Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History

北九州市立自然史・歴史博物館いのちのたび博物館

Enjoy learning about the progression of nature and human life from prehistoric times to the present day!

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This is one of the largest natural and human history museums in western Japan, with more than 9,000 exhibits. Under the theme of “the Journey of Life,” visitors can enjoy a grand scale of exhibits from the birth of the earth to the evolution of life and the history of humankind.
The first thing that greets you as you enter the museum is the dinosaurs in the “Earth Mall,” the natural history zone. These include specimens of recreated large-scale skeletons of well-known dinosaurs like tyrannosaurus and triceratops. In particular, the 15-meter-long spinosaurus specimen is a must-see! It was one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs that existed during the Cretaceous Period, and its quadrupedal form is a sight to behold.
In the “Envairama Pavilion,” there is a 360-degree diorama recreating Kitakyushu as it was 130 million years ago. When the dinosaurs come to life with light and sound effects, visitors can feel as if they have stepped back in time to a prehistoric world.
Large-scale stuffed animals hanging from the ceiling can be seen in the “Diversity of Life” pavilion. Mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and many other creatures appear as if they are alive! Touch panels allow visitors to learn the stories behind each of the specimens on display.
All of the exhibits are highly entertaining, and no matter how many times you visit the museum, you will discover and learn something new.

Basic Information

Address (Japanese)	805-0071　福岡県北九州市八幡東区東田2-4-1
Address	2-4-1 Higashida, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka
Telephone Number	093-681-1011（Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History）
Fax Number	093-661-7503（北九州市立自然史・歴史博物館いのちのたび博物館）
Open	9:00-17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Closed	Year-end and New Year's holidays Around late June (for pest control)
Price	Admission (Permanent Exhibitions) Adults: 600 yen High school students and older: 360 yen Elementary and junior high school students: 240 yen Children under elementary school age: Free
Car Park	300 spaces (100 yen for 30 minutes / flat rate of 800 yen for 4 hours or more)
Large Parking Lot	30 spaces (250 yen for 30 minutes / flat rate of 2,000 yen for 4 hours or more)
Access	Approx. 5 minutes walk from Space World Station on the JR Kagoshima Main Line Approx. 3 minutes from Edamitsu Ramp on the Kitakyushu Urban Expressway
Website	Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History official website
Remarks	Experience Programs: Group use only. Advance reservations required. Accessibility: wheelchair parking, wheelchair restrooms, wheelchair rentals, ramps, elevators for disabled persons.

＊Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.

Not Just Dinosaurs! Experience Ancient Life in the History Zone

Many people think of the natural history zone with dinosaur skeletons when they think of the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History, but in fact, the history zone is also not to be missed. In the Exploration Hall, visitors can experience a day in the Yayoi period through the life-size diorama of the Nagano Konishida Ruins in Kitakyushu City, which reproduces pit houses, storage pits, waterways, and other features.
In the “Theme Pavilion,” there is a life-size stone chamber model of the Hiagari Ipponmatsuzuka burial mound, a city-designated historical site. Inside, there is a wall painting with a radiating pattern using bengara, which gives visitors an idea of what the burial mound looked like in ancient times. If you lie down inside the tomb, you may understand the feelings of ancient people.
In addition, other valuable real artifacts from Kitakyushu City, such as a broad-bladed copper halberd excavated from the Shigetome site, a nationally designated important cultural property, are on display along with a reconstructed model of the site.