Museums and galleries in Kyoto

Museums and galleries in Kyoto

1. 
   SeeMuseumHigashiyama

   Kyoto National Museum

   京都国立博物館 Kyoto Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan

   It is near Sanjusangen-do, and has a large collection of ancient Japanese sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, painting, and other artifacts. (It's quite similar to the Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo/Ueno.) The Museum building is fairly grand, but the statue of Rodin's The Thinker out front is a bit out of place, as there's no Western art inside. It's seven minutes east of Shichijo Keihan.

   Tue-Sun 09:30-18:00·Admission ¥500 (¥1500 during a special exhibition period) · Wi-Fi · Heritage listed · Wheelchair accessible
2. 
   SeeRuinsCentral

   Nijō Castle

   二条城 nijō-jō

   Certainly one of the highlights of Kyoto, with fine gardens and splendid centuries-old structures. The castle was built by the Tokugawa shoguns to serve as the shogun's residence in Kyoto. After the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, the castle served as an imperial residence before being converted to a museum and opened to the public. The series of ornately-decorated reception rooms within the Ninomaru Palace complex is particularly impressive, and known for its "nightingale floors" - wooden flooring which makes bird-like squeaking sounds when stepped on so as to give advance warning when someone was approaching. From the empty base of the donjon that once overlooked the innermost section of the fortress (known as the Honmaru), you can get good views over parts of the castle compound and the wider city beyond. The donjon and original Honmaru Palace burnt down in two separate fires; the current Honmaru Palace was originally part of a prince's residence, and moved to its current location in the Meiji Period (late 19th century). The Honmaru Palace was opened to the public for the first time in 18 years on September 1, 2024, but reservations are required, and it will cost an additional ¥1,000. See also Japanese castles.

   Daily 08:45-16:00 (Gate closes at 17:00), Ninomaru Palace closed on Tuesdays.·¥1,300 for adults; ¥400 for junior and senior high school students, ¥300 for elementary school students, free for children under 6 years · Limited wheelchair access · Heritage listed · Built 1601
3. 
   SeeArt museumHigashiyama

   Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art

   京都国立近代美術館

   An interesting museum featuring works from famous, as well as up-and-coming modern artists. Exhibits change frequently, so it's best to call or visit the website to see exactly what will featured during your visit. You may also want to make sure they will not be changing exhibitions, as they often close an entire floor of the museum during the transition.

   Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00 (on Fridays during special exhibitions, hours may be extended to 20:00)·¥420. (college students receive a discount and special exhibitions require additional costs)
4. 
   SeeMuseumHigashiyama

   Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art

   京都市美術館

   This museum houses a wide variety of art with the permanent collections featuring artists that are from Kyoto. Special exhibits may feature Japanese art from other areas or foreign artwork.

   Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00
5. 
   SeeRailway museumCentral

   Kyoto Railway Museum

   京都鉄道博物館

   An expansive and modern railway museum with over 50 historical Japanese rollingstock, primarily used in service by JR West and its predecessor, JNR. Three Shinkansen models are on display, along with an extensive collection of preserved steam locomotives, including one you can ride. Many informative displays and exhibits of railway technology, operations and systems line a three story main building, coupled with an outdoor locomotive garage complete with railway turntable mean it is easy to spend hours in here. In addition, a very popular train simulator and miniature railway display complete the experience; the former is so popular it requires a lottery to get a turn!

   Daily 10:00-17:00·¥1,500 · Wheelchair accessible
6. 
   SeeArt museumCentral

   Kyoto International Manga Museum

   京都国際マンガミュージアム, Kyōto Kokusai Manga Myūjiamu

   Housed in an old elementary school building, the museum holds over 300,000 manga-related items ranging from rare Meiji-era publications to the works of contemporary artists. One of its main attractions is the so-called "Wall of Manga": a vast collection of some 50,000 volumes arranged on shelves running along the building's corridors. Much of the collection is in Japanese, but there is a sizeable selection of manga translated into various foreign languages (including English) on the ground floor. Visitors are welcome to pick out and read anything they choose from the "Wall of Manga" (although the books can't be checked out for offsite reading), which explains the large numbers of children and young adults that throng the museum - and the large Astroturf field just outside where people can read the manga of their choosing. The museum also hosts special temporary exhibitions and other manga-related events. Closed Wednesdays and national holidays.

