Overview
Kunitachi City may be a university town and known for its appreciation of nature but the city is also home to some decent museums and art galleries. The history of the local area is well covered here while some great scientific, commercial and artistic quality is also on show. Here is a simple introduction to the museums and galleries of Kunitachi City and how to reach them.
Kunitachi Local History Museum
Plenty of interactive opportunities as well as the free admission make a visit to the Kunitachi Local History Museum a good one. A well designed layout sees some quite decent exhibits organised into various section, including a nature zone and a feudal period zone. A number of items, including huge stone spindle rods, have been designated as Important Cultural Properties.
A 9-minute walk from Yagawa Station on the JR Nambu Line.
Shirota Memorial Museum
Organised into six zones, the Shirota Memorial Museum is dedicated to microbiologist, the late Minoru Shirota. Famous for discovering a bacteria that helped stomach health, Shirota also established the famous Yakut company. The museum looks at the life of the man and his discoveries, and includes some personal artefacts from his life and career.
A 15-minute walk from either Kagawa or Yaho stations on the JR Nambu Line.
U-Forum Museum
The U-Forum Museum is an exhibition-based art gallery that focuses on human creations animated with a sense of tradition. Regular exhibitions showcase some extraordinarily innovative works and the gallery's online CyberMuseum, allows visitors the chance to view these creations in a new setting.
A 15-minute walk from Kunitachi Station on the JR Chuo Line.
Tamashin Museum of History and Art
Established in 1987, the Tamashin Museum of History and Art displays works of art related to the Tama area. Not only is art a feature but so too is history with many exhibits and artefacts connected to the area. Exhibitions are regularly held and with an admission fee of only JPY100, entry is a proper steal.
Direct access from the South Exit of Kunitachi Station on the JR Chuo Line.
