Itoigawa is the site of the world's oldest known jade-using culture, dating back over 5,000 years.
The museum building sits directly on the Itoigawa-Shizuoka Tectonic Line, the boundary between the two major halves of Japan.
The exhibit displays 'Omi-ishi,' a rare metamorphic rock containing jadeite that is unique to the Itoigawa region.
The Fossa Magna is technically a Cenozoic rift valley that has been filled with volcanic materials and marine sediments over millions of years.
The museum features a large-scale collection of fluorescent minerals that glow under UV light in a dedicated darkened room.
The Fossa Magna Museum is a comprehensive earth science facility dedicated to the geology of the Itoigawa UNESCO Global Geopark. It is named after the Fossa Magna, the massive rift valley that physically divides the Japanese archipelago into Northeast and Southwest Japan. The museum houses an extensive collection of minerals, rocks, and fossils found within the region, highlighting the area's diverse tectonic history. A central feature of the display is the deep connection between Itoigawa's geology and the history of jade, which was prized by the ancient Jomon civilization. Visitors can explore the tectonic movements that pushed marine sediments to high altitudes. The exhibits detail how the intersection of three major tectonic plates created the region's unique landscape. The museum serves as the core information center for understanding the broader Itoigawa Geopark.
The large, polished jade boulder displayed in the museum entrance lobby.
Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Kotakigawa Jade Gorge to see jade in its natural habitat.
Check the museum's rotating special exhibition schedule, as they often host seasonal displays on regional seismic history.
Allocate time to interact with the geological maps that demonstrate the collision of the Eurasian, North American, and Philippine Sea plates.
Do not collect rocks or geological samples from the local riverbeds, as the area is protected as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday) and during the year-end/New Year period.
