[Temporarily Closed] Iwaki City Coal & Fossil Museum (Horuru)

[Temporarily Closed] Iwaki City Coal & Fossil Museum (Horuru)

*Please note that the Iwaki City Coal & Fossil Museum (Horuru) remains temporarily closed until 2024.

 

Lovingly referred to as 'Horuru' by locals, Iwaki City Coal & Fossil Museum is home to exhibitions on the city's history of coal mining. Horuru also exhibits a range of fossils, including the locally-excavated Plesiosaur Futabasaurus, which was discovered by a high school student. There are also some hands-on experiences to try out, such as making your own amber accessories. Horuru is accessible on foot from Iwaki Yumoto Onsen town, and is a great addition to any trip to the Iwaki area.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttp://kankou-iwaki.com/fun/931.html
Contact

Iwaki Tourism and City Planning Bureau

Best SeasonAll Year
Estimated Visit Time1h
Opening Hours

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)

Closed the 3rd Tuesday of the month (or the following day if the 3rd Tuesday falls on a national holiday). Closed on January 1.

ParkingAvailable
Entrance FeeAdults 660 yen; Junior High, High School, University Students 440 yen; Elementary School Students 330 yen
Access Details
Access3-1 Mukaida, Joban-Yumoto-machi, Iwaki City, Fukushima Pref. 972-8321
View directions
Getting there

By Car: 10 min drive from the Iwaki Yumoto I.C. exit off the Joban Expressway.

By Train: 10 min walk from JR Yumoto Sta. (JR Joban Line).

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Museums & Galleries

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum

<p><span style="color:#000000">The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum (東日本大震災・原子力災害伝承館, often referred to in Japanese only as </span><span style="color:#000000"><em>&lsquo;Denshokan&rsquo; </em></span><span style="color:#000000">[伝承館]) is located in Futaba town, in the coastal area of Fukushima prefecture.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000">Through exhibitions, storytelling, research and interactive displays, visitors can learn about this area before, during and after the disaster, deepen their understanding of the revitalization of Fukushima and the decommissioning of the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, as well as listen to testimonies of residents.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000">This museum shows how Fukushima has dealt with a complex and unprecedented disaster and its ongoing consequences, and communicates lessons for the future on the importance of disaster prevention and mitigation.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000">The museum opened in September 2020 and has about 200 items related to the The Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster on permanent exhibition.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000">Exhibits include explanations in both English and Japanese.</span></p><p><span style="color:#000000">Located nearby the museum is the Futaba Business Incubation and Community Center.</span></p>
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Historical Sites

Shiramizu Amidado Temple

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Discover Coastal Area

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Opened on Saturday, May 30, 2020, the museum was established to share the history of the disaster and the following reconstruction efforts by preserving and exhibiting materials related to the earthquake and tsunami, giving talks by local storytellers, and other activities. This way, they are able to preserve the memories and lessons of the disaster.  There are panel displays about the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant accident, as well as about recovery and reconstruction, and displays of actual items damaged in the disaster, such as a blackboard from the former Toyoma Junior High School. The Iwaki Storyteller's Group offers regular lectures on the disaster. For more information on lectures, please visit this website.

Aquamarine Fukushima
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Aquamarine Fukushima

<p>Aquamarine Fukushima is an &lsquo;environmental aquarium&rsquo; that exhibits aquatic creatures in environments which closely mimic their natural habitats.</p><p>As well as being an aquarium, Aquamarine Fukushima is also home to a research center and offers educational information about sustainability and conservation.</p><p>The main exhibits are two gigantic tanks that extend from the second to the fourth floor, reproducing Shiome no Umi, an area of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture where the Kuroshio (Black Current) and the Oyashio (Kurile Current) meet.</p><p>Visitors can enjoy walking through a transparent tunnel whilst being surrounded by the wealth of marine life found in Shiome no Umi, which includes vast schools of sardines and bonito. On the fourth floor, visitors can also visit a calming botanical garden which exhibits the various plant life of Fukushima Prefecture.</p><p>In addition, guests can see over the top of the main tank, a great spot to appreciate the sheer scale of the water and the curious marine life below. There is also a touch tank where&nbsp;interested visitors can try touching starfish and other small sea critters.</p><p>Since its establishment, Aquamarine Fukushima has conducted research into an ancient species of fish called coelacanths, and its findings are exhibited on the first floor in a corner entitled the World of Coelacanths. Here visitors can view an anatomical specimen of the rarely seen coelacanth and watch exclusive footage of living coelacanths.</p><p>There are events throughout the year, with many activities for children and families to enjoy together including a fish maze, art festivals, and a fishing experience where you can catch real fish to be fried for lunch!</p><p>If catching your own lunch doesn&rsquo;t appeal to you, you are in luck as there is a seafood market selling fresh seafood just a 10-minute walk away!</p><p>The seafood market is located within <a href="https://fukushima.travel/destination/iwaki-lalamew/200">Iwaki Lalamew</a>, a shopping center that also includes restaurants where you can dine on locally sourced, freshly caught fish.</p>
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