Shimane | Nima Sand Museum
Nima Sand Museum in Shimane is a beautifully architectural museum featuring glass panels forming a pyramid. It holds the world's largest hourglass which takes one year to empty its sand into the bottom globe. The 5.2 meter high hourglass carries 1 ton worth of sand. On New Years Eve 108 townspeople born during the coming years zodiac sign work together to flip the enormous hourglass and celebrate the coming New Years as the museum lights up 1,000 fireworks. Besides the hourglass the museum has many sand related goods on display including sandglasses, flower clock, sundial, and interesting sand work. The museum also features a free workshop where guests can try sand art.