The Agricultural Museum, The University of Tokyo – A small museum preserving the history of Japanese agricultural science –

About the Museum

What Is the Agricultural Museum, The University of Tokyo?

The Agricultural Museum, The University of Tokyo is a museum that showcases valuable academic materials preserved by the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo.

Located beside the main gate of the Faculty of Agriculture on the Yayoi Campus, the museum is housed in a charming red-brick building surrounded by greenery. Inside, visitors are welcomed into a bright interior accented with warm wood tones, creating a relaxed atmosphere for exploring the exhibits.

Although the museum consists of a single exhibition floor, it displays a remarkable collection of materials related to the history of agriculture and veterinary science. Highlights include exhibits about the faithful dog Hachiko and a replica of Kokugyū Jūzu (“Ten Illustrations of Japanese Cattle”), one of Japan’s oldest illustrated works on cattle, originally created in the late Kamakura period.

Wooden benches placed at the center of the gallery invite visitors to pause, reflect, and enjoy the exhibits at a leisurely pace.

Visitor Information

The museum consists of a compact, single-floor exhibition space.

The gallery features valuable materials related to agriculture, veterinary medicine, and the natural sciences. Highlights include a replica of Kokugyū Jūzu (“Ten Illustrations of Japanese Cattle”), one of Japan’s oldest illustrated works on cattle, exhibits about the faithful dog Hachiko, and a massive cross-section of a Yakushima cedar tree.

Among the museum’s most notable exhibits is the preserved organ specimen of Hachiko. Displayed alongside materials documenting his life, it provides visitors with a rare opportunity to learn about Japan’s most famous loyal dog from both a historical and scientific perspective.

Nearby Information

The Agricultural Museum, The University of Tokyo is located on the University of Tokyo’s Yayoi Campus, just a short walk from the University Museum, The University of Tokyo (UMUT) on the neighboring Hongo Campus.

After exploring the University Museum’s extensive collections spanning a wide range of academic disciplines, visitors can enjoy a quieter experience at the Agricultural Museum, where exhibitions highlight the history of agriculture, veterinary medicine, and the natural sciences. Together, the two museums offer a broader perspective on the University of Tokyo’s long tradition of research and scholarship.

The surrounding neighborhood is also home to numerous secondhand bookstores, creating the distinctive atmosphere of a historic university district. After visiting both museums, take some time to wander through the bookshops and enjoy one of Tokyo’s most intellectual neighborhoods.

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