The Nawa Insect Museum is located in Gifu Park in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture. Recognized as Japan’s oldest museum specializing in insects, it houses more than 300,000 specimens representing approximately 12,000 insect species from around the world. In addition to displaying specimens, the museum also raises and studies various insects.
The museum traces its origins to the Nawa Insect Research Institute, established in April 1896 to research pest control and the protection of beneficial insects. The institute was initially located in Shiraki-cho, Gifu City, before moving to its present site in 1904.
The Nawa Insect Museum officially opened on October 26, 1919. Its original two-story Western-style building was designed by Goichi Takeda, a prominent Japanese architect known for incorporating Western architectural influences into his work.
One unusual feature of the building is the use of a wooden pillar damaged by termites at Toshodaiji Temple in Nara. The museum building is considered a valuable example of Meiji-era Western-style architecture and was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in 1996, becoming the first property in Gifu Prefecture to receive this designation.
This exhibition explores the Gifu butterfly, a species discovered by Yasushi Nawa, the founder of the Nawa Insect Research Institute. Visitors can learn about the butterfly through actual specimens, photographs illustrating its ecology, and other displays. The museum also features a live display showcasing the butterfly’s life and behavior.
This section features large and famous species of rhinoceros beetles and stag beetles from across the globe. Highlights include the impressive Hercules beetle, stag beetles measuring more than 100 millimeters in length, and the unusual Daruma stag beetle, known for its distinctive shape.
This exhibition introduces butterfly species commonly found in the wild around Gifu City. Displays are organized by habitat, including Gifu Park, satoyama landscapes (traditional rural areas between villages and mountains), mixed woodland, valleys, and highlands. Ecological photographs help visitors understand the butterflies and the environments in which they live.
This fascinating section showcases insects with remarkable appearances and characteristics. Exhibits include jewel-like beetles, colorful jewel beetles and scarab beetles, beautiful moths, some of the world’s largest cicadas, long-armed scarab beetles, and exceptionally large scarab beetles. The variety of shapes, colors, and adaptations makes this a highlight for insect enthusiasts.
This section focuses on familiar insects and introduces visitors to their scientific classification. It offers an opportunity to discover more about the insects commonly encountered in daily life.
The second floor features an impressive collection of butterflies celebrated for their beauty. Highlights include the brilliantly colored sunset moth, sometimes described as a “flying jewel”; the intricately patterned Jezebel butterflies, known for their colorful undersides; and spectacular birdwing butterflies, often regarded as among the world’s most magnificent butterflies.
This interactive exhibition invites visitors to explore the fascinating world of insects through 13 quiz questions based on actual specimens. It offers an enjoyable way for children and adults alike to learn about insect diversity and unusual characteristics.
In spring, visitors may have the opportunity to see newly emerged Gifu butterflies. Their appearance makes the season particularly appealing for those interested in observing insects and their life cycles.
To the west of the museum stands a memorial monument dedicated to insects. Known as the Konchu-hi, it was erected in 1919 to celebrate the 60th birthday of Yasushi Nawa and to commemorate insects.
The adjacent Memorial Insect Museum is also worth visiting for its historic architecture. Built in 1907, this Western-style structure was originally used as a special room for displaying insect specimens. Its raised-floor design helped protect the specimens in storage. The building is designated as a cultural property by Gifu City.
The Nawa Insect Museum combines scientific learning, natural history, and historic architecture in one distinctive destination. From spectacular tropical butterflies and giant beetles to familiar local insects, its collections reveal the extraordinary diversity of the insect world. It is an engaging place for families, students, researchers, and anyone curious about nature.