1.
archive; museum; resource center; reference hall
A facility that collects, preserves, and displays materials related to a specific topic, region, or historical period. Smaller and more specialized than a general museum.
Composed of 資料 (materials, documents, data) + 館 (hall, building). A common type of public institution in Japan, typically run by local governments.
Common collocations
- 郷土資料館: local history museum/archive
- 歴史資料館: historical archive
- 平和資料館: peace museum
- 民俗資料館: folk culture museum
Similar words
- 博物館: museum — larger, more general institution with varied collections
- 図書館: library — focused on books and lending; 資料館 focuses on archival materials and exhibits
- 記念館: memorial hall — dedicated to a specific person or event
- 美術館: art museum — specifically for fine art collections
Usage
Nearly every municipality in Japan has some form of 資料館. They are typically free or inexpensive to enter and serve an educational purpose. The word is often preceded by a modifier indicating the subject area.