Experience Excavating 90-Million-Year-Old Cretaceous Strata in Hokuto City
《Click here to download the flyer》
Specially brought to the museum are strata from Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, dating back approximately 90 million years to the Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era, where Waseda University has been conducting excavation research since 2012. Participants will search for fossils from these strata.
During last year’s Fossil Excavation Experience, more than 650 “premium fossils” were discovered, including dinosaur fossils (sauropods), crocodiles, shark teeth, and turtle shells. What kinds of fossils will be waiting for you this year?
*If you discover a premium fossil, it will be donated to Kuji City, Iwate Prefecture, as it is considered a valuable specimen. In return, the discoverer’s name will be recorded, and a wonderful fossil will be presented as a gift.
We call academically important fossils “premium fossils”!
■ Dates: July 5 (Sat), July 6 (Sun), July 12 (Sat), July 13 (Sun), July 19 (Sat), July 20 (Sun), July 24 (Thu)–July 27 (Sun), July 31 (Thu)–August 3 (Sun), August 8 (Fri)–August 11 (Mon)
*Held rain or shine; canceled in the event of severe weather.
■ Time: ① 10:30 a.m.– ② 1:30 p.m.–
■ Capacity: 60 participants per session
■ Program: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes per session, including an introductory lecture of about 10 minutes
■ What to bring: Work gloves, a hat for sun protection, and drinks
■ Instructors: Ren Hirayama, Professor at Waseda University; Hikaru Uno, Waseda University; and others
■ Venue: Rooftop Rakuda Park, Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum
■ Participation Fee: Adults: ¥1,500, including museum admission / Junior high school students and younger: ¥700
Museum admission is free for junior high school students and younger.
■ Application Opens: Saturday, June 7, from 10:00 a.m.
■ How to Apply: Please apply through the dedicated website for the Fossil Excavation Experience 2025, which will be published on the homepage at 10:00 a.m. on June 7.
*Notifications will be sent to the email address you register. Please make sure to register an email address that can receive messages.
■ Organized by: Hirayama Ikuo Silk Road Museum Foundation
■ Supported by: Ren Hirayama Laboratory, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University; Kuji Amber Museum
■ Endorsed by: Yamanashi Prefectural Board of Education; Hokuto City Board of Education; The Yamanashi Nichinichi Shimbun and Yamanashi Broadcasting System
*As there may be people waiting for cancellations on the day of the event, please be sure to contact us even if you need to cancel at the last minute.
The application start date for the Fossil Excavation Experience has been changed to Saturday, making it easier for parents to take time off. In response to requests from those who would like to apply for the related programs at the same time, applications for the related programs by phone will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, one hour later. Please also note that the number of sessions, capacity, and participation fee have changed from 2024.
We look forward to receiving your reservations.
