawa, Nakagawa District in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan.

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center Details

The Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center is a unique destination that combines a natural history museum with an overnight training facility, offering an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. Housed in the repurposed building of the former Saku Junior High School, which closed in 1999, this center beautifully integrates history, education, and community revitalization. 

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center - Nakagawa town, Hokkaido Prefecture

The gymnasium has been transformed into a fascinating museum, while the school building now serves as a training facility for overnight stays, making it a versatile hub for learning and exploration.

A Town-Wide Eco-Museum Initiative

Nakagawa Town has embraced the concept of an eco-museum, turning the entire area into a living museum. This innovative approach focuses on preserving and showcasing the town's natural and historical treasures, particularly its wealth of fossils. The Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center serves as the cornerstone of this initiative, driving regional revitalization by celebrating the town's unique heritage.

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center facade and parking area

When we visited, the lavender around the parking area was in full bloom

The street lights were decorated with plesiosaurus images

The center has also gained national recognition for its "hometown learning" programs, which integrate local history and natural science into education. These programs have been praised by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, further solidifying Nakagawa Town as a model for community-driven education and preservation.

A Global Fossil Hotspot

Hokkaido is one of the world's most significant regions for ammonite fossils, and Nakagawa Town plays a prominent role in this legacy. With over 500 species of ammonites discovered in Hokkaido and more than 100 species originating in Nakagawa, the town has become a haven for paleontology enthusiasts.

エコミュージアムセンター 中川町自然誌博物館

Visitors need to change into indoor slippers when exploring the museum. 

Exhibit Hall entrance

One of Nakagawa’s unique contributions is its ammonite fossils with an iridescent pearl-like luster. This rare phenomenon occurs due to the preservation of aragonite, the same mineral found in pearl oysters, which is typically lost during fossilization. These shimmering fossils offer a glimpse into the marine life that thrived in the Late Cretaceous Period.

Geological Riches of the Yezo Group

The fossils found in Nakagawa Town are primarily extracted from the Yezo Group, a marine stratum from the Late Cretaceous Period that stretches across Hokkaido, from Cape Erimo to Cape Soya. This stratum, exposed by river erosion in Nakagawa, has yielded numerous significant discoveries, including new species like the Nakagawa herring and a giant squid. These findings have cemented Nakagawa’s reputation as one of Japan’s premier sources of Cretaceous marine fossils.

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum also promotes the Pokémon Fossil Museum

Highlights of the Museum

The museum features an impressive array of exhibits, including a complete reconstructed skeleton of a long-necked dinosaur discovered in Nakagawa in 1991. Known as the "Nakagawa Long-necked Dinosaur," this Elasmosauridae specimen stretches an astonishing 11 meters in length, making it the largest of its kind in Japan. Dating back 72 million years, this dinosaur is a testament to Nakagawa’s prehistoric significance.

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center 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 the Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center has to offer. Please visit it and enjoy it with your own eyes.

The museum also displays ammonite fossils from Nakagawa and neighboring areas, many of which have been donated by private collectors. These exhibits, combined with the interactive and educational programs held at the center, provide a comprehensive understanding of the town's natural history.

Events and Educational Opportunities

In the summer, Nakagawa Town hosts events such as forest schools and local observation classes, offering hands-on learning experiences that connect participants with the region’s natural beauty and historical significance. These activities reflect the town's commitment to fostering environmental awareness and appreciation for its rich heritage.

Team Nicerio visits the Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center

Last July 17, 2023, my daughter and I wrapped up our Father and Daughter Road Trip #5 with a visit to the Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center, coinciding with my 623rd day in Japan as an ALT with the JET Programme. This museum was the final stop on our itinerary, and with some time to spare, we spent about an hour exploring its fascinating exhibits. We both enjoyed learning about prehistoric creatures, but the highlight for my daughter was the paleontology fieldwork activity. She had a blast carefully brushing away sand to uncover hidden fossils—a perfect experience for a budding dinosaur enthusiast! As a fellow fan of dinosaurs, I highly recommend this museum to anyone who shares a love for these ancient creatures.

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center Admission Fee

High school students and older: 200 yen (150 yen for groups of 10 or more)

Junior high school students and younger: 100 yen (70 yen for groups of 10 or more)

Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center Operating Hours

Summer (Tuesday to Sunday): 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Winter (Monday to Friday): 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The museum is closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday) and during New Year’s holidays (December 29th to January 6th).

Winter Closure Note: From mid-November to mid-April, the museum is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Exact dates may vary each year, so it’s best to confirm in advance.

Why Visit the Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center?

The Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center is more than just a museum—it’s a gateway to understanding the geological and historical wonders of Hokkaido. From its shimmering ammonite fossils to the majestic skeleton of the Nakagawa Long-necked Dinosaur, the center offers an unparalleled experience for travelers, families, and paleontology enthusiasts. Combined with the town's innovative eco-museum concept, this destination provides a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of history, science, and community in a truly immersive setting.

Getting to the Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center

From Nayoro Station, board the Soya Line Local Wakkanai train operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company. Board down at Saku Station. 

Once there, walk for about 1.4 kilometers to the Nakagawa Town Eco Museum Center.

Travel time: 2 hours and 3 minutes

Fare: 2,020 yen

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