About
Nestled in the tranquil embrace of the Chichibu mountains, in a corner of Chichibu City, stands a small museum called the Chichibu Rare Stone Museum. This place is a true treasure trove of the earth’s works of art—miraculous stones created by nature.
Upon entering the museum, the first thing to catch your eye is the array of colorful minerals and fossils. Each stone holds its own unique patterns and brilliance, formed over countless years. Particularly striking are the rare ore samples collected locally in Chichibu. These stones are evidence of the region’s abundant mineral resources and are deeply connected with the local history and culture.
Chichibu has long thrived as a mining town, where many miners once toiled. That history can be felt through the old mining tools and photographs on display inside the museum. Additionally, the Chichibu area has a unique “Stone God Faith,” a tradition in which stones are believed to be inhabited by deities. This belief still lives on today in the region’s festivals and customs.
As you make your way through the museum, you will also find displays of fluorescent minerals that glow fantastically under light, as well as meteorite collections—gifts from outer space. These exhibits not only reveal earth’s mysteries but also evoke a sense of the vastness of the cosmos and the passage of time.
The Chichibu Rare Stone Museum is more than just a museum. It is a place that conveys the wonders and beauty of nature, as well as the history and culture of the region, to its visitors. The time spent here allows you to forget daily life and savor precious moments where you can feel the heartbeat of the earth and the breath of the universe.