Introducing the ‘Traveling Seeds’ Special Exhibition at Kumamoto Museum

Hello there! This is Mido, a writer for [SaruKuma].

Today I’d like to introduce you to the ‘Traveling Seeds’ special exhibition currently being held at Kumamoto Museum!

Flying, drifting, bursting, sticking…
Discover the wonderfully diverse world of traveling seeds!

First, let me share the admission and visitor info!
◆Admission: Adults 800 yen, Seniors (65+) 700 yen, High school & university students 600 yen, Elementary & junior high students 500 yen
(Includes admission to the permanent exhibition)
◆Exhibition period: Until Sunday, September 1
◆Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
◆Closed: Mondays (the following day if Monday is a public holiday); open on Tuesday, August 13

Kumamoto Museum doesn’t have its own dedicated parking lot, but there’s a paid Sannomaru Parking Lot just across the street.

You can also reach the museum easily by public transport!
From the Kumamoto City Tram, get off at “Sugitomo” station and walk for about 5 minutes.
If taking a bus, get off at “Sakuramachi Bus Terminal” or “Shiyakushomae” — the museum is about a 15-minute walk from either stop.
If you’re using the Kumamoto Castle Loop Bus (Shiromegurin), the “Museum / Former Hosokawa Gyobu Residence” stop is right in front of the museum, so you’ll arrive instantly!

Why You Should Visit the ‘Traveling Seeds’ Special Exhibition

To pass on life to the next generation, seeds embark on all kinds of fascinating “journeys.”
This exhibition lets you explore that incredible world — and it’s surprisingly fun!

There’s a quiz rally to enjoy, microscopes for observing seeds up close, and even hands-on play areas with seeds…
It’s a wonderful exhibition that delights both adults and children!! Off we go to the special exhibition! Quiz rally sheets and exploration maps were ready for visitors at the entrance!
The exploration map shows where each type of seed is displayed!
Inside the venue, you’ll find seeds of all kinds. The world’s largest seed, the “Coco de Mer” (Double Coconut), is especially eye-catching!Try lifting the Coco de Mer and feel its weight for yourself!Who knew seeds came in so many shapes? Tons of fascinating designs await! ♪

Children search around the venue, hunting for the answers to the quiz rally!
Seeds travel in incredibly creative ways! Some hitch a ride on animals……and amazingly, this one is dispersed by forest fires!There are even fossilized seeds on display!
And of course, the everyday seeds we encounter at the dinner table.
The sphere above contains fluffy seed cotton — so beautiful! ♪So many varieties of acorns!

My son has been obsessed with stag beetles and rhinoceros beetles this year, so he was thrilled to spot a name he recognized: “Konara oak!”

Can you make the Dipterocarp model spin?! A microscope corner where you can examine seeds up close! Looking at seeds through a microscope reveals incredible details — kids can’t stop peering through! A burdock-seed (cocklebur) dart corner — with three different targets to aim for! ♪
A 3D puzzle of the cannonball mangrove and a seed kaleidoscope.
“Are those really seeds inside?” The patterns are stunning!“I solved the puzzle!” — peace sign! ♪

Outside the exhibition room, there’s a sketching corner!
Dedicated paper is provided, so be sure to join the “Traveling Seeds Sketch Contest” while you’re there!
Coloring pages were also available! ♪

The special exhibition page on the Kumamoto Museum website also offers downloadable self-study sheets.
Be sure to check them out before your visit! ♪

Don’t Miss the Permanent Exhibition and Planetarium at Kumamoto Museum

Your special exhibition ticket also includes admission to the permanent exhibition.
We didn’t have time to fully explore the permanent gallery this visit, but the kids each gravitated to whatever interested them most and had a blast! ♪
Right at the entrance of the permanent exhibition — the lighting display is gorgeous!
Make sure to peek inside when you visit! ♪

My son was completely captivated by the stag beetle and rhinoceros beetle specimens!
Each one is labeled with where it was collected, so we examined them carefully together.

The planetarium is also highly recommended! (Separate admission required.)
Current shows include “Planetarium Doraemon: Model of the Universe,” “Night on the Galactic Railroad,” and “Ursa Minor and the 12 Constellations.”
The show schedule varies by time slot, so be sure to check the weekly schedule on the Kumamoto Museum website.

We watched the Doraemon planetarium show!
Before the Doraemon program begins, you’ll get a guided tour of that night’s Kumamoto sky.
The kids learned about the Summer Triangle and the Scorpius constellation, and now they love gazing at the summer night sky.
The Doraemon program was wonderful too! ♪

‘Traveling Seeds’ runs only until September 1!
The “Seed Character General Election 2024” is also happening now!
Come immerse yourself in the fascinating world of seeds! ♪

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