20 Museums in Okayama worth your time

A Tadao Ando-designed museum in Okayama featuring Western-style paintings, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and Japan's oldest plant fossils.

What it is

• A combined art and natural history museum founded in 1953 to honor painter Kojima Torajiro.
• The current reinforced concrete facility was designed by architect Tadao Ando and completed in 1994.
• The museum structure is built upon the historic stone walls of the former Nariwa Jinya.
• It was renamed the Nariwa Museum in 2009 and serves as a cultural hub in Takahashi City.

What to see

• Oil paintings and sketches created by the artist Kojima Torajiro.
• A collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts acquired by Kojima during his travels.
• Japan's oldest plant fossils discovered within the local Nariwa Group geological formation.
• The Flowing Water Garden and Still Water Garden artificial ponds surrounding the building.
• Modern minimalist architecture featuring two floors of exposed reinforced concrete.

Getting there

• The museum is accessible by bus departing from Bitchu-Takahashi Station.

Official site

nariwa-museum.jp

Read more about Nariwa Museum

Japan's first public sword museum, showcasing historic Bizen blades and live smithing.

What it is

• A museum exhibiting swords in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Established in 1983 as Osafune Town Museum.
• Japan's first public museum for permanent sword exhibitions.
• Mainly exhibits Bizen swords made in Bizen Province.

What to see

• About 40 swords on permanent exhibition.
• Collection includes about 400 Bizen swords.
• The national treasure sword Yamatorige, purchased in 2020.
• A smithing area completed in 1984.
• An expanded workshop, renewed in 2004.

When to go

• Themed exhibitions are held about five times a year.

Getting there

• 10 minutes by taxi from JR Osafune Station.

Address

〒701-4271　岡山県瀬戸内市長船町長船966 Map

Official site

www.city.setouchi.lg.jp

Read more about Bizen Osafune Sword Museum

Japan's only Latin American archaeological museum, with 4,000 years of art and unique Bizen ware walls.

What it is

• A private museum, opened in 1975 as Morishita Museum.
• Renamed in 2005 to BIZEN Latin American Art Museum.
• Japan's only archaeological museum specializing in Latin America.

What to see

• About 1,000 items from ancient Latin American civilizations.
• Collection spans 4,000 years, from 2500 BC to 1500 AD.
• Over 16,000 Bizen ware ceramic panels on exterior walls.
• Art from 10 to 11 Latin American countries.

When to go

• Open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Hinase Station on the JR Ako Line.

Address

〒701-3204　岡山県備前市日生町日生241-10 Map

Official site

www.latinamerica.jp

Read more about BIZEN Latin American Art Museum

Explore a rare Meiji-era Western-style police station, now a free local museum.

What it is

• A local museum in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Built in 1910 as the Soja Police Station.
• Opened as a museum in August 1988.
• Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2006.

What to see

• The only Western-style Meiji era building in Soja City.
• A two-story wooden building with a hipped roof.
• An octagonal tower-like entrance.
• Exhibits about 1600 items.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Admission is free.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk southeast from Higashi-Soja Station.

Address

〒719-1126　岡山県総社市総社2丁目17-33 Map

Official site

www.city.soja.okayama.jp

Read more about Sōja City Machikado Local Museum

Interactive museum with European wooden toys and antique music boxes, offering daily concerts and craft classes.

What it is

• Opened in September 1995, moved to Yunogo in March 2010.
• Collects European wooden toys and antique music boxes.
• An interactive museum for all ages.

What to see

• Toy exhibition room displays 500 items.
• Music box exhibition room displays 30 items.
• Playroom and workshop are available.

When to go

• Daily toy introductions and music box concerts.
• Daily craft classes are held.
• Closed on Wednesdays and New Year holidays.

Getting there

• Accessible by Uno Bus from Hayashino Station.

Address

〒707-0062　岡山県美作市湯郷319-2 Map

Official site

toymuseum.wixsite.com

Read more about Modern Toy Museum & Music Box Hall

This museum, a renovated Edo-period dye house, showcases unique modern art and ceramics.

What it is

• A modern art museum in Kagamino-cho, Okayama Prefecture.
• Opened on April 28, 2018.
• Housed in a renovated Edo period dye house called Koya.
• Exhibits works by unique painters and modern ceramics.

What to see

• The two-story building with a thatched roof.
• A large zelkova main pillar inside the building.
• Artworks by short-lived and unfinished painters.
• Modern ceramics, including Bizen ware from Okayama Prefecture.

When to go

• During the OKUTSU Art Festival.

