Have you ever been to a historical, Industrial or Entertainment museum ? But before that, what is a museum ? A museum is simply a building in which objects of historical, scientific, artistic, or cultural interest are stored and exhibited. Some of us may have stripped one or visited some without knowing. Japan is one of the countries where you will find amazing relics, historical objects or artworks displayed in many museums and galleries. Besides, there are so many museums that you won’t know where to start from. That is why in this piece, we have selected some popular museums in Kyoto that you really need to add to your bucket list.
10 Popular Museums in Kyoto you should not miss
1. Kyoto National Museum
Most visitors are interested in the history and culture of Japan. This is why we have the Kyoto National Museum as the first museum. Actually it’s one of the four national museums in Japan and it focuses on traditional Japanese art. It features exhibitions from its permanent collection and different temporary special exhibitions. Special exhibitions are displayed in the museum’s brick building while the permanent collection is found in a modern building that was newly opened in 2014.
Location and opened hours of Kyoto National Museum
The Kyoto National Museum is located across the street from Sanjusangendo and opens from 9:30 to 17:00.
Admission
Permanent exhibition: 700 yen
Special exhibitions: around 1500 yen
The museum is about 15 min from Imadegawa Station and opens from 10:00 to 16:30. Admission to the museum varies depending on the exhibition, typically between 700 – 1000 yen.
2. Kyoto International Manga Museum
Our second museum is an entertainment museum. If you are a great otaku then this should definitely be your destination. Explore many Japanese comic books and more about drawing styles of some of your most famous in the International Manga Museum in Kyoto. This museum was set in an elementary school and it equally has temporary exhibits and permanent collections.
Location and opened hours of Kyoto International Manga Museum
It is just beside Karasuma-Oike Station and opens from 10:00 to 18:00
Usually closed on Wednesdays (or following day if Wednesday is a national holiday)
Admission
Admission to the museum is 900 yen and special exhibitions are not included
3. Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
This is one of the museums in Kyoto that houses over 6,000 traditional sake making implements. Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is an Industrial and Commercial museum with many items there declared Folk Craft Cultural Assets. This museum displays traditional tools and methods of sake brewing and you can even taste some sake at the end of your visit.
Location and opened hours of Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Gekkeikan Okura Sake is about 10 min from Chushojima or Momoyama Goryo-mae Stations and opens from 9:30 to 16:30
But it closes from December 28 to January 4 due to the Obon
Admission
The admission to this museum is 400 yen
4. The National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto
This is one of Kyoto’s popular Contemporary art venues with an architecture designed by Fumihiko Maki. The Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art box-like structure ( 2,600-square-metre). It is home to an amazing permanent collection of more than 10,000 artworks. Some of these artworks fall under nihonga (traditional Japanese painting), western paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photography. You find work of some popular artists like:
- Murayama Tomoyoshi
- Koide Narashige
- Pablo Picasso
- André Breton
- Murakami Kagaku and many others displayed in this museum.
Location and opened hours of The National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto
Located near the Heian Shrine and opens from 9:30 to 17:00.
Usually closed on Mondays or the following day if Monday is a national holiday
Admission
Admission into the museum is 430 yen and it does not include special exhibition fee, which varies.
5. Kyoto Samurai and Ninja Experience Museum
If you like samurai costumes and swords then this is the right place to view great exhibits of armors and swords. This museum in Kyoto has 3 floors that will easily help you to study the culture, history of Japan and even experiencing the Samurai and Ninja.
On the first floor, you can buy souvenirs including Samurai Katana.
The second floor displays many artifacts and some histories about them
The last floor which we consider popular is where you will dress like a samurai and use the famous Ninja star (Shuriken) and blowgun (Fukiya) of the Ninja.
Location and opened hours of Kyoto Samurai and Ninja Experience Museum
It is Located in the Kawaramachi shopping district and opens from Sun – Sat 10:30 am – 8:00 pm.
Admission
2400 yen for a full entrance fee and full experiences
6. The Museum of Kyoto
The Museum of Kyoto offers a very attractive permanent exhibition about the history of Kyoto. Unfortunately it has a relatively small floor and most information displayed is in Japanese making it difficult for those who are not good at reading Japanese. Nevertheless the experience there is great and special exhibitions are organized periodically.
Location and opened hours of The Museum of Kyoto
It is a 5 minute walk southeast of Karasuma-Oike Station and opens from 10:00 to 19:30.
Usually closes on Mondays the following day if Monday is a national holiday
and New year
Admission
500 yen for permanent exhibitions
7. Kyoto Railway Museum
The Kyoto Railway Museum formerly the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum is a railway museum in Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It is one of Japan’s three great railway museums. It spans across three floors in a 30,000-square-metre (322,900-square-foot) building. Kyoto Railway Museum offers visitors the opportunity to experience transport innovations in Japan, exhibiting 53 retired trains, from steam locomotives to more modern electric trains and the high-speed Shinkansen. If you are fond of trains or not , I recommend you also add this museum in Kyoto to your bucket list.
Location and opened hours of Kyoto Railway Museum
Located in Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward Kyoto, Kyoto, 600-8835, Japan and is open from 10:00 to 17:00.
Usually closes on Wednesdays
Admission
Admission to the museum is 1200 yen
8. Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
This museum displays handicrafts like kimonos, umbrellas, boxwood combs, lacquer ware, Buddhist worship sets, porcelain, Japanese dolls, and even paper fans. Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts also displays information both in English and Japanese about Japan’s traditional industries. In additions there is a craft shop where you can buy many souvenirs before your departure.
Location and opened hours of Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
Located in B1F Miyakomesse, 9-1 Okazaki-Seishoji-cho, Sakyo, Kyoto, Japan and is open from 10:00 to 18:00 from Tuesday to Sunday.
Usually closes on Wednesdays
Admission
Admission to this museum is free
9. Kyoto Seishu Netsuke Art Museum
Find exquisite miniature sculptures(Netsuke) in Seishu Netsuke Art Museum which were believed to prevent objects like inro (medicine box), yatate (writing set), tobacco and pouches, from being stolen.
Location and opened hours of Kyoto Seishu Netsuke Art Museum
Located in ４６-1 Mibukayogoshocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8811, Japan and opens from 10:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday.
Usually closes on Mondays
Admission
Admission to this museum is 1,000 yen
10. Miho Museum Kyoto
This is one of the museums in Kyoto founded by one of the richest women in Japan Koyama Mihoko. Miho Museum Kyoto has a unique design and natural ecosystems with its man-made elements. The Museum has several exhibitions that consist of masterpieces belonging to different ancient civilizations including Roman culture, Egyptian culture, and Asian culture. All artworks here are private collections of Koyama. In addition to this, the main exhibit may change once a year, while special exhibits can vary every month.
Location and opened hours of Kyoto Seishu Netsuke Art Museum
Located in 桃谷-300 Shigarakicho Tashiro, Koka, Shiga 529-1814, Japan and opens from 10:00 to 16:00 from Tuesday to Sunday.
Usually closes on Mondays
Admission
Adults: 1300 yen
High school/university students: 1000 yen
Elementary/junior high school students: free
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- Must-see Contemporary art galleries in Japan
- Great Landmarks you should visit in Japan in groups
- Restaurants to eat with your family in Tokyo
- Hotels to visit or stay in Tokyo
- Famous Festivals to experience in Japan with your friends
- Landmarks that will blow your head in New York
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