Nishinomiya Shell Museum

Flow of the course

About this spot

This small museum run by the City of Nishinomiya displays about 50,000 shell specimens gathered from all over the world. The exhibition room, lined with colorful shells, is fun enough to make both adults and children lean in for a closer look, and it can even give kids ideas for their summer vacation research projects. There are also exhibits about the marine life of Osaka Bay, the site of tonight's fireworks, making it a great way to feel closer to the sea before watching the fireworks from the beach. The viewing time is compact, which is also part of its appeal — just the right size to be fully enjoyed before kids get bored. The museum tends to be relatively uncrowded during the daytime on the day of the fireworks display, so you can take your time with the exhibits.

Tips

About a 15-minute walk from Hanshin Nishinomiya Station, or about a 10-minute walk from Hanshin Imazu Station. Admission is 300 yen for adults; free for high school students and younger (please confirm). The museum is air-conditioned, so it also makes a good break during the hot part of a summer afternoon. From here, take the Hanshin Line toward Ashiya for your next move.

Best time to visit

About 1 hour 30 minutes. There's little crowding on both weekdays and weekends during summer vacation, so you can view at leisure

Access & map

4-13-4 Nishinomiyahama, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture 662-0934