Museum Features and Layout
The museum offers a wide range of educational and interactive programs, including natural history and cultural exhibitions, the My Museum Gallery featuring displays by local residents, special events, hands-on activities, and guided exhibition explanations. These programs make the museum enjoyable for both children and adults.
The museum consists of two buildings: the Main Building and the My Museum Building. The third floors of the two buildings are connected by a covered passageway.
Facilities in the Main Building
Natural History Exhibition Rooms
These galleries introduce the geological formation of Gifu Prefecture and its present-day natural environment. Exhibits also explore the relationship between nature and human life.
Humanities Exhibition Rooms
These galleries present the history and culture of Gifu Prefecture, from ancient times to the modern era.
Special Exhibition Room and Planning Exhibition Room
These spaces host exhibitions devoted to specific themes, including temporary displays that change over time.
Library and Reference Room
The library and reference room houses books and research materials related to Gifu Prefecture.
Minna no Heya
Minna no Heya, meaning “Everyone’s Room,” is a communal space where visitors can relax and interact freely.
Facilities in the My Museum Building
My Museum Gallery
This gallery provides local residents with a space to exhibit their personal collections, creative works, and other items of interest.
Kenpaku Hall
Kenpaku Hall is used for lectures, public events, and other programs organized by the museum.
Outdoor Facilities
Nature Observation Trail
This walking trail complements the museum’s indoor exhibitions by allowing visitors to observe seasonal changes in the natural environment. The trail includes areas of azaleas, a botanical garden, a grove of witch hazel trees, and a scenic observation point.
Former Tokuyama Village House
This traditional residence from the former Tokuyama Village was relocated and reconstructed on the museum grounds. The wooden house has a single-story structure with part of the building extending to a second floor, and features a thatched roof.
The house serves as a place to learn about and preserve the traditional way of life in Tokuyama Village for future generations. In 2018, the building was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan under the name Former Miyagawa Family Residence Main Building.
Detailed Exhibition Highlights
Natural History Exhibition Rooms
The Origins of Nature
This section explores the geological history of Gifu Prefecture, presenting information about its rocks, landforms, and geological development from the Precambrian era through the Cenozoic era.
Nature Today
This exhibition introduces Gifu’s present-day natural environment, highlighting its identity as a region of mountains and abundant water. The displays convey the appeal of the landscapes traditionally associated with Hida and Mino.
Nature and People
This section examines the relationship between people and the natural environment, including the mountains and rivers that have influenced life in Gifu Prefecture.
Humanities Exhibition Rooms
Gifu Prefecture from Ancient Times to the Present
These exhibits trace the region’s history and cultural development from the Stone Age to modern times, offering insight into the lives and traditions of the people who have lived here.
Japanese Sword Exhibition Corner
Collection of Japanese Swords
This section displays valuable Japanese swords, including swords confiscated and collected under postwar disarmament measures, commonly known as Akabane swords.
History and Development of the Museum
Construction of the Main Building began in 1973 and was completed in 1975. The three-story building later became connected to the My Museum Building when the latter was completed in 1995, creating a unified entrance arrangement.
Construction of the My Museum Building began in 1994 and was completed in 1995. This four-story building expanded the museum’s storage capacity and exhibition space.
Preservation and Public Access to the Former Tokuyama Village House
The interior of the Former Tokuyama Village House was closed to the public for an extended period because of deterioration. Restoration and improvement work began in 2019, with reopening to visitors planned for 2024.
Why Visit Gifu Prefectural Museum?
Gifu Prefectural Museum is a comprehensive museum where visitors can explore both the natural environment and cultural heritage of Gifu Prefecture. Its collections cover geological history, local ecosystems, regional history, traditional culture, and Japanese swords.
With its varied exhibitions, hands-on learning opportunities, and outdoor nature trail, the museum offers an engaging experience for families, students, history enthusiasts, and anyone interested in discovering the landscapes and traditions of central Japan.