If you’re a pottery lover, you’ll love the Museum of Oriental Ceramics in the Umeda district. But even if you’re not a huge fan, their collection of Asian ceramics is guaranteed to make you fall in love with the art of ceramics.
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka - image © Florentyna Leow
Many people conceive of ceramics as mere crockery, rather than art pieces in their own right. But a visit to the Museum of Oriental Ceramics in Umeda is guaranteed to change anyone’s mind: it’s home to one of the world’s finest collections of ceramics from East Asia, alongside pieces from places like Vietnam and Persia.
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka - image © Florentyna Leow
The museum houses a whopping 4,000 pieces of ceramics, including the world-famous Ataka collection that has two national treasures and 13 important cultural assets. What that means is you’ll get to see some truly stunning examples of Chinese and Korean ceramics from the last two thousand years, from exquisite celadon pottery to gorgeous hand-painted vases and plates. It almost goes without saying that you’ll find fabulous Japanese pottery here, too.
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka - image © Florentyna Leow
Besides the frequently-rotating displays of pieces from their own collection and variously-themed exhibitions, the museum also hosts occasional visiting exhibitions of ceramic art from other parts of the world. Past countries featured include Hungary, Finland, and England.
While the museum does indeed make a fantastic rainy day option, we’d argue that with an admission of JPY500, it would be folly not to visit on any day in Osaka. After you’ve been bowled over by the museum, head out to nearby Nakanoshima-koen Park to lounge in the sun and enjoy the roses.
The museum is typically closed on Mondays and over the New Year holiday period. You’ll want to check their website for any temporary closure announcements before heading out - or risk being disappointed.
English name:
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
Japanese name:
大阪市立東洋陶磁美術館
English address:
1-1-26 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, 530-0005
Japanese address:
〒530-0005 大阪市北区中之島1-1-26
Opening hours:
9:30am-5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Closed Monday, or the following Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday
Admission:
Adults: 500
College and high school students: 300
Nearest Transport:
Train: 1-minute walk from exit 1 of Naniwabashi Station on the Keihan Nakanoshima Line.
Train and Subway: 5-minute walk from exit 26 of Kitahama Station on the Keihan Main Line and Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line.
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Museum of Oriental Ceramic. Osaka on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
+81-6-6223-0055
Website:
Official Website (English)
Near To Here:
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka is located in Osaka's Kita and Umeda district. See our complete list of things to do in the Kita and Umeda district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Are These Places Located?
See these places on the Inside Osaka Google map:- Open the Osaka map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Osaka Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Osaka guide
- Check Osaka accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Osaka
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- View my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare flight prices and timings to find the best Japan flight deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help