What this is
Forty thousand years ago, humans shared the planet with woolly mammoths, cave lions, and giant deer — and this special exhibition at Kyushu National Museum brings that world to life through artifacts and immersive displays. It explores the Ice Age as experienced by early humanity, examining how our ancestors survived and created meaning in a dramatically different climate. A rare opportunity to encounter prehistoric material culture in one of Japan's premier national museums.
Who should go
History enthusiasts, families with curious older children, and anyone fascinated by prehistoric life or human origins. The Kyushu National Museum setting makes it a natural stop for visitors already exploring Dazaifu.
Good to know
Tickets for special exhibitions at the Kyushu National Museum are typically purchased at the venue box office or in advance via the museum's official website or convenience store ticketing services such as Lawson Ticket or eplus.jp, which accept foreign credit cards. The museum is a large, modern facility with good English signage throughout — one of the more foreigner-friendly national museums in Japan. Special exhibitions are separate from the general admission area and require an additional ticket. The museum is connected to Dazaifu Tenmangu by a covered escalator walkway, making navigation straightforward. Allow at least 90 minutes for the exhibition itself.
This event was sourced and translated from Japanese by What's On Japan. Details may change — verify with the official source before attending.