Nima Sand Museum

Published on : 15/12/2007
by : Japan Experience

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Nima Sand Museum opened in 1991. It has a handful of sand exhibits but the exterior architecture may be more interesting than what is inside.

Nima Sand Museum, Nima, Shimane Prefecture 仁摩サンドミュージアム

Exhibits | Access

Nima Sand Museum, Nima, Shimane

How long does it take for 1 ton of sand to fall through an aperture 0.85 mm wide?

Exactly one year!

At least according to what is believed to be the largest hourglass-sand timer in the world, located in the Nima Sand Museum in Nima, Shimane.

Every December 31st at midnight the huge timer, measuring 5 meters in height with a diameter of 1 meter, is ceremonially turned over to begin marking time for the next year.

Nima Sand Museum The large pyramid housing the sand timer at the museum

Exhibits

Opened in 1991, the Sand Museum was built because the local mayor thought that the sand at a nearby beach, Kotogahama, which squeaked and "sang" when walked on, was worthy of being a tourist attraction. Other than the giant sand timer, the museum has a handful of artworks that utilize sand, but like many attractions in Japan, the architecture is far more interesting that what is housed inside.

Nima Sand Museum

The Sand Museum is built into the side of the hill, and is topped by 6 glass and steel pyramids, the largest of which houses the Sand timer.

The Sand Museum was never a great draw, and so a large amusement and play area for kids was built behind it, but nowadays it has become more popular since the museum was featured in a hit TV drama, Sunadokei.