Okayama Orient Museum
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 them, the Assyrian relief "Winged Eagle-Headed Protective Spirit" excavated from an ancient Mesopotamian royal palace is especially impressive, offering a chance to reflect on the distant world of West Asia.
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.