   Daily 10:00-18:00 (entry until 17:30)·Adults: ¥800; students: ¥300; children: ¥100 · Wheelchair accessible
7. 
   SeeMuseumCentral

   The Museum of Kyoto

   京都文化博物館, kyōto bunka hakubutsukan; 通称, bunpaku

   The museum features many ancient artifacts relating to Kyoto life and history. It has an expansive ancient ceramics collection.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-19:30 (until 18:00 during special events)·Adults: ¥500; students: ¥400; children: free. For special exhibits: adults: ¥1,400; students: ¥1,000; children: ¥500
8. 
   SeeMuseumHigashiyama

   Hosomi Art Museum

   細見美術館 Hosomi Bijutsukan

   A museum that showcases Japanese religious art from all periods of history. Exhibits change each season but typically feature famous artwork from local temples and shrines.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·Prices vary depending on the exhibit
9. 
   SeeMuseumHigashiyama

   Ryozen History Museum

   霊山歴史館 Ryōzen Rekishikan

   A museum dedicated to displaying artifacts and information about the Meiji Period.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-16:00
10. SeeMuseumArashiyama

    19th Century Hall

    19世紀ホール

    A museum covering the unlikely combination of steam locomotives and pianos. Probably best to look at it from the outside, and listen to the amusing tinny music it blasts out.

11. BuyArt shopCentral

    Gallery Gado

    Gallery Gado sells modern woodblock prints (ukiyo-e) with traditional themes. The gallery also has catalogs of the work of artists who are maintaining this art form. All prints are authentic woodblock prints.

    Daily 10:00-18:00·Postcard-sized prints ¥800, medium-sized prints ¥2,000-3,000, large prints for more

12. SeeSouth

    Daigo-ji

    醍醐寺

    Daigoji is a large temple complex consisting of the garan (main complex), Sanbōin Garden, and Reihōkan Museum. The size and position of the temple, slightly removed from the city, creates a more peaceful, serene setting. As a registered World Heritage Site, the temple has a lot of history, with the oldest remaining structure being the five-story pagoda built in 951. The Sanbōin is the temple's garden, and despite being rather pricey is truly beautiful. The museum houses many of the temple's treasures. Daigoji Temple is famous for being one of Kyoto's best places to view cherry blossoms in the spring and the leaves in the fall. Although the main temple complex is always worth visiting, those visiting in the autumn should consider paying the extra fee to see the Sanbōin garden, as it becomes especially beautiful with the vivid colors of the leaves (sadly pictures are not allowed in the Sanbōin).

    The Garan and Sanbōin are open Mar-Nov: daily 09:00-17:00, and Dec-Feb: daily 09:00-16:00. The museum is open daily 09:00-16:00·Each part costs ¥600 to enter however discount tickets can be purchased to see two (¥1000) or all three (¥1500)

13. DrinkSouth

    Gekkeikan

    月桂冠

    Founded in 1637, this local sake brewing company remains popular among Japanese even today. Many of the old breweries still exist and visitors can tour Gekkeikan and visit the attached museum to get a glimpse of how the sake is made.

    Tue-Sun 09:30-16:30·¥300

14. SeeCentral

    Mibu-dera

    壬生寺

    Founded in 991 CE, Mibu-dera is a Buddhist temple. The temple has Setsubun celebrations in February which draws large crowds. It's free to visit the grounds, however, a small museum and garden have an admission fee.

