The Osaka Museum of Natural History has teamed up with a community-based group of supporters to provide special activities aimed at raising interest in nature, including behind-the-scenes tours not normally available.
In mid-February, the museum, operated by Osaka City Hall, opened its usually closed treasure house for a tour by members of the group. The house stores a huge number of animal and plant samples, old publications and fossils, among other items.
"While no more than 15,000 or so items are on display (in the museum), we have at least 1.3 million reference materials in the treasure house," Takeshi Nakajo, a 46-year-old curator, told the group, which included children.