Otani Museum
The Otani Museum is a relic of an underground quarry located in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, which was once the largest Otani stone production base in Japan. Otani stone is an igneous rock formed by solidified volcanic ash. It has the characteristics of fire resistance, water absorption, and easy processing. It is widely used in fields such as construction and sculpture. The Otani Museum displays the mining history, culture and art of Otani stone, and allows visitors to experience the mysterious charm of underground space.
The entrance to the Otani Museum is a building rebuilt from Otani stone, which houses a ticket office, souvenir shop, cafe and information storage room. The information storage room houses various exhibits related to Oya Stone, such as mining tools, photos, models, etc., which allow visitors to understand the geology, characteristics and uses of Oya Stone. Walk down the stairs from the entrance to enter the remains of an underground quarry.
The remains of the underground quarry are the main attraction of the Otani Museum. It covers an area of about 20,000 square meters and is about 30 meters deep. It is a huge underground space. Here, you can appreciate the natural beauty of Otani stone and the art of artificial carving, and feel the tranquility and coolness of the underground. There are many holes of different shapes and sizes on the walls of the underground quarry, which are traces of the past mining of Otani stone. In some caves, there are also some installation art and lighting effects to create a dreamy atmosphere.
The Otani Museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00 from April to November, and from 9:30 to 16:30 from December to March. It is closed on Tuesdays. The ticket price is 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children.
To get to the Otani Museum, take the Kanto Bus Tateiwa Line from Utsunomiya Station and arrive at the Museum entrance bus stop in about 30 minutes. It is then a 3-minute walk to the Otani Museum. You can purchase a one-day ticket for Otani sightseeing, which includes unlimited bus rides and tickets to the Otani Museum and Otani Temple. The cost is 2,000 yen for adults, 1,400 yen for junior high school students, and 700 yen for elementary school students.
The Otani Museum is a place worth visiting, where you can not only learn about Otani stone, but also enjoy the charm of the underground space. If you have the opportunity to come to Tochigi Prefecture, you might as well arrange a visit to the Otani Museum. I believe you will have an unforgettable experience.
📍909 Oyamachi, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-0345 Japan
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