Nima Sand Museum
Discover the Nima Sand Museum, home to the world's largest hourglass and captivating sand art. A unique stop in Shimane.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful viewing
Nima Sand Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more peaceful viewing
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover the Nima Sand Museum, home to the world's largest hourglass and captivating sand art. A unique stop in Shimane.
"A unique and rewarding experience with the world's largest hourglass and aesthetic art installations."
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking can be hard to find. Plan your route or consider walking from Nima Station.
💰 Foreigner Discount
International visitors can get a 50% discount with a passport/residence card.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
3.9 · 1,067 reviews
Type
Museum
Website
sandmuseum.jpHighlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
World's Largest Hourglass
Main Hall
Witness the colossal 'year glass,' a 5.2-meter tall hourglass flipped only once annually. A truly unique spectacle!
Artistic Hourglass Displays
Exhibition Halls
Explore a diverse collection of aesthetically pleasing hourglasses, showcasing both science and art. Some even have interactive elements!
Sand Craft Workshops
Workshop Area
Engage your creative side with hands-on sand and glass craft activities. A fun experience for all ages.
Plans like a pro.
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Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit
Navigating to the Museum
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking can be hard to find. Plan your route or consider walking from Nima Station.
💰 Foreigner Discount
International visitors can get a 50% discount with a passport/residence card.
🎨 Decorate a Postcard
Enjoy decorating a postcard with colored sand – a highlight for many visitors!
🗺️ Manhole Card Hunt
Collect a unique manhole card at the nearby Road Station.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking can be hard to find. Plan your route or consider walking from Nima Station.
💰 Foreigner Discount
International visitors can get a 50% discount with a passport/residence card.
🎨 Decorate a Postcard
Enjoy decorating a postcard with colored sand – a highlight for many visitors!
🗺️ Manhole Card Hunt
Collect a unique manhole card at the nearby Road Station.
🗣️ Language Barrier
Descriptions are mainly in Japanese; consider a translation app.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Nima Sand Museum a unique stop, particularly for its world's largest hourglass and artistic displays. While some note it's a smaller museum and wish for more English descriptions, the foreigner discount and hands-on sand craft activities make it a rewarding experience for many. It's considered a worthwhile detour for those exploring Shimane.
"The parking lot is difficult to find and is not close to the building.
The museum itself was small and didn’t have much to see, so I think the cost was not worth it.
They also gave us a postcard to decorate with colored sand. I think was the best part.
They also do crafts on select days that you can pay to do.
You can also get the manhole card to collect at the Road Station close by!"
Melody Momper
"It was a very unique and rewarding experience. The place has the largest hourglass in the world or, shall I say, year glass, as it is flipped once a year only. There some very aesthetic art installations as well.
I deducted one star as:
- the place could be refreshed
- the place could be expanded
- more descriptions in English would help international visitors"
Maciej Kolodziejczyk
"It is a museum that presents the topic of sand in science and art. And works of art were exhibited inside too.
There are workshops that you can try various handicrafts which related to sand and glass. I think both adults and children can enjoy here.
This place is one of the places you should visit when you visit Shimane."
Alis C.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The museum is about a 10-15 minute walk from Nima Station. If driving, parking can be challenging to locate. +1
Yes, it's easily accessible via local trains to Nima Station. The walk from the station is straightforward.
You can take a local train from Izumoshi Station to Nima Station, which takes a little less than an hour.
Yes, the Road Station nearby is great for collecting manhole cards and offers a nice park.
Reviews suggest that parking can be difficult to find and is not always close to the museum building.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The admission fee is ¥730. International visitors can receive a 50% discount by showing a valid passport or residence card.
Yes, foreigners can get a 50% discount upon presentation of a valid passport or residence card.
The museum is typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It's always a good idea to check their official website for the most current hours.
Information on advance ticket purchases is limited, but tickets are generally available for purchase at the museum.
Yes, the museum offers sand craft workshops and engaging exhibits that can be enjoyed by both adults and children.
🎫 ✨ Onsite Experience
The museum's centerpiece is the world's largest hourglass, a massive structure that measures an entire year.
You'll find a variety of sand art installations and artistic displays featuring hourglasses of different sizes and designs. +1
Yes, visitors can participate in sand craft workshops and decorate postcards with colored sand, which many find to be a highlight. +1
Unfortunately, most descriptions are in Japanese, which might be a challenge for international visitors. +1
Most visitors find that an hour is sufficient to explore the museum and enjoy the exhibits.
🍽️ 🍦 Food & Dining
While the museum itself may not have extensive dining facilities, there are often ice cream and souvenir shops.
You can find local eateries and convenience stores, like Lawson, in the town of Nima.
It's best to check the museum's policy on outside food, but typically, eating is restricted to designated areas.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally permitted inside the museum, but it's always good to check for any specific restrictions on certain exhibits.
The world's largest hourglass and the colorful, artistic hourglass displays offer great photo opportunities.
The town of Nima offers unique manhole covers, and collecting a manhole card can be a fun photo souvenir.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit