The museum isn’t very big, but it’s comfortable to walk around and doesn’t feel tiring. It mainly features Oriental art, including artifacts and artworks from places like China, India, and the Middle East, and the collection clearly has its own character.
It’s not crowded, and the whole atmosphere is very quiet, which makes it a great place to take your time and just immerse yourself. If you’re already interested in Oriental culture or art, it feels well worth a visit. Even if you’re just passing by, it’s still a nice spot to stop in and look around.
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Okayama Orient Museum
The only public art museum in Japan dedicated to the ancient Orient.
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The only public art museum in Japan specializing in the Orient region, from ancient Mesopotamian civilization to the Islamic era. Its collection of around 5,000 items includes relics from a wide range of civilizations, from stone tools dating back Approx. 500,000 years to ceramics, glassware, and metalwork. Among the highlights is the Assyrian relief "Winged Eagle-Headed Protective Spirit" excavated from an ancient Mesopotamian royal palace, an impressive work that inspires thoughts of distant West Asia.
The building was completed in 1979. Its exterior is designed to evoke an ancient temple, while inside, top lighting and a large atrium create an exhibition space filled with soft natural light. In addition to the galleries, the museum also has a museum shop and the cafe "Ibrik," offering a comfortable place to take a break between exhibits.
Along with exhibitions from the museum's own collection, small special exhibitions exploring themes related to the ancient Orient are also held regularly, offering a new perspective with every visit. The museum also hosts regular workshops and hands-on experiences such as trying on ethnic costumes, making it a place where both children and adults can enjoy learning. It is a welcoming museum where visitors of all ages can casually experience the world of the ancient Orient.
Highlights
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Introduces a wide range of ancient civilizations from West Asia to Egypt through a collection of Approx. 5,000 items.
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Houses internationally acclaimed archaeological artworks, including Neo-Assyrian reliefs.
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Features architecture inspired by ancient temples and exhibition spaces filled with natural light.
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With collection exhibitions and small special exhibitions, there is something new to discover no matter how many times you visit.
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You can also use just the cafe or shop.
Photos
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A building designed to evoke an ancient temple
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"Collection Exhibition," featuring around 300 pieces from the museum's holdings
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Hands-on workshops are also held regularly
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The cafe "Ibrik" serves Arabic coffee, a rarity in Japan!
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A museum shop with a selection of exotic items
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Is free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A
Yes, it is.
Q
Are there coin lockers?
A
Yes, there are.
Q
Is re-entry allowed?
A
Yes, it is.
Q
Is there a smoking area?
A
No, there is not.
Q
Are there any tourist attractions nearby?
A
Yes. (Okayama Castle, Korakuen Garden, Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, etc.)
Reviews
1
Some reviews are AI-translated.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 岡山市立オリエント美術館
- Postal Code
- 700-0814
- Address
- 9-31 Tenjin-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, Okayama Prefecture
- Phone
- 086-232-3636
- Closed on
- Mondays (the following weekday if Monday is a national holiday), exhibition change periods, and the New Year holiday period (December 28–January 4)
- Hours
- 9:00am–5:00pm (Last admission at 4:30pm)
- Admission
- Adults 310 yen, high school and university students 210 yen, junior high school students and younger 100 yen (special exhibitions require a separate fee)
- Access
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1) Approx. 5 minutes from JR Okayama Station by streetcar bound for Higashiyama, get off at Shiroshita stop and it is right there
2) Approx. 15 minutes on foot from JR Okayama Station - Credit Cards
- Accepted
- Official website
- Official website (Japanese)
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