Gensou Hyouhon Hakubutsukan (”Museum of Fantastic Specimens”) is an online collection of creatures “curated” by Hajime Emoto. The three-story virtual museum consists of 9 rooms chock full of water- and land-dwelling monstrosities from all corners of the globe. Each specimen has a thumbnail that displays more photos and historical and background information (entirely in Japanese). The cafeteria in the basement serves dishes prepared using some of the beasts featured in the museum.

All of the creatures showcased in the museum are sculpted from paper, modeling paste and bamboo and are completely imaginary, claims Emoto — disheartening news for believers in the legendary tsuchinoko (pictured above, on the right in the middle).

Navigating the virtual museum may be a bit difficult if you cannot read Japanese, so try the links below if you get lost.

1st Floor: Room 1, Room 2, Room 3

2nd Floor: Room 4, Room 5, Room 6, Room 7

3rd Floor: Room 8, Room 9

Basement

You can see some of Emoto’s specimens in Tokyo at the “Augen 2006″ exhibit at Aoki Gallery from July 10 – 22, along with works by 27 other artists. “Augen 2006″ is being held to commemorate Aoki Gallery’s 45th year in operation.

[Link: Museum of Fantastic Specimens]

Via Pink Tentacles