Meguro Parasitological Museum, Tokyo Travel Guide

Venture into the unsettling world of the Meguro Parasitological Museum, a one-of-a-kind institution dedicated to the study and display of parasites. Founded in 1953 by Dr. Satoru Kamegai, who was inspired by the prevalence of parasitic diseases in post-war Japan, the museum aims to educate the public about these often-overlooked creatures and their impact on human and animal health.The museum features two floors of exhibits showcasing approximately 300 preserved parasite specimens. The first floor introduces the diversity of parasites, displaying various species that infect fish, animals, and humans. The second floor delves deeper into human and zoonotic parasites, highlighting their life cycles and the diseases they cause. The star attraction is the 8.8-meter-long tapeworm, extracted from a human host who consumed infected raw fish. A piece of fabric of the same length is displayed next to it, to give you an idea of its sheer size.Beyond the exhibits, the museum serves as a research facility with a library containing 60,000 parasite specimens, 50,000 academic papers, and 5,000 books. Visitors can also explore the museum shop, which offers parasite-themed souvenirs such as t-shirts, keychains with real parasites encased in acrylic, and guidebooks. While most signage is in Japanese, English translations are available for many exhibits.