    Daily 08:30-17:30·Main grounds free; garden & museum ¥100

15. SeeHigashiyama

    Rokuharamitsu-ji

    六波羅蜜寺

    While the temple may not seem so special, the trip is made worthwhile by the amazing Kamakura Period artwork housed in its museum. In particular, the statue of Kuya is quite a unique piece of artwork depicting Kuya Shonin reciting the nenbutsu. To depict the words, the artist Taira Kiyomori, sculpted six miniature figures of Kuya Shonin walking out of his open mouth. Each figure represents one syllable in the nenbutsu. This temple is also the 17th temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

    Daily 08:00–17:00·Grounds: free, Museum: ¥500

16. SeeArashiyama

    Ōkōchi Sansō

    大河内山荘

    A splendid mountain retreat, previously occupied by Japanese silent screen legend Ōkōchi Denjirō. The grounds have something beautiful to offer each season but are probably at their best during autumn, when the trees explode into fiery shades of red and gold. Take a long, leisurely walk through the villa's beautiful gardens and savour the fine views of the city below. There is a small museum on the grounds dedicated to the former owner's life and work.

    Daily 09:00-17:00·Entrance is ¥ 1000; the price includes a cup of matcha (green tea) and a small dessert in the villa's teahouse

17. SeeSouth

    Fushimi Momoyama Castle

    桃山城, Momoyama-jō; officially 伏見城, Fushimi-jō

    This castle was once a favorite of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The original was dismantled in 1623, but a 1964 reconstruction went up in its memory with a small museum and gold-lined tea room.

18. DoCentral Not mapped

    Nishijin Textile Center

    西陣織会館 Nishijin-ori Kaikan

    While visitors may just go to the museum to see the history of Nishijin Textiles, you may also want to try dressing up as a geisha or trying your hand at weaving. You need reservations for each activity, and separate fees are charged for each activity. As of Aug 2023, kimono shows are suspended.

    Weaving costs ¥1,800 adult (¥1,500 for students) and dressing up as a geisha costs ¥10,000

19. SeeCentral Not mapped

    Sumiya

    角屋

    A conserved historic former teahouse in what was once the red-light district of Kyoto, it is today a museum. Only open to the public seasonally.

    ¥1,000

20. 
    SeeMuseum

    Kyoto Museum for World Peace

    The Kyoto Museum for World Peace is part of Ritsumeikan University in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The Museum is accessible to the public for a 200–400 Yen fee. The displays and materials are mostly in Japanese but there is a 25-page English booklet describing the exhibits.
21. 
    SeeMuseum

    大谷大学博物館

    Ōtani University Museum (大谷大学博物館, Ōtani daigaku hakubutsukan) opened in Kyoto, Japan, in 2003. The Ōtani University collection, which relates in particular to Shin Buddhist culture, includes ten Important Cultural Properties. Among these are the February 1041 (Chōkyū 2) portion of Shunki (春記), the diary of Fujiwara no Sukefusa (藤原資房); the oldest surviving edition of Kukai's Kōya zappitsu-shū; and Jichin Kashō-den, a biography of Jien.
22. SeeNorth

    Neon Art Museum

    33-1 Nakasujiura, Keihokutocho, Ukyo-ku

    open by appointment·¥2000

23. 
    SeeArt gallery

    北村美術館

    Kitamura Museum (北村美術館, Kitamura Bijutsukan) opened near the confluence of the Kamo and Takano Rivers in Kyoto, Japan, in 1977. The collection, based on that built up by businessman Kitamura Kinjirō (北村謹次郎), comprises some 1,000 works including thirty-three Important Cultural Properties and nine Important Art Objects, with a particular focus on tea utensils. There is also a tea garden, Shikunshien (四君子苑), a Registered Cultural Property.
24. 
    SeeArt museum

    Nomura Art Museum

    Nomura Art Museum (野村美術館, Nomura Bijutsukan) opened near Nanzen-ji in Kyoto, Japan, in 1984. The sukiya-style building has two rooms for displaying exhibits and there is also a chashitsu. The collection, based on that built up by financier Tokushichi Nomura II, comprises some 1,700 works, including seven Important Cultural Properties and nine Important Art Objects.
25. 
    SeeMuseum

    Kyoto art center

    The Kyoto Art Center (京都芸術センター, Kyōto Geijutsu Sentā) is a venue for promoting the arts which is located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. The center, a three-story reinforced-concrete building, occupies the site of the former Meirin Elementary School (founded by the people of Kyoto during the Meiji era). It has a studio, gallery, auditorium, Japanese-style hall, free space, library, an information corner, Japanese-style tea room, the Maeda Coffee Meirin coffee shop, a common room and shops.

    Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·Free entry · Wheelchair accessible
26. 
    SeeMuseum

    京都市歴史資料館

    Kyoto City Library of Historical Documents (京都市歴史資料館, Kyōto-shi rekishi shiryōkan) opened in Kyoto, Japan, in 1982. The museum's collection of over ninety thousand items relevant to the history of Kyoto includes materials relating to the Yase Dōji that have been designated an Important Cultural Property.
27. 
    SeeMuseum

    京都市考古資料館

    The Kyoto City Archaeological Museum (京都市考古資料館) is located in Kyoto and showcases the city's archaeological findings. The building was constructed in 1914. A part of its exhibit are replicas of the golden tea utensils of the 16th century Golden Tea Room.
28. 
    SeeMuseum

    泉屋博古館

    The Sen-Oku Hakukokan Museum (泉屋博古館) is located in Kyoto, Japan and houses a large collection of Chinese bronze vessels, Chinese and Japanese mirrors, and a few Chinese bronze Buddhist figures.
29. 
    SeeMuseum

    Ryukoku Museum

    The Ryūkoku Museum (龍谷ミュージアム) is a museum of Buddhist art and history in Kyōto, Japan. Conceived as part of the 370th anniversary celebrations of the foundation of what is now Ryūkoku University, it opened facing Nishi Hongan-ji in 2011. The museum displays works from its "vast" collection and there is also a digital recreation of the corridor of Cave 15 at Bezeklik.
30. 
    SeeArt gallery

    Villa Kujoyama

    Villa Kujoyama is a multidisciplinary research and creative residency located on Mount Higashi in Kyoto. Built in 1992 by architect Katō Kunio (加藤 邦男), and initiated by the Société de rapprochement intellectuel franco-japonais, Villa Kujoyama is today one of the oldest and most prestigious French residency programs in Asia. In 2022, Villa Kujoyama celebrated its 30th anniversary.
31. 
    SeeMuseum

    Yurinkan museum

    The Yūrinkan Museum (有鄰館) or Fujii Saiseikai Yūrinkan (藤井斉成会有鄰館) is a private museum of East Asian art in Kyōto, Japan. Established in 1926 by entrepreneur and politician Fujii Zensuke (1860–1934), it is the second oldest private museum in Japan, after the Ōkura Shūkokan. The collection, particularly strong in Chinese art from the Shang to the Qing, includes one National Treasure and nine Important Cultural Properties.
32. 
    SeeMuseum

    清水三年坂美術館

    東山区清水3丁目337-1

    Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow
33. 
    SeeMuseum

    角屋もてなしの文化美術館

    32 京都市下京区西新屋敷揚屋町

    Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow
34. SeeChildren museum

    Tate-kun Museum

    Museum dedicated to anime, manga, tokusatsu and kaiju-themed figure collection

    Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow

35. 
    SeeMuseum

    京都伝統工芸館

    中京区烏丸通三条上る場之町606
36. 
    SeeMuseum

    京都市青少年科学センター

    13 Fukakusa Ikenouchicho
37. 
    SeeAttraction

    櫻谷文庫（旧木島櫻谷家住宅）

    京都府京都市北区等持院東町５６−１
38. 
    SeeArt gallery

    承天閣美術館

    上京区今出川通烏丸東入上る相国寺門前町701
39. 
    SeeMuseum

    並河靖之七宝記念館

    388 Horiikecho
40. 
    SeeMuseum

    Insho-Domoto museum of fine arts

    26-3 Hirano Kamiyanagicho

Browse all 15,386 places in Kyoto

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Kyoto (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).