A sense of obligation to visit a museum of some description falls upon us when we land in a new city. Here are five you won’t have to pretend you’re enjoying.
By Robert Carry
Icelandic Phallogical Museum, Iceland
Some strange Icelandic individual decided it would be a good idea to gather together various animal and human phalluses, and it turns out – it was.
The Icelandic Phallogical Museum in Husavik, ReykjavÃk, looks innocuous enough from the outside, but it houses over 150 penises and penile parts. Mounted members jut from the walls, hang from the ceiling and float in the murky liquid of luminously back-lit pickle in jars. This is the one museum where the ‘do not touch’ sign is entirely unnecessary. The Phallogical Museum is open Thursdays and Saturdays. Entry is ISK400.
Tattoo Museum, Jikei Medical University
There are a number of tattoo museums dotted around the globe, but undoubtedly the finest collection of tattoo art is housed in the medical museum of Tokyo University. The inked-up hides of some 30 men are on display. However, that’s not all. The museum also features a disturbingly odd collection of medical curios, including the pickled brains of five Japanese ex-prime ministers, a sample of the first ever man-made cancer and a display of Japanese mummies.
Sadly, some parts of the museum are viewable by staff and students only although you can secure an invite through arrangement. Click here for more info:
One of the human skins on display in Tokyo’s University Museum:
Meguro Parasitological Museum, Japan
The strange interests of the Japanese sees the Asian nation secure a second Museum on JOE’s list of the world’s strangest – this time it’s the Meguro Parasitological Museum.
The museum features a stunning range of the piggy-backing nasties which infect both humans and animals. We’re talking hookworms, tapeworms, fleas, ticks and every other type of critter you never want to be anywhere near. As well as the parasites themselves, the museum also fills you in, via gruesome medical photos, on the sort of damage they can inflict on their hosts. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted. The nearest train station is Meguro; take the west exit and walk about 15 minutes.
Sulabh International Museum of Toilets, India
The wonderful world of toilets is beautifully surmised within the walls of the Sulabh International Museum in Dabri Marg, New Delhi. It features exhibits on the various toilet systems found around the world as well as a range of novelty lavatories. Those who decide to pop along may find themselves wondering what in God’s name they are doing there, but the place does serve a purpose – it was put together as part of an initiative aimed at improving sanitation in India.
The Sulabh Museum is open Monday to Saturday. Click here for more info.
Hair Museum, Turkey
Who doesn’t like hair? That’s right – nobody. So, it’s actually quite strange that Turkish potter Galip Körükçü has put together what is the world’s only Hair Museum.
He has managed to convince women from all over the world to hand over their hair to be used as displays. As if this story couldn’t get any more serial killer, Galip simply attached the hair to the walls and ceiling of a cave. He has managed to amass an astounding 16,000 exhibits to date. If you would like to check out Calip’s creepy collection, click here for more information.
