Special Exhibitions and Educational Events
The museum holds approximately three special exhibitions each year, covering a variety of subjects connected with regional culture, history, and nature. It also organizes activities such as historical workshops, nature observation programs, and hands-on indoor sessions. These events provide opportunities for visitors to learn through direct experience as well as through the displays.
Explore the Museum Floor by Floor
First Floor: Special Exhibition Gallery
The first floor houses the special exhibition gallery, where temporary exhibitions and related events are held. Topics vary, offering fresh perspectives on Tokushima’s cultural heritage, historical events, and natural environment.
Second Floor: Permanent Exhibition Gallery
The main permanent exhibition is titled “Tokushima in Full: Stories of Life and Time.” It brings together the region’s natural history, archaeological discoveries, historical documents, traditional culture, and everyday life. The displays are arranged into several sections that help visitors understand Tokushima from different perspectives.
Tokushima Section: This section explores the region’s development through exhibits on dinosaur fossils, geology, prehistoric and ancient societies, medieval political history, the Edo period, and modern times. Visitors can learn about subjects ranging from bronze bells and the powerful medieval figure Miyoshi Nagayoshi to Tokushima’s traditional indigo-dyeing industry and the devastation of the Tokushima air raids during World War II.
Tokushima Dinosaur Collection: Discover fossil evidence of prehistoric life found in Tokushima, including material from the region’s Cretaceous geological formations.
Geological History of Tokushima: Fossils and geological specimens reveal how the landscape developed over immense spans of time. The displays also introduce the geological processes that shaped Shikoku.
Prehistoric and Ancient Tokushima: Archaeological objects such as bronze bells and haniwa clay figures illustrate life and cultural practices from early human settlement through the ancient period.
Medieval Tokushima: Stone monuments and historical materials related to figures such as Miyoshi Nagayoshi provide insights into the political and social changes of medieval Japan.
Early Modern and Modern Tokushima: Exhibits introduce the region’s industries, traditional crafts, and changing lifestyles, including the history of indigo dyeing and events from the Meiji era through the 20th century.
Festivals and Performing Arts: Learn about Tokushima’s traditional celebrations and performing arts, including Awa Ningyō Jōruri, a distinctive form of Japanese puppet theater.
Nature and Daily Life: Discover how the natural environment, including the Yoshino River, has influenced the livelihoods and culture of local communities.
The second floor also includes a collection section, where exhibits are changed periodically, and a global geology section featuring materials that place Tokushima’s natural history in a broader, worldwide context.
Third Floor: Learning and Workshop Facilities
The third floor contains lecture rooms, practical training rooms, and administrative offices. Workshops and educational programs are held in these spaces, allowing visitors to explore selected subjects in greater depth.
Outdoor Area: Denshō no Mori
Outside the museum, Denshō no Mori, or the Forest of Traditions, offers an opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings while learning about local culture and legends. The outdoor area complements the indoor exhibitions by connecting regional traditions with the landscape in which they developed.
A Museum with a Long History
The museum traces its origins to Tokushima Prefectural Museum, which opened in 1959. The original institution stood at the site now occupied by Awa Odori Kaikan in central Tokushima. In 1990, the museum moved to its current location in Bunka no Mori Park and reopened as Tokushima Prefectural Museum on November 3 of that year.
In 2021, a major renewal of the exhibitions was completed as part of the museum’s 30th-anniversary commemorations. The updated displays incorporated modern technology and expanded opportunities for visitors to explore the collections in more engaging ways.
The Communication Zone
The communication zone is designed to encourage interaction between visitors and museum staff. It includes displays introducing the museum’s curators, access to digital archives, and a large-screen presentation space called the Yusan Theater.
High-resolution videos showcase Tokushima’s natural environment and cultural heritage, offering an engaging introduction to the region before or after exploring the permanent galleries. The zone also provides a place to exchange ideas and discover additional information about the museum’s collections.
Highlights of the Collections
Tokushima’s Dinosaur Fossils
The Katsuuragawa Basin in Tokushima contains geological formations dating from approximately 130 million to 100 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous Period. Fossils of a variety of plants and animals have been discovered in these layers, including the first dinosaur fossils identified in Shikoku.
The museum displays important fossil material from this region, helping visitors understand the ancient environments that existed long before humans appeared. These discoveries also highlight Tokushima’s significance as a location for paleontological research.
Geological History and the Naumann Elephant
The geological history displays include a skeletal specimen of a Naumann elephant, an extinct elephant species that once inhabited Japan, as well as a replica of the fossil ripple marks at Shishikui, a natural monument designated at the national level.
Shikoku contains bands of rocks and geological formations created during different periods of Earth’s history. The exhibits explain how these layers formed and how geological processes shaped the mountains, rivers, and coastline visible in the region today.
Prehistoric and Ancient Life
The archaeological displays cover a long period, from approximately 20,000 years ago through the 11th century. Bronze bells, haniwa figures, and other artifacts reveal aspects of the beliefs, technology, and daily lives of the people who inhabited Tokushima in prehistoric and ancient times.
A particularly engaging feature is a virtual-reality experience that allows visitors to explore the stone chamber of an ancient burial mound. This technology offers a sense of entering a historic tomb without disturbing the original archaeological site.
Medieval Society and Interactive Experiences
Exhibits on medieval Tokushima include stone monuments and materials associated with Miyoshi Nagayoshi, a major political figure of the 16th century. These displays help explain the changing power structures and social conditions of the period.
Interactive virtual-reality programs also offer experiences inspired by local life and the natural environment, including simulated dinosaur fossil excavation and ayu fishing. These activities provide an accessible way for visitors of different ages to engage with the region’s history and nature.
Indigo Dyeing and Modern Tokushima
The exhibits on the early modern period focus largely on the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo periods, while the modern section covers developments from the Meiji era through the Shōwa era. Displays on indigo dyeing and regional specialties illustrate the industries that helped shape Tokushima’s economy and identity.
By connecting traditional production methods with historical documents and everyday objects, the museum shows how local industries influenced people’s lives and how the region changed over time.
A Rewarding Cultural Stop in Tokushima
Tokushima Prefectural Museum offers a comprehensive introduction to the region’s natural environment, archaeological discoveries, historical events, and living traditions. From dinosaur fossils and ancient burial customs to indigo dyeing and Awa puppet theater, its collections reveal the many layers of Tokushima’s identity.
Whether you are interested in geology, archaeology, traditional culture, or local history, the museum provides an informative and engaging way to deepen your understanding of Tokushima. Combine a visit with the other cultural facilities and outdoor spaces in Bunka no Mori Park to make the most of your time exploring the region.