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National Museum of Ethnology

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National Museum of Ethnology

One of the world’s largest ethnology museums, housing an extensive collection of approximately 345,000 items from cultures around the globe.

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Supervised by :  National Museum of Ethnology

National Museum of Ethnology is one of the world’s largest ethnology museums, dedicated to research in cultural anthropology and ethnology. Its vast collection includes approximately 345,000 items, such as everyday tools and traditional costumes gathered from cultures around the globe.

The museum’s permanent regional exhibitions are divided into nine areas-Oceania, the Americas, Europe, Africa, West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central & North Asia, and East Asia. The layout is designed as an eastward journey around the world, beginning in Oceania, offering visitors an engaging, globe-spanning experience.

In addition, the cross-cultural exhibitions explore themes that transcend regions. Through displays of instruments like drums, gongs, and charumera horns, as well as murals and replicas of inscribed stone texts, these galleries invite visitors to reflect on the relationships between music, language, and human society.

Special exhibitions are held in spring and autumn, along with several thematic exhibitions each year, showcasing the latest research findings. The museum offers a compelling “journey around the world,” deepening understanding of cultural diversity through an immersive, museum-based experience.

Highlights

  • One of the world’s largest ethnology museums, dedicated to research in cultural anthropology and ethnology.
  • Houses approximately 345,000 items, including everyday tools and traditional costumes collected from around the world.
  • Comprises regional exhibitions divided into nine world areas, along with cross-cultural exhibitions focused on themes such as music and language.
  • Hosts special exhibitions in spring and autumn, as well as several thematic exhibitions each year.

Photos

  • The Oceania exhibition introduces island and maritime lifestyles shaped by the sea.

    The Oceania exhibition introduces island and maritime lifestyles shaped by the sea.

  • The Europe exhibition features displays such as Romania’s cheerful cemetery and traditional folk costumes.

    The Europe exhibition features displays such as Romania’s cheerful cemetery and traditional folk costumes.

  • The Southeast Asia exhibition presents ethnic cultures through the theme of “a day in Southeast Asia.”

    The Southeast Asia exhibition presents ethnic cultures through the theme of “a day in Southeast Asia.”

  • In the East Asia exhibition, the China gallery stands out with its colorful traditional costumes.

    In the East Asia exhibition, the China gallery stands out with its colorful traditional costumes.

  • The Japan gallery within the East Asia exhibition explores Japanese culture from multiple perspectives, including festivals and performing arts.

    The Japan gallery within the East Asia exhibition explores Japanese culture from multiple perspectives, including festivals and performing arts.

  • At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by an impressive totem pole.

    At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by an impressive totem pole.

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)
A

English, Chinese, Korean pamphlets and English signs available.

Q

Is free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A

No free Wi-Fi available.

Q

Are coin lockers available?
A

Yes.

Q

Are there restrooms available?
A

Yes, there are.

Q

Is it possible to re-enter the premises?
A

Yes, it is.

Reviews

1

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • Kevin Huang
    See More

    This place is one of the largest spots in the world focused on cultural anthropology and ethnology~

Details

Name in Japanese
国立民族学博物館
Postal Code
565-8511
Address
10-1 Senri Banpaku Koen, Suita City, Osaka
Telephone
06-6876-2151
Closed
Wednesdays（If it is a national holiday, the next day is closed）, New Year’s holiday period.（December 28 to January 4）
Business Hours
10:00am - 5:00pm（Admission allowed until 4:30pm）
Admission
Adults 780yen, University students 340yen, Free for high school students and younger ※Special exhibitions charge different fees
Access
About 15 minutes walk from Osaka Monorail Bampaku-kinenkoen Station
Credit Cards
Accepted
Official Website
Official Website
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