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A facility where you can learn about the history of Miyakejima. It's located on the site of the former Ako Elementary and Junior High School. Free for those aged 65 and over. The torch and torchbearer uniform from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics are on display. Photography is prohibited on the 2nd floor.

Visited on August 10, 2024. Because of the opening hours I visited in the afternoon, but if you're going to explore the island, I feel this is the museum you'd want to visit first. Photography was prohibited inside the exhibition rooms, so I'll write about the exhibits that personally caught my interest. (Photography allowed outside the exhibition rooms) ① The island has more Shikinaisha (shrines listed in the Engishiki) scattered around than other islands. As many as 12 of them are listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, compiled in Encho 5 (927). ② Reading the “Miyakeki,” which records the origins of Toga Shrine, I learned that the island's own form of faith has merged with faith in Mishima Daimyojin. Things like the Monomidokoro ruins (stone-pile ruins), where the characters of Buddhist scriptures were written in ink on stones one character each, I think also reflect influence from Honshu. ③ Photos documenting the kagura of Gosai Shrine are on display. They depict a story in which Kotoshironushi no Mikoto, who appears in the land-transfer myth, slays a giant serpent, which I think is valuable. ④ The achievements of Asanuma Inejiro, who came from Kamitsuki on Miyakejima and became chairman of the Japan Socialist Party, are on display. Many of you probably know he was struck down by an assassin's blade during a speech. It seems to be a facility that makes use of an old school building.

Opened on April 23, 1998, after renovating the closed-down Ako Elementary School. The 1F requires no admission fee and has a library attached. A 3D model of Miyakejima is also on display, and if your timing is right, a former Miyakejima staff member is volunteering there, and you can hear vivid firsthand accounts of the eruption. For the local history museum, buy a ticket from the vending machine in front of the office on 1F, and you can enter the exhibition room area on 2F. Note that photography of the 2F exhibits is prohibited. The exhibition rooms are set up in each former classroom, and you go around them in order. 【Exhibition Room 1】The Dawn of Miyakejima 【Exhibition Room 2】Shrines and Faith of Miyakejima 【Exhibition Room 3】Exile Culture 【Exhibition Room 4】Blessings of the Kuroshio 【Exhibition Room 5】History of the Volcano A side note・・・ The destination sign once used on the old Salvia Maru was donated and is now preserved and displayed at this museum!! Admission/General 200 yen (group discount for 15 or more) Junior high students and younger, 65 and over: free Opening hours/10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Closed/Every Wednesday, year-end and New Year holidays (12/29～1/3) On-island transport/2-minute walk from the village bus stop 【Ako】

Since you go around themed exhibition rooms, I enjoyed looking around each room with a fresh feeling. I felt I'd like to come with plenty of time, or split it into 2 visits to take it in slowly. Also, the staff answered my questions politely and carefully.