Usually when you think of a museum you think of the standard art, history, or science museums.
Many places around the world have some fantastic museums, but Japan has some of the most
unusual. If you ever find yourself in Japan with time to spare, I suggest you check out at least
one of the three unique museums below.
Takao Trick Art Museum
1786 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-0844, Japan
http://www.trickart.jp/en/
The Takao Trick Art Museum is a great place to go if you want to have some silly fun. This
museum is filled with optical illusions, 3-D art, and photo stations where you can take funny
pictures to share. To the passerby, the museum may look a little out of place and even gaudy
but I encourage anyone to give it a shot. It is like The Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum, it’s fun
to go at least once!
Shinyokohama Ramen Museum
2-14-21 Shinyokohama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama-City, 222-0033, Japan
http://www.raumen.co.jp/english/
Ramen, also known in the U.S. as the college students’ best friend when you run out of meal
credits”, is a quick and easy meal. The Shinyokohama Raumen Museum takes you through the
history of ramen and all the different spices, noodles, and accompaniments. Not only does it
give you a history lesson but you can try and purchase different style ramen from various
regions of Japan. After you are full of the deliciousness, try your hand at racing on the 30 meter
long slot-car race track! This museum also has free Wi-Fi so you can share all the wonderful
ramen pictures on Facebook on the spot.
Meguro Parasitological Museum
4-1-1, Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064, Japan
http://www.kiseichu.org/Pages/english.aspx
The Meguro Parasitological Museum is not for those that have a weak stomach or are afraid of
creepy crawly things. This museum is definitely unusual in that it houses parasitic specimens,
about 300, and a 29 foot tapeworm. It is not a place in which I would visit on the same day as
the Shinyokohama Ramen Museum. This museum also has free admission as it runs on
generous donations. Before you leave, don’t forget to pick up your tapeworm t-shirt and
support their research!
This article was a contest submission.
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Updated: August 19, 2015
Updated: August 19, 2015