Museum of the Orient

Odd location, but the Museum Book Festival gave me the perfect reason to finally visit. I 1st went for 'Leafing through Japan' themed guided tour which was better than i antecipated. A well-paced guided tour. It was excellent. I went back for the Japan: Festivities and Rites guided tour, but It was different. Different guide, more centered on religion. It felt rushed compared to the other one.

A wonderful museum in Lisbon located in the port area. The knowledge presented there is accessible yet delivered in a professional manner. Two temporary exhibitions made a strong impression on me. One was about a photography studio in Goa. Since it was a Portuguese colony, it’s always interesting to see how a country deals with such parts of its history. The narrative was excellent and conveyed these complex events very well. It’s certainly an educational value that museums should have. The second exhibition, about Japanese spirituality, is a brilliant introduction to this very complex subject. I highly recommend visiting this museum — it’s a wonderful way to deepen one’s understanding of the world and the history of Portugal.

Museu do Oriente - Where Earth Gods Whisper and Japanese Festivals Dance Tucked along the Doca de Alcântara Norte, the Museu do Oriente is one of those places that feels like stepping into a quiet reverie - a space of ritual, rhythm, and reflection. We came specifically to catch the temporary exhibition JAPAN: Festivals and Rituals, and it did not disappoint. From vibrant masks to ceremonial garments, it was a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual heartbeat of Japan, where every object seemed to hum with centuries of meaning. But the real surprise? The Earth Gods Velar Sculpture exhibition - a collection so awe-inspiring it made us pause mid-step. These sculptures don’t just sit in the room - they command it. You can feel the dedication, reverence, and raw craftsmanship in every curve and texture. It’s the kind of art that doesn’t ask for attention - it earns it. While the museum houses several permanent exhibitions, our visit was laser-focused on these two. Entry gives you access to everything, but we were on a mission of meaning, and we found it. Verdict: Museu do Oriente is a temple of quiet power, where ritual meets artistry, and where you can wander through spiritual landscapes without leaving Lisbon. Highly recommended for culture seekers, sculpture lovers, and anyone who believes that art should move you - even if it’s carved from stone.

Fascinating museum which illustrates Portugal's historic connections and colonies within the far east. Lovely cafe/restaurant with a view of river at top level.

Museu do Oriente Type: museum Time spent: 40-60 min Price: 10 EUR, Friday 18-20 - free Parking: available, small Bike parking: not available WC: available Path for disabled: elevator 3 floors exhibition of Asian culture and Portuguese discoveries (Japan, China, India). It includes audio and video materials (English/ Portuguese).

I hugely regret not setting aside a day for this! I had to go somewhere else by a certain time so had to rush through but there is so much to see! I really wish I'd had more time to look at everything properly. Absolutely worth the price, if I could I'd go again.

The museum is a good size in that there’s a good bit to see but you won’t be there all day! The collection is quite impressive. I went on a weekday and it was almost completely empty!

Nice museum, quite large and focusing mostly on Portuguese influence in Asia.

So much history. You can learn so much about Asian history especially Japanese. Costumes traditions paintings spiritual beliefs. It's very well done and they have a restaurant on the 5th floor. It's not closed even though it looks like it is.

This was a very interesting museum. I did not expect to see this in Portugal. There was a special fan exhibit going on while we were there that was fascinating. Overall, not a bad museum.