Eastern Artistic Treasure: Fujita Art Museum in Osaka

Nestled in the Miyakojima district of Osaka, the Fujita Art Museum is a poetic artistic haven in the Kansai region. Founded by the Fujita family, a prominent financial dynasty from the Meiji era, this private museum may only feature three exhibition halls (showcasing 30-50 exquisite pieces at a time), but it houses an impressive collection of nine Japanese National Treasures and 53 Important Cultural Properties. Among its treasures are rare masterpieces like the Southern Song Dynasty's Yohen Tenmoku tea bowl (one of only three surviving examples worldwide) and Su Shi's "Bamboo Painting." The building itself is a work of art—repurposed from the Fujita family's warehouse, it combines glass and white walls with a traditional Japanese garden. Light filters through paper-screened windows, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The tea rooms, "Kōsetsu-an" and the shaded tea house, further enhance the Zen-inspired space. This July, the themed exhibition revolves around "Sake," "Rain," and "Birds," offering fresh surprises with each rotation of exhibits. With an admission fee of just 1,000 yen, visitors can immerse themselves in millennial Eastern aesthetics, making it a cultural destination well worth exploring outside of Kyoto!