There’s something about defunct facilities that intrigues the curious explorer. In this case, it’s a former stone quarry located in the fringes of Utsunomiya, a city in Tochigi Prefecture. Its name? Oya History Museum.
Date Visited: November 10, 2019
Chasmic Wonder
The facade of Oya History Museum is as unexciting as its name, but make no mistake; the place is packed with history and wonderment. The descent begins as you slip into a narrow passageway, and which opens to a surreal network of caverns, illuminated by colorful lights.
Unlike the rugged structure of natural caves, the walls of Oya History museum are smooth, as if a giant cleaver cut through beds of stone. The walls are massive and towering; they make you feel miniscule as you walk your way through the designated route. Part of it makes you feel like you’re exploring a pyramid, part of it feels like you’re browsing artworks displayed in a museum of modern art.
The walls are not the only things of mytstic allure inside Oya History Museum. Certain areas invite visitors to look up and find holes of curious shapes. The sharp edges, along with the stream of light coming from the surface gives off an ethereal feel.
A Popular Event Space
A portion of the massive underground tunnel has been transformed into an event space, where weddings, concerts and other celebrations take place. The museum is also often used as the shooting location for movies, music videos, and TV commercials. You can find a gallery of these in one area. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised to find out X JAPAN’s Forever Love music video was filmed here.
Historic Oya Stone
The stone quarry was mined for then valuable Oya stone and remained operational until 1986. The Oya stone is made from lava and ash, which made it an ideal material for construction, at least before the widespread use of concrete. Some of the known strtuctures made with Oya Stone is the former Imperial Hotel, which miraculously withstood the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.
The stone quary was also reportedly a secret aircraft manufacturing plant back in WWII, where Nakajima Aircraft Company made fighter planes.
Something for the Sweet Tooths, Too
The vast Oya History Museum takes about an hour or two to explore, and once you’re done you can head to the Rockside Market on the surface where you can enjoy coffee and sweets. Souvenirs are also available. There is also a small pond near the cafe where you can draw fortune slips.
Rockside Market Love fortune slips Pond with goldfish
How to Get to Oya History Museum
Oya History Museum (大谷資料館、おおや しりょう かん, Ōya Shiryō Kan)
30-minute bus ride from JR or Tobu Utsunomiya Stations
Open from 09:30 to 16:30 closed on Tuesdays
Official Website
Entrance Fees:
Adult: ¥800
Child: ¥400
From the West Exit of JR Utsunomitya Station, head to Bus Stop # 6. Take the #45 bus bound for Tateiwa and get off at Shiryokan Iriguchi.
Bring a jacket. The museum temperature is kept below 10°C.
