History of theKumamoto Prefectural
Center of Environmental
Education & Information
May 1st, 1956
October 1977
October 1978
March 1990
March 1990
October 1990
January 1993
August 20th, 1993
May 1997

October 2000
June 2001
April 2002
July 2003

Start of pollution prevention projects
in Minamata bay, etc.
Establishment of basic plan forEnvironmental Center

Environmental Center opened
100,000th visitor

Mondays & New Year’s Eve, New Year’s(Closed the following day if Monday
is a holiday or if museum is closed)

ADMISSION
Free

Start of Kid’s Eco Seminars(1/3 of pref 5th graders visit Center)
300,000th visitor

Renewal of 2nd ﬂoor exhibit (Eco Stage)

Start of Higokko Study in Minamata
for all 5th graders in prefecture
600,000th visitor

700,000th visitor

November 2017

800,000th visitor

March 2019

Renewal of 2F Eco Stage,
1F Entrance Hall exhibits

August 2018

CLOSED

200,000th visitor

500,000th visitor

January 2015

9AM-5PM (last entry 4:30PM)

National Minamata Disease
Information Center opened

October 2008
November 2011

HOURS

Kumamoto Pref. General Environmental
Ordinance enacted
Minamata Disease
Municipal Museum opened

25th anniversary of Environmental Center

EXPERIENCE

熊本県環境センター

INFORMATION

Completion of pollution prevention
projects in Minamata Bay

400,000th visitor

April 2011

Kumamoto Prefectural
Center of Environmental
Education and Information

Founding of National Institute for
Minamata Disease

FEELKumamoto Prefectural Center ofEnvironmental Education andInformationOﬃcial discovery of Minamata Disease

February 2006
May 2007LEARNSHIRANUI SEA

National Institute for Minamata Disease
Yunoko Onsen

Kumamoto Prefecture
Environmental Center Minamata 56

Minamata
DiseaseArchives

River
Minamata Disesase
Municipal Museum
Minamata Memorial

Eco Park

Koiji Island
Minamata
Matsubokkuri
Takenko (Restaurant)
Minamata
Port

To Kagoshima

MinamataCity Hall◎

Kyushu ShinkansenShin-Minamata
Station3JNC
Minamata Factory Hisatsu Ora(Chisso)Railw ngeayBamboo
GardenMinamata
StationenansinkSh

268

To
Kumamotoshu
Hazenoki-kan
Kyu
117
To Kugino
Orange-kan
OkuchiMinamata Disease MuseumTo Yunotsuru Onsen

867-0055
Myojincho 55-1, Minamata, Kumamoto Pref.
TEL: 0966-62-2000 FAX: 0966-62-1212

URL http://www.kumamoto eco.jp/center
E-mail center@kumamoto-eco.jp

INSIDE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTERSEMINARS & ACTIVITIES
Environmental Seminars
Numerous seminars available atrequest, including on global
warming, aquatic environ ments, garbage reduction, etc.

Crafting & Outdoor Activities

2F2F

Eco Stage - The Future of the Earth
Global warming takes a long time to occur.
What will the Earth look like in 100 years? EcoStage offers a look into the future through its
Global Warming Simulation.

Observatory
Offering a relaxing viewof the Yatsushiro(Shiranui) Sea. The islandsof Amakusa and Kagoshima are visible on clear
days.

2F

Environmental Theater &Conference Room
Equipped with a projectorand speaker system.
Available for rent.

2FInformation Plaza
Home to over 14,000books and magazines
available for loan, as
well as 600 DVDs andvideos available forviewing.

Participants can try crafting thingsfrom items other people havethrown away. Participants can alsohead outside to do some work in thefield.

1F

Fun Activity Space
Featuring a variety ofenvironmental activities,
like the Kuma Eco Minamata
Shop, where kids can learn
how to practice ecologicallyminded shopping.

VISITING SEMINARS
Environmental Classroom on Wheels
Staff from the Environmental
Center will visit you to givetalks about the environment
and lead crafting activities.

Environmental Specialist Talks
We can arrange environmental
experts and university professors
to visit you and hold seminars.

Ecologist Leader Visits
We can have an Ecologist Leader(environmental specialist fromwithin the prefecture) visit to doa talk or lead crafting activities.