Japan's amber deposits are the third largest in the world, after the Baltic and the Dominican Republic. Organized amber mining has been undertaken in Kuji since the Edo Period (1600-1867). Although amber can be extracted from the ground through mines and quarries, it is sometimes possible to find it simply lying on the surface. Amber has been used in many ways throughout the ages, notably as jewelry or in medicine. Learn more about amber in the informative Kuji Amber Museum.
- 1 min read
Kuji Amber Museum
Discover the story of amber from prehistory to present
![Sarashanti Sarashanti](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1094/240x240!/61225721bfe20933870451bb.jpg)
By Sarashanti
Community writer
![See fossilized ants and other insects under the microscope!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33945/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33945.jpg)
See fossilized ants and other insects under the microscope!
![There are two main exhibition halls in Kuji Amber Museum. This photograph shows an outside view of the second exhibition hall.](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33935/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33935.jpg)
There are two main exhibition halls in Kuji Amber Museum. This photograph shows an outside view of the second exhibition hall.
![Gate to the dark and slippery old tunnel where people dug out amber from its source in times past. Watch out!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33936/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33936.jpg)
Gate to the dark and slippery old tunnel where people dug out amber from its source in times past. Watch out!
![The shrine gate in front of the old tunnel.](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33937/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33937.jpg)
The shrine gate in front of the old tunnel.
![Rear view of Kuji Amber Museum main building, located by a small stream and surrounded by forests.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33938/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33938.jpg)
Rear view of Kuji Amber Museum main building, located by a small stream and surrounded by forests.
![Entrance of the main exhibition hall of Kuji Amber Museum.](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33939/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33939.jpg)
Entrance of the main exhibition hall of Kuji Amber Museum.
![Amber wishing ink and pen. Here visitors can write down their wishes on paper using an amber pen with various kinds of ink. Each different colored ink corresponds with a different wish!](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33940/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33940.jpg)
Amber wishing ink and pen. Here visitors can write down their wishes on paper using an amber pen with various kinds of ink. Each different colored ink corresponds with a different wish!
![Insert your wishes here!](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33941/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33941.jpg)
Insert your wishes here!
![Diorama of the ‘second’ sun that fell to earth.](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33942/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33942.jpg)
Diorama of the ‘second’ sun that fell to earth.
![Amber mosaic of Buddha and attendants.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33943/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33943.jpg)
Amber mosaic of Buddha and attendants.
![Reconstruction of forests in the dinosaur age.](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33944/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33944.jpg)
Reconstruction of forests in the dinosaur age.
![Prepare your equipment here before entering the quarry!](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33948/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33948.jpg)
Prepare your equipment here before entering the quarry!
![Outdoor site where visitors can experience digging out amber from its source.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33947/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33947.jpg)
Outdoor site where visitors can experience digging out amber from its source.
![Amber raw material that still needs to be processed to make it look pretty.](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/5162-33946/1000/iwate-kuji-amber-museum0-33946.jpg)
Amber raw material that still needs to be processed to make it look pretty.
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