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All Japan Tokyo Meguro Parasitological Museum

Meguro Parasitological Museum

Meet the world's longest tapeworm in a collection that really gets under your skin.

Tokyo, Japan

Added By
ilbonito
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Meguro Parasitological Museum   alexxis on Flickr
Meguro Parasitological Museum   alexxis on Flickr
Meguro Parasitological Museum   frugalbinx on Flickr
Infected dolphin stomach.   jrmyst on Flickr
Meguro Parasitological Museum   frugalbinx on Flickr
Meguro Parasitological Museum   frugalbinx on Flickr
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
Schistosoma japonicum on a rabbit’s lung.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Dr. Yamaguchi’s “answer book.”   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Exterior.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Bolbosoma.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
An exhibit showing the head of a leech-infested sea turtle.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance to the museum   Thought & Sight
Gordian worms and ribbon worms.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
  Hermit09 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Billing itself as the only establishment in the world entirely devoted to parasites, this quirky little museum has become a popular offbeat attraction - and even date spot - in the relatively quiet Meguro neighborhood of Japan's sprawling capital.

The ground floor might seem harmless enough - lights flash on oversize maps of Japan to show where different parasites are present, and displays feature parasites that infect animals- but go up the stairs and things take an even more gruesome turn.

The second floor focuses on parasites that infect humans. Photographs show the severely distended testicles of the unfortunate human host of a tropical bug. Nearby, a giant herpetological parasite pokes out of a bottled turtle's head. The museum has over 45,000 immersed and prepared parasite specimens in its collection.

But the prize attraction is undoubtedly the world's longest tapeworm - all 8.8 metres of it - accompanied by a rope the same length that you can "play with" to get a real "feel" for its dimensions. The small gift shop sells a cheery range of parasite-themed T-shirts, keyrings, and birthday cards.

Related Tags

Pharmacy Museums Natural History Medical Museums Collections Bug Week Animals

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Fifteen minute walk from JR Meguro station (a map is available from their website). Donations are accepted, but admission is free.

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Community Contributors

Added By

ilbonito

Edited By

annakovach, Thought and Sight, mbison, Hermit09...

  • annakovach
  • Thought and Sight
  • mbison
  • Hermit09
  • Fred Cherrygarden

Published

June 23, 2016

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Sources
  • http://kiseichu.org/english.aspx
  • http://www.japan-hopper.com/ws/post/1/2/3045.html
  • http://thoughtandsight.com/tokyos-creepy-crawly-parasite-museum/
Meguro Parasitological Museum
4-1-1 Shinmeguro
Meguro-ku
Tokyo, 153-0064
Japan
35.631938, 139.706789
Visit Website
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