Meguro Parasitological Museum: Free Thing to Do in Tokyo!
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Have the most unique and creepy experience in Tokyo! Visit one and only Meguro Parasitological Museum in Tokyo and explore the world of parasites for free!!
Meguro Parasitological Museum (目黒寄生虫館) is a small medical museum devoted to parasites and the science of parasitology. Ths museum is was founded by Dr. Satoru Kamegai in 1953. It’s located in Meguro ward, Tokyo, and approx 10 mins away from Meguro Station. The admission to the museum is free, but donations are very welcome.
The museum consists of the 2 storied exhibition space on the 1&2F of the building. The research library contains 60,000 parasite specimens and 5,000 books on parasitology. Visitors can see over 300 preserved specimens of parasites on display.
As you enter the museum, there are many types of parasites, and the exhibition explains the diversity of parasites in the natural world and their life cycles. My honest opinion after being in the museum for 5 mins?? It was pretty gross, I’m not gonna lie!! But it’s actually very interesting to learn about a little bit about parasitology, and if you are into biology, I’d say you may have some fun at this museum.
The second floor gets even more scary as they show what parasites can do to humans.. There are some photo examples how people suffered from parasites in past, and how human body get affected.
One of the highlights of the Parasitological Museum is the display of an 8.8 metres (29 ft)-long tapeworm founded inside a patient after eating trout. Next to it, there is a white rope that is an actual length of the tapeworm, and you can kind of feel how horrendous that things like this can exist inside human body!!
On the second floor, there is also a museum shop where visitors can purchase special goods including museum guidebook, postcards, T-shirts and phone straps with actual parasites embedded in acrylic (Anisakis simplex, Nybelinia surmenicola or Oncomelania nosophora).
FYI, the museum might be a little bit gross if you don’t like grotesque things, so I don’t recommend to go there for anybody who has a phobia to this sort of things. Otherwise, Meguro Parasitological Museum is a very interesting place to be, even if you are not into parasites and the science of parasitology. Just avoid going to noodle restaurants after visiting the museum!
Meguro Parasitological Museum (目黒寄生虫館)
Access: 10 mins walk from Meguro Station
Hours: 10:00~17:00 (Closed on Monday and Tuesday)
Admission fee: FREE
Official website: https://www.kiseichu.org/e-top
Did you know there are a lot of attractions that you can enjoy FREE in Tokyo?? Here is my articles introducing best free spots in Tokyo 😉
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"The world is my oyster" A globetrotter 🌎 and hammock lover 🌞 who loves taking adventures to fuel wanderlust. Born and raised in Japan, I have spend almost a decade living and exploring countries across the world. Based on my travel experience, I'd love to share my knowledge and tips for travelling with my readers. I hope my stories help you plan your trip and have a great time in Japan 🌈
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