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Nikko NP, Tochigi
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The history-room touchscreen includes the richly illustrated 1837 guidebook Nikkō Sanshi, with 378 entries. Ernest Satow later used it as a source for his first English-language guide to Nikkō, published in 1875.
Local historians and Chūgūshi residents helped create the museum’s “Regional Memory” exhibits. One featured French embassy officer Gallois, an avid insect collector whose find by Lake Chūzenji gave the Galois-mushi its name.
The 15-minute “Water Journey” sends projections across the walls and floor, tracing Oku-Nikkō’s water from Lake Yunoko toward Kegon Falls. The moving images make it feel as if the stream is flowing right beneath your feet.
The history gallery animates Senjogahara’s legend: the gods of Mt Nantai and Mt Akagi become a giant snake and centipede to fight over Lake Chūzenji. Nantai’s side wins when its archer shoots the centipede’s eye.
In the forest diorama, a whole day passes in about 20 minutes. Point a tablet at the miniature scene to reveal animal names, behavior and field signs—a little wildlife detective game powered by augmented reality.
The Four Seasons Hall’s screen is 20 m wide and 4 m high. Its 4K films of Oku-Nikkō’s changing seasons are available in English, Chinese, Korean and Thai, turning the landscape into a huge shared panorama.
A 360° station lets visitors look around sacred Mount Nantai from an aerial viewpoint. Camera and drone footage make an indoor flight over the mountain possible without stepping onto its slopes.
