The Manekineko Museum of Art is a specialized art museum that has collected cat figurines that bring good luck. It is a participatory spot where you can not only appreciate the exhibits, but also write your wishes and enjoy painting the statues. We will introduce the highlights, a report on the experience, and information on prices and access.
2025.02.25-
Table of Contents
- What is the Manekineko Museum of Art?
- Must-see spot #1: New spot "Cat showing its face" and Kitchomon Gate
- Highlight 2: Your wishes will come true! "Wishing Lucky Longevity Alley"
- Highlight 3: The impressive collection of beckoning cats in the "Hyakufuku Room"
- Highlight 4: Works by famous artists on display
- Highlight ⑤: New attractions appearing one after another!
- Painting experience at the annex "LUCKY CATS HOUSE"
- Painting experience report
- Completed
- LibraryYamaneko Bunko
- Museum Shop
- The lovely smiling director, Mr. Mushiaki
- Basic information, opening hours and fees
- access
- Conclusion: Bring good fortune to your home at the Manekineko Museum of Art!
What is the Manekineko Museum of Art?
The Manekineko Museum of Art in Okayama City is the first museum in Japan dedicated to maneki neko (cat figurines that bring good luck). The museum was built in a 100-year-old kominka (traditional Japanese house) and is a space that combines a traditional Japanese atmosphere with modern design. There are about 800 maneki neko on permanent display, ranging from maneki neko from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to original maneki neko. Photography is permitted inside the museum.
Must-see spot #1: New spot "Cat showing its face" and Kitchomon Gate
If you go left from the parking lot, you will find the path to the main museum building, where you can complete the admission procedures and register for the painting experience.
The yellow face-out panel in front of the stairs, "Face-out Cat," is a new attraction that was introduced just three months ago, and is perfect for taking commemorative photos. You may also be lucky if you pass through the red "Kicchomon" (auspicious gate). Be sure to check out the decoration at the top of the gate, which looks like a cat taking a stroll.
Highlight 2: Your wishes will come true! "Wishing Lucky Longevity Alley"
After entering the museum, turn right at the end of the street and you'll come to Fukuju Yokocho, an important attraction. The large maneki-neko cat here is the original character of the Manekineko Museum of Art. Each maneki-neko's color has a meaning; white is said to bring good luck, while black is said to ward off evil. It is also said that a maneki-neko with its right paw raised "brings money," one with its left paw raised "brings people," and one with both hands raised "brings good luck." A "negai-fuda" (a small wooden board) with a wish written on it is hung next to the white cat.
Lots of wish cards!
Hanging next to the black maneki-neko are many "kanoi-fuda" (paper charms) on which people whose wishes have been granted have written their wishes with gratitude. Apparently, many people return to the shrine as proof that their various wishes have been granted. This is a heartwarming spot where many happy wishes gather.
Highlight 3: The impressive collection of beckoning cats in the "Hyakufuku Room"
In the "Hyakufuku Room" on the second floor, you can see an impressive collection of beckoning cats. A variety of unique beckoning cats are on display, centered around the large beckoning cat "Kinpuku." This floor also displays traditional beckoning cats from all over Japan, as well as beckoning cats made overseas. There are also beckoning cats made from Kume clay dolls, a traditional craft of Okayama. Have a look around and you may find a beckoning cat from your area.
Good things will happen! The rumored beckoning cat!
On this floor, there is also a maneki-neko (beckoning cat) that is said to bring you good luck if you take a photo in the same pose as the cat. Please try taking a photo in the same pose as the cat.
Highlight 4: Works by famous artists on display
The Manekineko Museum of Art not only displays traditional maneki neko, but also many artworks by famous artists. Among the artworks on display are works by Mizumaru Anzai (a famous illustrator). Mizumaru Anzai is also known for his cover illustrations for works by Haruki Murakami (an internationally famous Japanese author) and for the children's picture book "Gatangoton."
Highlight ⑤: New attractions appearing one after another!
The most surprising feature is the 7.5 meter tall "cat tree." This tree is pruned once a year (cutting off branches to shape it) and had just been pruned at the end of January when we visited. In addition to the cat tree, there are many other trees carefully maintained within the building, so you can enjoy nature.
