Encountering the Private Collection of a Financial Conglomerate in Osaka: Fujita Art Museum

On the second day in Osaka, I headed straight to the Fujita Art Museum. It felt like I had entered the private garden of an old-money family, not to rob them, but to visit their private museum. This place is the ancestral property of a financial conglomerate family, and many of the exhibits have even been auctioned at Christie's. Indeed, wealth allows for such indulgence, even collecting artifacts for personal enjoyment. I took a bus and subway to get there, and using the 'Annai Transfer' was very convenient. After getting off at the station and following the landmarks, you will first see an open parking lot. Turn left, and you will find the main entrance of the museum. There is also a side entrance along the way that leads directly into the garden without a ticket. I recommend visiting the museum first and then exploring the garden, as the atmosphere is incredibly serene. Upon entering through the main entrance, staff members greet you. It seems like the entire museum is run by five or six people, handling ticket sales and preparing refreshments. If there were more visitors, they might be a bit overwhelmed, but their attitude is very friendly. To the left of the entrance is a tatami rest area, to the right is the refreshment area, and in the middle is the entrance to the exhibition hall. The layout is small but cozy. Although the collection is not extensive, it is very well preserved. Many exhibits are Tang Dynasty scrolls and tea utensils from the Tang Dynasty, and there is a whole section of paintings and crafts passed down from the Edo to Heian periods. If you look closely, you can finish the tour in half an hour. If you add a tea break, the entire visit will take about an hour and a half. The matcha in the tea room is served with two skewers of freshly grilled mochi, and I particularly enjoyed the sweet one. The tea is measured precisely, with no extra given, which is very Japanese but also quite fair. A cup of tea with mochi costs about HKD 26, and the entrance fee is around HKD 52. However, the most delightful surprise is the Japanese garden outside. Although it is free, it is meticulously maintained. You can walk on the artificial hills, small bridges, and paths, and there are pavilions where you can sit and rest. When I visited, it was not yet autumn, but the maple leaf season in late September to October should be enchanting. Tip: Many places in Japan require you to take off your shoes, and the Fujita Art Museum is no exception. So, I recommend wearing shoes that are easy to take off and put on, and remember to wear socks. Otherwise, leaving sweaty footprints on the tatami can be a bit embarrassing... Address: 10-32, Nojima-cho, Miyakojima-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu If you enjoy quiet and elegant cultural spaces, want to see genuine antique artworks, and avoid the tourist crowds, the Fujita Art Museum is definitely worth a visit.