The Japan folk crafts museum, Osaka

Opened by inheriting the spirit and structure of the "Japan Folk Crafts Pavilion" from the 1970 Osaka Expo, this museum was established to celebrate the theme of "Beauty in Everyday Life," showcasing the practical beauty found in traditional crafts nurtured through daily living.

The museum houses valuable works by key figures of the Mingei (folk craft) movement, including founding director Shoji Hamada, along with Kanjiro Kawai, Keisuke Serizawa, and Shiko Munakata. In addition, it exhibits a wide range of crafts from Japan and around the world, such as ceramics, textiles, wood and lacquerware, and woven goods.

The building itself is distinctive—modern in its overall impression while incorporating elements of traditional Japanese architecture, a nod to its origins as an Expo pavilion. The gallery spaces are designed in a corridor-style layout, allowing visitors to move fluidly through the first to the fourth exhibition rooms and enjoy the artwork at a leisurely pace.

Special exhibitions are held each spring and autumn, changing the themes and displays, so there’s always something new to discover with every visit. At the adjacent museum shop, visitors can purchase ceramics, textiles, and Mingei-related books.

Situated within Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, and adjacent to the Japanese Garden and Natural and Cultural Gardens, the museum offers a serene environment where visitors can experience the beauty of both nature and craftsmanship.