Unko Museum

Unique architecture  
Unko Museum

The Unko Museum (うんこミュージアム), often translated as the “Poop Museum,” is not a traditional museum in the conventional sense. It’s an entertainment facility designed to turn the typically taboo subject of “poop” into a vibrant, fun, and “kawaii” (cute) experience. It aims to challenge perceptions and provide a unique, interactive, and highly photogenic adventure.

It first opened as a pop-up in Yokohama in 2019 and, due to immense popularity, found a permanent home in Tokyo, and has also had locations in other cities like Nagoya and Fukuoka.

Address (Current Tokyo Location):
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza 2F, 1-1-10 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
It’s located within the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza shopping mall in the Odaiba area, accessible from Daiba Station (Yurikamome Line) or Tokyo Teleport Station (Rinkai Line).

Outstanding Features:

  • “MAX Unko Kawaii” Concept: The museum’s core philosophy is to make poop as “maximum cute” as possible. You won’t find anything gross; instead, everything is brightly colored, sparkling, and designed to be adorable and humorous.
  • Highly Photogenic Zones (“Unstagenic”): The museum is a paradise for social media enthusiasts. It features numerous visually striking installations and backdrops perfect for unique photos, including:
    • Giant Poop Volcano: A central, erupting volcano that spews colorful “poop” sculptures.
    • Sparkly Poop Art: Walls and rooms filled with glittering, often pastel-colored, poop-shaped decorations.
    • Neon Signs: Quirky neon signs featuring the word “unko” in various languages.
    • Poop Ball Pit: A vibrant ball pit filled with colorful, poop-shaped balls.
    • Unberto’s Room: A dark room filled with glowing, hanging poop lights.
  • Interactive and Playful Experiences (“Unteractive”): The museum encourages direct interaction with its exhibits:
    • My Poop Maker: At the entrance, visitors sit on a stylized toilet, pretend to “poop,” and a colorful, unique “poop buddy” made of soft plastic magically appears on a stick, which they can carry throughout the museum.
    • Shout “UNKO!”: A microphone where visitors can yell “UNKO” as loud as they can, and a projection of poop grows larger corresponding to the volume of their shout.
    • Crappy Game Corner: A section with various poop-themed arcade games and challenges, like stepping on projected poop images or throwing poop-shaped objects.
    • Poop Painting: A creative area where guests can draw their own poop-themed masterpieces on toilet-shaped canvases.
  • Educational Insights (“Untelligence”): While primarily entertainment, there’s a small section that provides surprising facts and art related to poop, offering a lighthearted way to break down taboos and learn. This includes “Poop Animals,” which are cute, stylized representations of various animal droppings.
  • The “Unko Factory” Gift Store: The experience concludes with a gift shop offering a wide array of bizarre and amusing poop-themed merchandise, from snacks to stationery, allowing visitors to take a piece of the “kawaii poop” world home.

Comparison with Similar Locations:

The Unko Museum is a prime example of Japan’s unique “kawaii” culture applied to an unconventional theme, making it stand out from typical museums:

  • Beyond Conventional Museums: Unlike traditional museums (e.g., historical, art, science museums) that focus on education or preservation, the Unko Museum prioritizes entertainment, humor, and providing a highly Instagrammable experience. It’s more akin to an interactive art installation or an indoor amusement space.
  • Quirkiness and Niche Theme: While there are other quirky museums globally (e.g., The Museum of Ice Cream, Museum of Pizza, or the Museum of Broken Relationships), the Unko Museum’s specific focus on “cute poop” is exceptionally niche and uniquely Japanese in its approach to turning a taboo subject into something adorable and celebratory.
  • Interactive and Immersive Play: Its high level of direct interactivity and immersive, colorful environments sets it apart from many passive museum experiences. Visitors are encouraged to touch, play, scream, and pose, making them active participants in the “art.”
  • Contrast to Science/Hygiene Exhibits: While some science centers or health museums might have exhibits on digestion or waste, they approach the topic from a purely educational and scientific standpoint. The Unko Museum, conversely, uses humor and cuteness to destigmatize and playfully explore the subject.
  • Pure Entertainment Focus: Unlike attractions that blend educational content with entertainment (e.g., some children’s museums or science centers), the Unko Museum’s primary goal is unadulterated fun and surprise, making it ideal for those seeking an offbeat and lighthearted experience.

The Unko Museum is a truly unique and memorable destination for those looking for something wonderfully weird, colorful, and fun during their visit to Japan, particularly in Tokyo.