Visit HYOGO

Momoi Museum, standing on the high ground of Ako Misaki, is the ideal location to see sweeping views of the Seto Inland Sea. Here, you can learn about the history and techniques of Unkayaki, a so-called “phantom pottery.”
Unkayaki is a type of pottery that was produced in Ako from the late Edo period (1603–1868) to the early Meiji period (1868–1912). It is characterized by a unique technique that creates color through smoke and flames without using glaze, and its beautiful gradation is said to resemble the sunset over the Seto Inland Sea.

The museum exhibits various pieces of unkayaki, including tea utensils and tableware, and you can enjoy the differences between each of them as you observe them with care. We also recommend the pottery experience, where you can handbuild unkayaki pottery yourself! The finished pieces will be sent to you around 1–2 months later, making the excitement last even after your trip is over.

If you take a walk in the garden, make sure you see the suikinkutsu, a type of garden ornament and musical device that uses water droplets to make clear sounds like a koto (a type of stringed instrument), and the 5-meter-high wooden “angel swing.” There are around 10 types of suikinkutsu, and you can enjoy the different sounds made by each of them. After your walk, take a break in the cafe space, where you’ll be served green tea or coffee in unkayaki tableware.