From a Remarkable Discovery to a Museum
The 1948 Discovery of a Naumann Elephant Molar
The story of the museum began in 1948, when a local innkeeper discovered a molar believed to belong to a Naumann elephant. The unusual fossil became known locally as the “hot-water-bottle fossil” because of its distinctive shape.
This discovery led to growing interest in the prehistoric remains around Lake Nojiri. Archaeological and paleontological investigations continued, and in 1962, systematic excavations began with the participation of members of the general public.
The museum opened in 1984 to present the results of these investigations. In 1996, it adopted its current name, the Lake Nojiri Naumann Elephant Museum.
Excavations around Lake Nojiri
Excavations around Lake Nojiri have uncovered numerous fossils as well as archaeological remains dating to the Paleolithic period. The discoveries provide clues about the animals, plants, climate, and landscape of prehistoric Japan.
The museum presents these discoveries in a way that allows visitors to understand not only individual fossils but also the larger ecosystem in which humans and large mammals once lived.
Permanent Exhibitions
Fossils and Finds from Lake Nojiri
The permanent exhibition room on the museum’s second floor displays a wide range of excavation finds from around Lake Nojiri. Numerous fossils and artifacts related to the Naumann elephant introduce visitors to a world that existed thousands of years before modern Japan.
Displays explain the characteristics of prehistoric animals and plants as well as the environment in which they lived, making the museum an engaging destination for visitors interested in natural history, archaeology, and the origins of human life in Japan.
The “Moon and Stars” Symbol
The museum’s distinctive symbol combines a Naumann elephant tusk with the palm-shaped antler of a Yabe’s giant deer. Together, these two forms are known as “Moon and Stars.”
The fossils that inspired this symbol were discovered during the fifth excavation at the Tachigahana archaeological site in 1973. Their discovery became one of the memorable achievements of the Lake Nojiri excavation project.
The Naumann Elephant
An Elephant Unique to Prehistoric Japan
The Naumann elephant (Palaeoloxodon naumanni) lived in the Japanese archipelago from approximately 330,000 years ago. It is believed to have become extinct sometime between approximately 24,000 and 15,000 years ago.
The species is closely related to elephants found elsewhere in Asia, but it developed distinctive characteristics after living in the Japanese archipelago. Its fossils provide valuable evidence for understanding the natural environment and ecosystems of prehistoric Japan.
Size and Physical Characteristics
Adult Naumann elephants are estimated to have stood approximately 2.4 to 3 meters at the shoulder, measured around 5 to 6 meters in body length, and weighed approximately 5 tons.
The tusks of males could reach approximately 240 centimeters in length and 15 centimeters in diameter. Females also had tusks, although they were generally smaller than those of males.
Life in a Changing Climate
Naumann elephants are thought to have inhabited temperate to cool forest environments, where deciduous broadleaf trees and conifers grew together. They were also capable of surviving colder periods, with body hair and a substantial layer of subcutaneous fat helping them withstand harsh climatic conditions.
The fossils found around Lake Nojiri therefore provide more than a record of an extinct animal. They also help scientists reconstruct the climate and ecosystems of Ice Age Japan.
Naumann Elephants and Prehistoric Humans
Naumann elephant fossils have been discovered in many parts of Japan, with particularly important discoveries made around the Lake Nojiri archaeological sites.
Some of the archaeological evidence suggests that Paleolithic people hunted large animals such as Naumann elephants. Fossils and stone tools found together provide important clues about how prehistoric humans interacted with the large mammals of the Japanese archipelago.
The Mystery of the Megafauna Extinction
Naumann elephants disappeared from Japan between approximately 24,000 and 15,000 years ago. Researchers have considered several possible factors behind their extinction, including major changes in climate and increasing hunting pressure from humans.
The exact causes remain a subject of scientific study. Today, the fossils preserved around Lake Nojiri continue to provide researchers with valuable evidence for investigating the relationship between environmental change, humans, and prehistoric megafauna.
A Window into Ice Age Japan
One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum is the way it connects fossils with the landscape of Lake Nojiri. Rather than viewing prehistoric animals as isolated specimens, visitors can explore the broader environment in which they lived and the people who shared that landscape with them.
The discoveries reveal a time when large mammals roamed the forests of the Japanese archipelago and human communities hunted, gathered, and adapted to changing conditions.
Visiting the Lake Nojiri Naumann Elephant Museum
Opening Hours and Seasonal Schedule
The museum is generally open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During winter, opening hours are shortened to 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
It is closed on the final day of the month in May, June, September, October, and November, as well as during the New Year holiday period.
Access
The museum is approximately 5 minutes by car from the Shinano-machi Interchange on the Joshinetsu Expressway, making it convenient for visitors traveling by car.
By public transportation, take a taxi from Kurohime Station on the Shinano Railway. Seasonal bus services may also be available.
Discover the Ancient World of Lake Nojiri
The Lake Nojiri Naumann Elephant Museum offers a fascinating journey into the prehistoric past of Japan. Its fossils, archaeological discoveries, and reconstructed information allow visitors to imagine a time when Naumann elephants and other giant animals inhabited the landscape around Lake Nojiri.
The museum also reveals the connection between these animals and the Paleolithic people who lived in the region, providing a glimpse into how humans survived and adapted to the changing environment of Ice Age Japan.
A Fascinating Stop for Nature and History Lovers
For travelers exploring Shinano Town, the museum is an excellent complement to the natural scenery of Lake Nojiri and the surrounding mountains. It offers a different perspective on the region—one that reaches far beyond its modern landscapes and into a prehistoric world tens of thousands of years old.
See the fossils, discover the story of the Naumann elephant, and explore the evidence left behind by prehistoric humans. A visit to this museum provides an unforgettable encounter with the deep natural and archaeological history of northern Nagano.