The Nima Sand Museum, located in Nima Town, Oda City, Shimane Prefecture, is a unique museum dedicated to sand, time, and the environment. Its striking complex of large glass pyramids is easily visible from National Route 9 and has become one of Oda’s most distinctive tourist attractions.
Opened in 1991, the museum offers much more than a traditional exhibition space. Through the natural material of sand, visitors can explore the passage of time and learn about the importance of preserving the natural environment. Highlights include the enormous one-year hourglass known as “Suna-goyomi”, collections of sand from around the world, exhibitions explaining the phenomenon of singing sand, and hands-on workshops suitable for both children and adults.
The museum also has a close connection with nearby Kotogahama Beach, famous for its singing sand. The facility was created in part from a desire to protect this rare and beautiful natural environment, making it a place where tourism, education, and environmental awareness come together.
One of the most distinctive features of the Nima Sand Museum is its complex of six glass pyramid structures of different sizes. The buildings were designed by Shin Takamatsu, an internationally recognized architect who was born in Nima Town.
The futuristic architecture resembles a collection of enormous glass sculptures. The pyramid design was inspired by an unusual connection between two types of singing sand: sand from the burial chamber of the Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt and sand from nearby Kotogahama Beach in Nima are both known for producing sound when walked upon.
The transparent glass buildings change their appearance throughout the day. They reflect the blue sky in bright sunlight and take on a softer glow toward sunset, creating different photographic opportunities depending on the time of your visit.
Colorful chairs are also sometimes placed outside the museum, creating popular photo spots. Seven chairs representing the colors of the rainbow and seasonal displays using colorful curtains have become particularly popular with visitors.
The symbol of the Nima Sand Museum is “Suna-goyomi,” a giant one-year hourglass recognized as one of the largest of its kind in the world.
The enormous glass container is approximately 5.2 meters high and 1 meter in diameter. It contains about 1 ton of sand, which takes an entire year to pass through the hourglass.
The sand flows through a tiny nozzle measuring just 0.84 millimeters in diameter. Its carefully controlled rate is approximately 0.032 grams per second, 114 grams per hour, and 2,740 grams per day. Computer systems precisely control the flow, allowing visitors to watch time itself being measured in grains of sand.
The hourglass took three years to create and was supervised by the late Shigeo Miwa, an emeritus professor of Doshisha University and a specialist in powder technology. Its extraordinary scale attracted international attention when it was completed, and it was later registered as a Guinness World Record.
The original plan was to use sand from nearby Kotogahama Beach. However, because the local sand has relatively coarse particles, an enormous quantity would have been required. The museum therefore selected ancient singing sand from the Iide Mountains in Yamagata Prefecture.
Created by nature over an immense period of time, this fine sand now flows slowly through the giant hourglass, marking the passage of each year.
Every year from December 31 to January 1, the Nima Sand Museum holds the “Festival of Time”.
During this special New Year’s event, 108 participants use ropes to turn over the enormous hourglass and mark the beginning of a new year. The number 108 comes from the traditional Japanese count of 108 worldly desires, symbolized by the 108 bells rung at Buddhist temples on New Year’s Eve.
Watching the giant hourglass slowly turn and seeing the sand begin its journey through another year is a memorable and atmospheric experience. It offers a rare opportunity to actually watch the passage of time.
The nearby Kotogahama Beach is an essential part of the story behind the museum. The beach is famous for its singing sand, which produces a distinctive squeaking or musical sound when people walk across it.
For sand to produce this sound, the beach must remain exceptionally clean. The phenomenon is therefore also considered a sign of a healthy natural environment.
The Nima Sand Museum was established with the goal of helping visitors understand and protect this precious environment. Inside the museum, exhibits explain how singing sand works, and visitors can even examine individual grains of sand under a microscope.
Visitors can also enjoy a popular activity involving the search for tiny seashells. Small shells washed ashore at Kotogahama Beach can be discovered and collected as a memorable reminder of a trip to the area.
The museum is designed not only for viewing exhibits but also for hands-on learning. Its interactive activities make it enjoyable for families as well as travelers interested in crafts and natural science.
Visitors can create their own sand paintings using sand in a variety of colors. By peeling away sections of an adhesive design and sprinkling different colors of sand over them, participants can create an original artwork to take home.
New designs are introduced each month, making this activity appealing to both young children and adults.
The museum’s collection includes sand gathered not only from different parts of Japan but also from locations around the world.
Sand varies greatly in color, shape, and size depending on its place of origin. Displays include black, red, white, and many other types of sand, allowing visitors to discover the diversity of the world’s landscapes through this seemingly simple natural material.
The museum is also associated with the popular manga “Sandglass” by Hinako Ashihara, which was set in the area.
A special exhibition displays props used in the television drama and film adaptations, along with posters, scripts, and autographs from the cast. It is an especially interesting stop for fans of the series.
Next to the museum, the Fureai Exchange Hall offers opportunities to experience glass crafts.
One of the most popular activities is making a clear candle. Visitors can combine colorful sand and small pieces of glass to create their own original candle.
Other activities include making herbariums and creating glass crafts. Since finished works can be taken home, these activities are also popular as unique travel souvenirs.
The museum shop offers a variety of distinctive souvenirs, including hourglasses, accessories, glass goods, and other items inspired by sand and time.
The Nima Sand Museum brings together education, creativity, and entertainment in a single destination.
For children, the giant hourglass and interactive exhibits provide an exciting introduction to natural science. For adults, the museum offers a peaceful opportunity to reflect on the passage of time and the importance of protecting the environment.
Seasonal exhibitions and special events are also held throughout the year, giving returning visitors opportunities to discover something new.
The museum is approximately a 10-minute walk from Nima Station on the JR San’in Main Line.
It takes approximately 5 minutes by car from the Nima-Iwami Ginzan Interchange on the San’in Expressway.
The museum is conveniently located for a sightseeing route that also includes Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, Yunotsu Onsen, and Kotogahama Beach.
The Nima Sand Museum is more than a tourist attraction. Through sand, it encourages visitors to think quietly about what time means and why the natural environment should be protected.
Watching “Suna-goyomi” slowly measure out an entire year can provide a welcome break from the pace of everyday life. The steady movement of countless grains of sand creates a peaceful atmosphere and offers a different perspective on the value of time.
When visiting Oda City, take the opportunity to explore the Nima Sand Museum and experience this fascinating world where sand, time, architecture, and nature come together.