Unko Museum is a pop-up exhibition that celebrates the Japanese phenomenon of kawaii poop, or cute poop. The exhibition features colourful and playful installations, games, and activities that explore the theme of poop in a fun and educational way. Unko Museum is designed to appeal to people of all ages, especially children and families, who can enjoy the interactive and immersive elements of the exhibit.
Unko Museum originated in Japan, where it has been a huge success, attracting millions of visitors across Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka. The exhibition has also expanded to Shanghai, China, and now to Melbourne, Australia, where it opened on January 17 at 360 Bourke Street. Unko Museum is part of the Riyadh Season, a festival organised by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, which aims to showcase the kingdom’s entertainment and tourism potential.
Why is Poop Kawaii?
Kawaii is a Japanese word that means cute, adorable, or lovable. It is a cultural phenomenon that pervades many aspects of Japanese society, from fashion and art to food and entertainment. Kawaii can be applied to anything, even things that are normally considered dirty, ugly, or unpleasant, such as poop.
Poop became kawaii in Japan thanks to the influence of manga and anime, which often featured anthropomorphic and humorous depictions of poop. One of the most famous examples is Dr. Slump, a manga series by Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball, which introduced a character named Unchi-kun, a living poop with a face and arms. Unchi-kun became a popular and iconic character, inspiring many other poop-related characters and products.
Poop is also kawaii because it is a universal and relatable topic, that can be used to convey various emotions and messages. Poop can be funny, gross, embarrassing, or even lucky, depending on the context and the culture. Poop can also be educational, as it can teach people about their health, diet, and environment.
What Can You Do at Unko Museum?
Unko Museum offers a variety of experiences and attractions that are based on the concept of kawaii poop. Some of the highlights include:
- The Unstagenic Area, where visitors can take photos with giant poop sculptures, a poop-themed tea party, and a poop supermarket.
- The Unko Factory, where visitors can create their own poop-shaped souvenirs, such as keychains, magnets, and stickers.
- The Crappy Game Corner, where visitors can play retro-style games, such as Whac-A-Mole, Pinball, and Tetris, with a poop twist.
- The Unko Shower, where visitors can dance under a rain of colorful poop confetti.
- The Unko Tunnel, where visitors can walk through a dark and mysterious corridor filled with glowing poop.
- The Unko Wall, where visitors can leave their messages and drawings on a giant wall covered with poop stickers.
Unko Museum also features a gift shop, where visitors can buy various poop-related merchandise, such as plushies, t-shirts, mugs, and books. The exhibition also has a website, a blog, and social media platforms, where visitors can find more information and resources on poop and kawaii culture.
