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Museum for East-Asian Art

In 1913, Europe's first museum dedicated to East Asian art opened in Cologne. The only independent museum of East Asian art in Germany, it houses one of Europe's most important collections of paintings, calligraphy, prints, ceramics, porcelain, bronze, lacquerware, textiles, Buddhist wooden sculptures, and classical furniture from China, Korea, and Japan.

Vor einem flachen Bungalow erstreckt sich eine Terrasse mit Sonnenschirnen und ein Gartenteich
Foto: Alexandra Malinka

About the museum

Cologne is home to the oldest museum of East Asian art in Europe and the only one in Germany. Opened in 1913, the museum displays works of art from China, Korea, and Japan. Visitors can admire Buddhist paintings and wooden sculptures, calligraphy, prints and folding screen paintings, bronze, lacquer art, ceramics, and porcelain from the Neolithic period to the present day.

Not only the art, but also the new museum building, which opened in 1977, is unique. It was designed by Kunio Maekawa (1905–1986), a student of Le Corbusier. With its austere, clearly structured cubes, it draws on ancient Japanese traditions while developing a new, modern design language. The architectural center and heart of the complex is the landscape garden designed by sculptor Masayuki Nagare (1923–2018) in the style of Japanese meditation gardens. In 2025, the garden was extensively renovated in collaboration with master gardener Hugo Torii and GartenLandschaft Berg & Co GmbH. 

Logo of the Museum of East-Asian Art

All further information can be found on the website of the Museum of East Asian Art.

To the website

Impressions from the museum

In front of a flat bungalow extends a terrace with umbrellas and a garden pond

Photo: Alexandra Malinka

Interior view of the Museum for East-Asian Art

Photo: Alexandra Malinka

Interior view of the Museum for East-Asian Art

Photo: Alexandra Malinka

Visit information

0221 221 -28608
mok@stadt-koeln.de
 

Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Open on public holidays as on Sundays

Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day

Adults 9,50 €
Concessions 5,50 €

Free admission to the collection for Cologne children up to the age of 18, all schoolchildren (including 2 accompanying adults per school class), ColognePass holders, birthday children residing in Cologne on their birthday

Severely disabled persons pay 50% of the regular admission price. One accompanying person receives free admission if the letter B is noted on the disability card. The severely disabled card must be presented at the museum ticket office to grant reduced admission."

Universitätsstraße 100
50674 Köln

Website: www.mok.koeln
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MuseumfuerOstasiatischeKunst/

Directions & Transportation
Public transport
Bus, streetcar: "Universitätsstraße

Parking
Parking lot at the museum

Museum store
Extensive range of literature on East Asian art, philosophy and life culture, handicraft items, articles on the respective exhibition
+49 221 221-28617

Sponsoring association
Fördererkreis des Museums für Ostasiatische Kunst e.V.
https://museum-fuer-ostasiatische-kunst.de/Foerdererkreis

The foyer is accessible via an elevator. The exhibition area is at ground level.

Accessible restroom available

Accessible parking available

2 wheelchairs available for use 

Exhibitions at the Museum for East-Asian Art

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