Chichibu Chinsekikan: The Museum of Curious Rocks

In Saitama Prefecture, Japan, there is a fascinating museum called Chichibu Chinsekikan (Hall of Curious Rocks). This museum houses approximately 1,700 stones, varying in size and shape, but all sharing one common feature—they resemble human faces!

Celebrity Faces Among the Stones

Not only do these stones resemble human faces, but some even look like famous celebrities. You can find stones that resemble Elvis Presley, King Kong from the movies, ET, and even Nemo from the animated film "Finding Nemo." The museum is truly a treasure trove of unique and intriguing stones.

The Origins of Chichibu Chinsekikan

This museum was founded by Shozo Hayama, who spent 50 years collecting these natural curiosities. After Hayama passed away in 2010, the museum is now managed by his wife, Yoshiko Hayama. Due to the vast number of stones in the collection, some of which are still unnamed, the curator occasionally invites visitors to help name them.

Visiting Chichibu Chinsekikan

Chichibu Chinsekikan is located about a 10-minute walk from Yagimori Station and approximately a two-hour drive from Tokyo. Given the current favorable exchange rate of the Japanese yen, it makes for an excellent addition to your Japan travel itinerary. However, since the museum may occasionally close due to personal reasons, it is recommended to contact the curator in advance to confirm the opening hours.

The Fascination of Pareidolia

Our brains have a remarkable ability to perceive faces in random patterns, a phenomenon known as pareidolia. In Japan, this quirky museum takes pareidolia to a new level, with its collection of over a thousand stones that appear to have human faces.

Of course, these "face stones" are quite abstract. However, once you identify the positions of the mouth and eyes, your brain will automatically fill in the rest, and a face or expression will gradually emerge on the stone.


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