In Japan, a new pop-up style museum has opened, and its theme is surprising to many—it’s all about poop.
The Unko Museum, located in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, about 40 km (25 miles) south of Tokyo, claims to be the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to poop. A representative of the Unko Museum told CNN: “We believe this is the first museum in the world with a theme focused on poop. Of course, everything here is just playful models and displays—there’s no real poop in the museum. It’s designed in a colorful, pop-art style that is cute and entertaining.”
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The Unko Museum officially opened in August 2019. Visitors can sit on brightly colored fake toilets, explore playful art installations inspired by human bowel movements, or take Instagram-worthy photos with poop-shaped icons. There’s even a giant ball pit filled with plush poop toys and colorful models for visitors to enjoy.
In its first week alone, nearly 10,000 people visited the museum, quickly turning it into one of Japan’s newest tourist attractions. Guests can even learn how to say “poop” in different languages during their visit.
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Tickets cost ¥1,760 for adults (around $18) and ¥990 for children (around $11).
Pop-up museums with strong social media appeal have become a global trend in recent years. Sweden launched the Disgusting Food Museum in 2018, and now Japan has taken it a step further with its very own playful and quirky poop museum.
Whether you find it quirky, funny, or simply unusual, the Unko Museum in Yokohama is a place that blends humor with creativity in a way only Japan could. For travelers looking to experience something beyond traditional museums, it offers a lighthearted and memorable stop. While it may not be for everyone, it certainly adds to the diversity of Japan’s cultural attractions, giving visitors a unique story to take home from their journey.
