Parasite anyone?
August 8th, 2008 by Mark A BucktonIn recent years, the term parasite has become synonymous with a single person staying at home well into their late twenties, thirties or beyond.
More often than not they work, earn a decent wage, spend it all on themselves and let Mum and Dad shoulder the cost of living – even going to their parents for the odd handout from time to time.
Real life parasites meanwhile have reportedly been heard to be unhappy at this usage of their ‘group name’ and whilst not yet considering legal action have set up a museum to earn back a little of the respect they feel has been lost following the introduction into the common vernacular of the aforementioned term; ‘parasite single’.
So, while it may be true that parasites wouldn’t normally feature on anyone’s ‘to see’ list when scoping an area, town or city to visit – weird scientists and docs the obvious exception of course, the Meguro Parasite Museum is, as it happens, worth a visit if in the area – although perhaps not just after or even before eating lunch!
The parasite museum concept itself dates to 1953, but the facilities here in the current location opened in 1992 after a period of refurbishment. As a unique, one of a kind museum – literally – the museum is even a noted ‘date-spot’ in recent years; many young Japanese couples making their way here as part of a day together to see what is going on / hanging out etc.
With 300 exhibits in the display, including an 8.8m worm recovered from somebody’s inner workings, the chances for romance seem dim but to each their own as they say.
For the romantically – or parasitically – inclined then, the museum is situated in a relatively small looking building on a corner of Yamate-dori, 10/15 minutes or so walk down then up the hill from the main Meguro Station on JR and subway lines – in summer the perfect air conditioned stop off, on your way to the famed Meguro Fudo, a couple of hundred metres further along the narrow street than runs by the museum itself.
Opening Hours: Every day – with the exception of Mondays – 10:00am to 17:00pm
Admission: Free
