Meguro Parasitological Museum

A plethora of parasites through pictures

Justin Velgus Apr 23, 2014 - 1 min read

A display detailing how this parasite latches, feeds, and harms its crab host.

Plus-sized models of some common parasites.

The star of the museum is this tape worm. What started about the size of a clipped fingernail has grown nearly nine meters in length. And again, this grows inside animal or human hosts.

Seeing some of these pictures you really appreciate the medical and sanitation in Japan or perhaps your home country.  Other countries are not as fortunate and have much higher rates of infestation.

Comic strips urging soldiers to beware of drinking or bathing in jungle water. If you don't heed the warning you may be the next victim of snail fever.

Early research notes from the parasite research lab which is located on the other floors of the same building.

Much of the museum features jars of various parasites alongside information written in Japanese with a little English here and there.

Parasites can cause terrible consequences.

The unassuming entrance is easy to miss.

Parasites can be transmitted to almost any organ in the human body.

The Meguro Parasitological Museum is creepy, grotesque, and pure awesome. Rows of shelves are stacked with jars full of creatures that look like they are not of this world. It becomes ever more terrifying when you realize the very same contents could be lurking deep inside your own body. Since 1953, an unassuming building a fifteen minute walk from JR Meguro Station has been on the front lines of parasite research, preservation, and education. The official English website encourages us to "Try to think about parasites without a feeling of fear, and take the time to learn about their wondrous and resourceful way of life." However, most visitors simply want to experience the simple thrill factor and general bizarre nature of the world's only parasite museum. The other reason people go? It's free!

Justin Velgus @justin.velgus

Justin Velgus (ジャスティンベルガス) is the Miyagi Prefecture expert for Japan Travel and a long-term contributor since 2012 with a focus on the Tohoku region. Justin has written extensively for JT, and other publications such as VisitMiyagi and Sake Today, amassing over 350 published articles...