Mikasa City Museum, widely known as the “Museum of Ammonites,” is one of Japan’s most important paleontology museums. It is located in Mikasa City, a former coal-mining powerhouse that played a vital role in the industrial development of Hokkaido.

The museum’s core attraction is the Ammonite Exhibition Hall, showcasing more than 600 ammonite fossils from Hokkaido’s Cretaceous strata, dating back approximately 100 million years. Displays range from small specimens to massive ammonites exceeding one meter in diameter. Rare heteromorph ammonites, such as Nipponites, stand out for their unusual rope-like, tangled forms. Uniquely, selected fossils are accessible for hands-on interaction, allowing visitors to physically touch genuine prehistoric remains.

Another major highlight is the fossilized skull of Yezo-Mikasa-ryu (Taniwhasaurus mikasaensis), a marine reptile belonging to the mosasaur family. Discovered in Mikasa in 1976, this specimen holds exceptional scientific value as the first mosasaur fossil in Japan to be designated a National Natural Monument, reflecting its importance at the national level.

The coal mining history section traces Mikasa’s transformation into an industrial city, featuring exhibits on the Sorachi Prison labor system, miners’ daily lives, and mining technology from the 19th to 20th centuries.

Outside the main building, the Open-Air Museum offers a 1.2-kilometer walking trail through exposed geological layers formed over 100 million years ago. Visitors can observe vertical coal seams, mine ventilation shafts, and the remnants of the former Ikushunbetsu Coal Mine, all set within a natural landscape.

• By Car: Approximately 1 hour from Sapporo (most convenient option).
• By Train & Bus:
  Mikasa City does not have a JR station.
  Take the JR train from Sapporo to JR Iwamizawa Station (岩見沢駅), then transfer to a Chuo Bus on the Mikasa Line and get off at the final stop, “Ikushunbetsu Kasuga-cho.”
• By Taxi: Available from Iwamizawa Station or within Mikasa City; recommended for groups or families.

• Allocate at least 2–3 hours to fully explore the indoor exhibits and the outdoor trail.

• The Open-Air Museum walk takes approximately 40–60 minutes.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes, especially for uneven terrain and slopes outdoors.

• Pokémon fans should look for the Pokéfuta manhole covers featuring Omanyte and Aerodactyl near the entrance.

• Winter Note: The Open-Air Museum may be closed during heavy snowfall, typically from December to March.

Admission Fee:

• Adults: 450 yen

• Elementary & junior high school students: 150 yen

• Group discounts available (fees subject to change)

Opening Time:

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)

• Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday) and during the New Year holiday period (December 29 – January 3)