Address

岡山県苫田郡鏡野町奥津川西692 Map

Official site

www.kagamino-museum.com

Read more about Kagamino Modern Art Museum

Explore Okayama's history and art, including a National Treasure armor, at this prefectural museum.

What it is

• Prefectural museum for Okayama.
• Opened in August 1971.
• Founded for Okayama Prefecture's 100th anniversary.
• Collects cultural heritage from Kibi Province.

What to see

• National Treasure red leather-laced armor.
• Important Cultural Property paintings.
• Important Cultural Property swords.
• Important Cultural Property artifacts from Ohibishima ritual site.
• Digital museum.

When to go

• First floor reopened in January 2023.
• Fully reopened on April 1, 2023.

Address

岡山県岡山市北区後楽園1-5 Map

Official site

www.pref.okayama.jp

Read more about Okayama Prefectural Museum

Explore Japan's historical connection to Western knowledge at this award-winning museum.

What it is

• A museum specializing in Western learning.
• Opened on March 19, 1978.
• Designated a "Museum Equivalent Facility" in 1991.
• Designated a Tsuyama City Important Cultural Property in 1992.

What to see

• Building design based on five prominent Western scholars.
• Bronze statues of Western scholars in the front garden.
• A 'Medicinal Herb Path' and courtyard with medicinal plants.
• 18 cultural properties related to Udagawa Yoan.
• Multilingual exhibition explanations and audio guides.

Address

岡山県津山市西新町5 Map

Official site

www.tsuyama-yougaku.jp

Read more about Tsuyama Archives of Western Learning

Dedicated to Miyamoto Musashi, this museum displays his art and artifacts, offering unique insights into his life.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to Miyamoto Musashi.
• Displays works related to Miyamoto Musashi.
• Located within the Musashi no Sato Gorinbo lodging facility.

What to see

• Paintings, sculptures, and armor.
• Daruma Chosozu, an early Edo period painting.
• Hyotan Namazu Tsuba, a sword guard.
• A cheek protector made by Musashi.
• Namako Sukashi Tsuba, a sword guard.
• A kozuka (small knife) made by Musashi.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Miyamoto Musashi Station.

Official site

www.city.mimasaka.lg.jp

Read more about Musashi Museum

Explore a beautiful historic school building, now a museum, showcasing local history and culture.

What it is

• A historic building and exhibition facility.
• Originally the main building of Shizutani Private School.
• Built in 1905, designed by Saburohachi Egawa.
• Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2001.

What to see

• A wooden two-story building with a hip roof.
• Foundation uses granite.
• Seven exhibition rooms.

Getting there

• 5 minutes by taxi from JR Sanyo Line Yoshinaga Station.
• 15 minutes by car from Sanyo Expressway Bizen Interchange.

Official site

shizutani.jp

Read more about Shizutani School History Museum

Explore Bizen's history, ceramics, and local culture at this museum, a short walk from Bizen Katakami Station.

What it is

• A museum in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the history of Bizen.
• Showcases local culture and industries.

What to see

• Special exhibition room on the first floor.
• Ceramics room on the first floor.
• Literature room on the second floor.
• Folklore room on the second floor.
• Exhibits of Bizen ware and refractory bricks.
• Displays of folk, agricultural, and fishing tools.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Bizen Katakami Station.

Official site

www.city.bizen.okayama.jp

Read more about Bizen City Museum of History

Explore a preserved 1874 residence and weaving workshop, a tangible cultural property of Japan.

What it is

• Former residence of Isozaki Minki, a cultural property.
• Dedicated to Minki and Kinkan-en.
• Opened as a museum in 1988.
• Registered as a tangible cultural property in 2000.

What to see

• Two-story wooden building constructed in 1874.
• Exhibits related to Minki and Kinkan-en.
• Restored weaving machine invented by Minki.
• Hanamushiro Kobo, a rush grass hand-weaving facility.

When to go

• Closed on Mondays.
• Closed during New Year holidays.

Address

〒710-1101　岡山県倉敷市茶屋町195 Map

Official site

www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp

Read more about Isozaki Minki Memorial Museum

Explore a restored 19th-century factory museum and learn about traditional Bengara pigment production.

What it is

• A museum in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Restored in 1986 from a Bengara factory.
• Operated by the Tamura family.
• Introduces the Bengara manufacturing process.

What to see

• Displays old manufacturing tools used in the factory.
• Adjacent pottery hall exhibits ceramics.
• Ceramics include Kutani, Imari, and Kyo ware.

Getting there

• 60 minutes by Bihoku Bus from Bitchu-Takahashi Station.
• 10 minutes walk from the bus stop.

