Precautions for Visitors
We accept only visitors with advanced bookings to avoid closed places, crowds and close-contact settings in the museum.
Exhibition
| Title | Special Exhibition Metasequoia: A Living Fossil |
|---|---|
| Period | January 26, 2021 – April 4, 2021 |
| Hours | 9:00-17:00 *Opening days, hours etc. are subject to alteration. Please check the website before your visit. |
| Closed | Mondays (Except March 29) |
| Organizers | National Museum of Nature and Science |
| Cooperation | Akishimaensis, Japan Greenery Research and Development Center, Osaka Museum of Natural History, Botanical Gardens, Osaka City University, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, The Imperial Household Agency, Lake Biwa Museum, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Botanical Gardens, Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo, Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Fukushima Museum |
Access
| National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo | |
|---|---|
| Address | 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8718 |
What to see
What is Metasequoia?
The metasequoia is a deciduous conifer of the cypress family, commonly called the dawn redwood. All species of this genus, including both modern and fossil species, are referred to as metasequoia in this exhibition.
The Discovery of Metasequoia
Fossils of the metasequoia were discovered in 1941, and the living species was found five years later. This section also describes the interactions between researchers at the time, which were difficult.
The Age of Metasequoia: A few Million Years Ago in Japan
Metasequoia fossil forests have been found all over Japan. Here we introduce the flora and fauna from the fossil forests of western Tokyo and around Lake Biwa.
Why did Metasequoia Disappear from Japan?
Metasequoias covered a wide area of the northern hemisphere for a long period of time, from the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic era. The shrinkage in distribution is thought to be due to changes in climate and topography during the Cenozoic era.
The Metasequoia, from here on out
How did the metasequoia that we see today come to Japan? Here we look at conservation activities for the metasequoia and ways the metasequoia can be used.
What can we Learn from Metasequoia?
The metasequoia is a living fossil, a tree that has survived for a very long time. What can we learn from that history?