We regret to inform that National Museum of Nature and Science will be closed from February 29 (Sat) to March 16 (Mon) to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Please check our website for further updates.

This exhibition features picture books beloved by people from all generations and countries. Many of them are about nature and science. Using these picture books, we wish to provide opportunities for you to enjoy the museum in a new way, and to develop your interest in the natural sciences.

The theme of this exhibition is the evolution of life as it has been unfolding across the globe. From the very first life forms, which appeared some 3.8 billion years ago, to today, evolution has continued without end, leading to the existence of humans and many other life forms on Earth today. Would you like to come with us and take a journey along the path of evolution, all the way from our most remote ancestors

Exhibition

Title Take a Journey with Picture Books through the History of Life
Period December 17, 2019 – February 28, 2020
Hours 9:00-17:00
*9:00-20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays
*Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
*Opening days, hours etc. are subject to alteration. Please check the website before your visit.
Closed Mondays (Except February 17), December 28 – January 1
Organizers National Museum of Nature and Science

Access

National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo
Address 7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8718
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What to See

A new picture book experience at the museum!

The exhibit features specimens such as fossils and animals that are linked through scenes selected from seven picture books. The world of picture books unfolds in the galleries as you follow along and enjoy the specimens as well as the history of the evolution of life.

Experience evolution from fish to humans!

This exhibit highlights the main events in the 500-million-year evolution of life from fish to humans, explaining the story in ways that are easy to understand. Feel evolution within your body, and your connection to our remote ancestors.

Learn more!

We also have a section that presents surveys and research conducted by the museum, as well as related Permanent Exhibitions. If you want to learn more or expand your knowledge, go beyond the Special Exhibition and step into our Permanent Exhibitions.

Encounter picture books!

We have a reading section with more than a hundred picture books related to evolution and the natural sciences. You might rediscover an old favorite, or find a new favorite. The books in the section are in a variety of languages.

Illustration

  • LIFE STORY by Virginia Lee Burton. Copyright © 1962 by Virginia Lee Demetrios, renewed 1990 by Aristides Burton Demetrios and Michael Burton Demetrios.
  • Illustrations © Kazuo Kawakami
  • GRANDMOTHER FISH: A CHILD’S FIRST BOOK OF EVOLUTION by Jonathan Tweet, illustrated by Karen Lewis、Copyright © 2015 by Grandmother Fish, LLC d/b/a Jonathan Tweet Studios
  • Illustration © Eitaro Ohshima
  • CHARLES DARWIN’S ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECEIS, Retold and Illustrated by Sabina Radeva、Copyright © 2019 by Sabina Radeva
  • Illustration © Tatsuhide Matsuoka
  • Illustration © ROBOT