Read more about Bengara Factory Museum

Okayama City Museum: modern museum with local history, next to the station, worth a quick visit.

What it is

• A municipal museum in Okayama City.
• Opened in 2005 as Okayama Digital Museum.
• Renamed Okayama City Museum in 2012.

What to see

• Special exhibition room on the 4th floor.
• Okayama Air Raid exhibition room on the 5th floor.
• Permanent exhibitions are available.
• Special exhibitions vary in content.

Getting there

• Located at the west exit of Okayama Station.
• A short walk from JR Okayama Station.
• Inside the Rit City Building.

Address

岡山県岡山市北区駅元町15-1 Map

Official site

www.city.okayama.jp

Read more about Okayama City Museum

This museum, now closed, showcased contemporary art and works by Living National Treasures.

What it is

• A museum in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Opened in June 2017.
• Co-located with the Fujiwara Kei Memorial Hall.
• Indefinitely closed since September 10, 2023.

What to see

• Works by Living National Treasures.
• Art Olympia award-winning works in the North Building.
• Contemporary art by Takashi Murakami in the L Building.
• Works by Fujiwara Kei at the Memorial Hall.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Bizen Katakami Station.

Official site

fanmuseum.jp

Read more about FAN Museum

Explore a salt baron's historic estate, now a museum, showcasing Edo-period architecture and industry.

What it is

• A residence and museum in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Built by Nozakibusaemon in the late Edo period.
• Managed by Ryuo Kaikan Public Interest Incorporated Foundation.
• Designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2006.

What to see

• Many buildings are important cultural properties.
• The main house was completed in 1833.
• Nagayamon and Onarimon gates were completed in 1838.
• The entrance building and front study were completed in 1852.

Address

〒711-0913　岡山県倉敷市児島味野1-11-19 Map

Official site

www.nozakike.or.jp

Read more about Nozaki Family Salt Industry History Museum

Explore Okayama's natural history, from local flora to global meteorites, in a historic building.

What it is

• A natural history museum in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.
• Opened on November 3, 1983.
• Manages and exhibits natural history materials.
• Originally the former Kurashiki City Water Bureau office.

What to see

• Three floors with four permanent and one special exhibition room.
• Exhibits of flora and fauna of Okayama Prefecture.
• Displays of insects, fossils, and meteorites from around the world.
• Over 1.1 million primary and secondary materials.

Address

〒710-0046　岡山県倉敷市中央2-6-1 Map

Official site

www2.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp

Read more about Kurashiki Museum of Natural History

Explore the birthplace of a former Prime Minister and a traditional Edo period farmhouse.

What it is

• A museum commemorating Inukai Tsuyoshi, 29th Prime Minister.
• Opened in October 1993.
• Next to the Old Inukai Family Residence.
• The residence is Inukai Tsuyoshi's birthplace.

What to see

• Museum displays statues, relics, and letters.
• Old Inukai Family Residence, an Edo period farmhouse.
• Residence built between 1711 and 1715.
• Residence is a National Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Address

〒701-0161　岡山県岡山市北区川入102-1 Map

Official site

www.maroon.dti.ne.jp

Read more about Inukai Bokudō Memorial Museum

World's only horseshoe crab museum, with live exhibits and dinosaur models, worth a visit for unique displays.

What it is

• A museum in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture.
• The world's only horseshoe crab themed museum.
• Opened in March 1990.
• Kasaoka City operates the museum.

What to see

• Building shaped like a horseshoe crab from above.
• Life-sized dinosaur and ancient creature models in the park.
• A roaring Baryonyx life-sized model inside.
• Horseshoe crab trace fossils.
• A live nautilus exhibit.
• Mascot characters Kabuni-kun and Kabumi-chan.

Address

〒714-0043　岡山県笠岡市横島1946-2 Map

Official site

www.city.kasaoka.okayama.jp

Read more about Kasaoka Horseshoe Crab Museum

Explore Japan's railway history in a historic roundhouse, featuring locomotives and railway artifacts.

What it is

• A museum exhibiting railway-related items.
• Opened on April 2, 2016.
• Renovated the former Tsuyama Roundhouse.
• The roundhouse was built in 1936.

What to see

• The historic roundhouse, 22.1 meters deep with 17 lines.
• Japan's second largest roundhouse.
• A Modernization Industrial Heritage site.
• A Japanese Modern Civil Engineering Heritage site.
• A turntable and various rooms.
• A C57 steam locomotive wheel and D51 whistle.

Address

〒708-0882　岡山県津山市大谷 Map

Official site

www.tsuyamakan.jp

Read more about Tsuyama Railroad Educational Museum