Another highlight is the "LUCKYGATE" that opened in 2023. The convex mirror (a safety mirror installed at corners) is shaped like a cat's face, which is also useful when exiting a parking lot. The small yellow gate is for children. As new attractions are added regularly, this is a museum that you will want to visit again and again.
Painting experience at the annex "LUCKY CATS HOUSE"
If you leave the main building and go to the left, you will find the annex "LUCKY CATS HOUSE." Here, you can experience painting your own original maneki-neko (beckoning cat). It's a very fun experience, so I recommend it.
There is a gate with cat ears at the entrance to LUCKY CATS HOUSE. There are beckoning cats and cat motifs all over the museum grounds, and discovering them is part of the fun.
Painting experience report
In the painting experience, you can first choose your favorite from three types of unglazed white beckoning cats (pottery that has not yet been painted). There are three types: one with both hands raised, one with one hand raised, and a round cat. Each has a meaning, so you can choose one that matches the wish you want to come true, or one that matches the interior of your home.
Once you have chosen a lucky cat, you will be provided with a paper palette, a notepad, a bucket of water, paintbrushes, paints, etc. Think about what kind of lucky cat you want to make and write down your ideas on the notepad.
Once you have decided on the image, sketch it out in pencil and then start coloring. The trick is to start by painting large areas and using light colors. Many of you may not have picked up a paintbrush since you were a student. At first, you start painting carefully, but as you continue working, you will want to try various things. This time of concentration is a lot of fun!
Completed
Once completed, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. You can then take a commemorative photo of your completed beckoning cat on the red carpet with the other beckoning cats in the background.
The production time was about one hour. According to the museum staff, some people make their sculpture in a short time, while others take their time. There is no time limit, but if you want to make something with a particular focus, it's a good idea to have an idea of what you want in mind beforehand.
LibraryYamaneko Bunko
In the room next to the painting experience space, "Library Yamaneko Bunko," many cat picture books are on display, which you can pick up and read. They can also be used as reference when thinking about the design of the beckoning cat. Also, don't miss the corner where the curators (specialized staff of the museum) display books about cats that they have found on their travels.
Museum Shop
The museum shop is located in the main building. The director's recommended item is the "Lucky Lucky Cat" (the original character of the Manekineko Museum of Art), with its cute round eyes and sparkling pearls, making it a special item that can't be found anywhere else. You can also purchase cookies, coffee, the Manekineko Museum of Art's goshuin (a stamp commemorating a visit to a temple or shrine), and products from the nearby Kinzanji Temple.
The lovely smiling director, Mr. Mushiaki
This time, we spoke with museum director Osamu Mushiaki. As there are many repeat visitors, he manages the museum with creative ideas to make every visit a new discovery and a moving one. "We hope that everyone will come to the Manekineko Museum of Art, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, not only to appreciate the exhibits but also to try painting them, and take home some good fortune," he said. Both the director and the curators greeted us with lovely smiles, and it was a museum that made us feel happy.
Basic information, opening hours and fees
[Manekineko Museum of Art]
Address: 865-1 Kinzanji, Kita-ku , Okayama City, Okayama Kita Ward
Phone number: 086-228-3301
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30)
Closed: None
Admission fee: 600 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Maneki-neko painting experience: 1,700 yen.
access
We recommend coming by car as we have a large parking lot. If you are using public transportation, please take a taxi from the nearest bus stop or station.
Access (car): Approximately 20 minutes from Sanyo Expressway Sanyo IC or Okayama IC
Access (public): Take the bus bound for Neopolis from JR Okayama Station for about 20 minutes, get off at "Kanayamaguchi", then take a taxi for about 10 minutes, or take a taxi for about 9 minutes from JR Bizenhara Station
Parking: 30 spaces for regular cars, 3 spaces for large cars
Conclusion: Bring good fortune to your home at the Manekineko Museum of Art!
What did you think? This was an introduction to the Manekineko Museum of Art. We highly recommend the painting experience, as it will give you a sense of accomplishment and happiness. And there are many more charming maneki-neko waiting for you that we were unable to introduce in this article. Be sure to visit and take some good fortune home with you.
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.