Your adventure starts here !
Access map
Shirataki Geopark Visitor Center ( 1st floor )
The Shirataki Geopark Visitor Center exhibits various rocks formed by the earth , including obsidian which glistens in black and reddish brown colors . The Geo Theater presents the story of the birth of obsidian through dynamic images of the volcanic activity that occurred in Shirataki. Let’s explore the secrets of obsidian , such as “ what is it ? ” and “ why is it black ? ”
| Opening Hours | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Open | 【 May – October 】 ・No closed days 【 November – April 】 Closed ・Saturdays , Sundays , and National Holidays . ・December 31 through January 5 period . |
| Admission fee | Free |
| Contact | Shirataki Geopark Promotion Council TEL : +81-158-48-2020 E-mail : geo@engaru.jp |
Engaru Archaeological Center ( 2nd floor )
Obsidian is a natural glass created by volcanic eruptions . Ancient people found it could be used as a sharp blade just by splitting it . A large number of obsidian stone tools have been found in ruins in Shirataki dating back more than 20,000 years , when woolly mammoths lived in Hokkaido . Let’s learn about life in those days by looking at real stone tools left by people 20,000 years ago !
| Opening Hours | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
| Open | 【 May – October 】 ・No closed days 【 November – April 】 Closed ・Saturdays , Sundays , and National Holidays . ・December 31 through January 5 period . |
| Admission fee | ・Adults : 320 yen ( Groups of 10 or more : 260 yen ) ・High school students and below : 160 yen ( Groups of 10 or more : 130 yen ) ・Preschoolers : Free |
| Annual pass | ・Adults : 1,050 yen ・High school students and below : 530 yen ◎Valid for one year from the date of issue . ◎There is a charge for the hands – on learning room . |
| Contact | Shirataki Educational Center TEL : +81-158-48-2213 E-mail : s-kyoui@engaru.jp |
Virtual Museum
Want to visit the Engaru Archaeological Center from the comfort of your home ? As long as you have an internet connection , you can view our 3D images anytime from your computer or smartphone . After enjoying the 3D images at home , come and see the real stone tools left behind by people 20,000 years ago !
Hands-on Learning Room ( 2nd floor )
Want a more memorable experience ? Try making stone tools and accessories made of obsidian , exclusively at Shirataki Geopark ! You can easily experience it at any time , no booking required ! Staff will be on hand to provide guidance , making the experience fun and safe for all ages !
◎For groups of 10 or more planning to try the hands-on learning experience , please contact the Shirataki Education Center in advance . ( Engaru Board of Education Shirataki Educational Center TEL:+81-158-48-2213 )
Stone Tool Making Experience ( Individual / Group )
| Recommended age | Elementary school 3rd grade or older |
| Degree of Difficulty | ★★★★ |
| Required Time | 60 – 90 minutes |
| Cost of Materials | 300 yen ◎An additional fee for the hands-on learning experience will be charged . Adults : 110 yen , high school students and below ( including preschoolers ) : 60 yen ◎Annual Pass holders are exempt from the hands-on learning fee . |
| Precaution | Obsidian shards are extremely sharp , so please be careful . Please wear closed-in shoes , socks , and long pants for the experience . |
Magatama Making Experience ( Individual / Group )
| Recommended age | 5 years old and up |
| Degree of Difficulty | ★★ |
| Required Time | 60 – 90 minutes |
| Cost of Materials | 400 yen ◎An additional fee for the hands-on learning experience will be charged . Adults : 110 yen , high school students and below ( including preschoolers ) : 60 yen ◎Annual Pass holders are exempt from the hands-on learning fee . |
| Precaution | Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty as you may get covered with powder and dust when sanding and buffing . |
Obsidian Accessory Making Experience ( Individual / Group )
| Recommended age | Elementary school 3rd grade or older |
| Degree of Difficulty | ★ |
| Required Time | 30 – 60 minutes |
| Cost of Materials | 200 yen ◎An additional fee for the hands-on learning experience will be charged . Adults : 110 yen , high school students and below ( including preschoolers ) : 60 yen ◎Annual Pass holders are exempt from the hands-on learning fee . |
Bone Tool Making Experience ( Individual / Group )
| Recommended age | Elementary school 3rd grade or older |
| Degree of Difficulty | ★★★ |
| Required Time | 60 – 90 minutes |
| Cost of Materials | 200 yen ◎An additional fee for the hands-on learning experience will be charged . Adults : 110 yen , high school students and below ( including preschoolers ) : 60 yen ◎Annual Pass holders are exempt from the hands-on learning fee . |
Glass Bead Making Experience ( Individual , Max. 4 people )
| Recommended age | Elementary school 3rd grade or older |
| Degree of Difficulty | ★★★★ |
| Required Time | 90 – 120 minutes ( including the 30-minute cooling time ) |
| Cost of Materials | 500 yen ◎An additional fee for the hands-on learning experience will be charged . Adults : 110 yen , high school students and below ( including preschoolers ) : 60 yen ◎Annual Pass holders are exempt from the hands-on learning fee . |
| Precaution | The number of people is limited to the number of gas burners ( 4 ) . Extreme care must be taken as the glass gets extremely hot in the burner and is still hot as it cools . |
Pottery Making Experience ( Individual / Group )
| Recommended age | Elementary school 3rd grade or older |
| Degree of Difficulty | ★★★ |
| Required Time | 90 – 120 minutes |
| Cost of Materials | 520 yen ( firing cost included ) ◎An additional fee for the hands-on learning experience will be charged . Adults : 110 yen , high school students and below ( including preschoolers ) : 60 yen ◎Annual Pass holders are exempt from the hands-on learning fee . |
| Precaution | It takes about one month to complete . Please note that some pottery may get damaged during the drying and firing process . |
Other Related Facilities
●Engaru Local Museum 【 Engaru Town Official Website 】
●Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park 【 Taiyo-no-Oka Engaru Park Official Website 】
●ChaCha World ( Museum of Worldwide Wooden Toys ) 【 ChaCha World Official Website 】
●Okhotsk Museum of Literature 【 Engaru Town Official Website 】