Museum of Folkcraft

The Museum of Folkcraft (倉敷民藝館, Kurashiki Mingeikan) is a remarkable destination for travelers interested in traditional Japanese design and everyday life. Opened in 1948, it was the second folkcraft museum established in Japan and the first museum in Kurashiki to be housed in a repurposed kura (storehouse), setting the tone for the town’s now-famous preservation style. The museum was founded as part of the Mingei (folk art) movement, which sought to honor the beauty of everyday objects created by anonymous artisans. The building itself—an elegant white-walled storehouse with a black-tiled roof—enhances the experience, embodying the harmony between form and function that defines folkcraft.

Inside, visitors can explore a thoughtfully curated collection of handcrafted objects gathered from across Japan, including indigo-dyed textiles, rustic ceramics, lacquerware, woodwork, baskets, and hand-forged metal tools. Each piece offers insight into the materials, regional techniques, and aesthetic values that shaped daily life before the rise of industrial manufacturing. Informative labels and displays highlight how practicality and beauty coexist in these humble objects, many of which are still in use today. The museum’s quiet, intimate layout encourages visitors to slow down and appreciate the cultural significance of items once considered ordinary—now preserved as part of Japan’s living heritage.