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The Museum of Kyoto

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The Museum of Kyoto

A comprehensive cultural facility presenting Kyoto’s history and culture through a wide range of easy-to-understand exhibits.

3.24 1

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Supervised by :  The Museum of Kyoto

The museum was established in 1988 as part of a project commemorating the 1,200th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto as Japan’s capital. Renovated in 2011, it offers visitors an authentic experience of Kyoto through a wide range of exhibits that clearly introduce the history and culture of this historic city, often called the thousand-year capital.

The permanent exhibition galleries display masterpieces associated with Kyoto and valuable materials from various periods and fields, revealing the city’s remarkable depth and diversity. The Film Theater on the third floor regularly screens acclaimed films from the collection of Kyoto Prefecture.

The Roji Shops, which recreate the storefronts of Kyoto townhouses from the late Edo period, are home to long-established restaurants, traditional Japanese goods stores, a sake brewery’s specialty shop, and other Kyoto businesses. Visitors can sample Kyoto cuisine and shop for souvenirs.
The red-brick Annex occupies the former Kyoto Branch of the Bank of Japan, designed by Kingo Tatsuno, a pioneer of modern Japanese architecture who also worked on Tokyo Station, and others. This valuable building, designated an Important Cultural Property, is well worth seeing. There is also a café in the renovated former vault.
Its many attractions beyond the museum exhibits add to its appeal.

Highlights

  • Clearly presented exhibits on Kyoto’s long history and traditional culture.
  • Masterpieces associated with Kyoto on display.
  • Screenings of classic Japanese films and other acclaimed movies from the collection of Kyoto Prefecture.
  • The Annex, housed in the former Kyoto Branch of the Bank of Japan, is another highlight.
  • The Roji Shops recreate Kyoto townhouses from the Edo period.

Photos

  • The Annex, formerly the Kyoto Branch of the Bank of Japan

    The Annex, formerly the Kyoto Branch of the Bank of Japan

  • The Film Theater, which screens classic Japanese films and other acclaimed movies

    The Film Theater, which screens classic Japanese films and other acclaimed movies

  • The Roji Shops, offering Kyoto specialties and souvenirs

    The Roji Shops, offering Kyoto specialties and souvenirs

Reviews

1

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • wendy
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    The Museum of Kyoto is a comprehensive cultural facility that introduces Kyoto's history and culture. Through a wide variety of exhibits, it presents the city's development and culture in a clear and easy-to-understand way.

    General admission is JPY 500, and student admission is JPY 400, so the prices are quite affordable. The building's exterior is also very beautiful, and the exhibitions are good, with different themes each time.

    One downside is that the explanations inside the museum are mainly only in Japanese and English, with no support for other languages. If you're not very familiar with Japanese or English, it may be a little difficult to gain a deeper understanding of the exhibits.

    If you have enough time in your itinerary and enjoy history, culture, or museums, I would still recommend stopping by and taking your time to experience a side of Kyoto's cultural appeal that's different from its tourist attractions.

Details

Name in Japanese
京都文化博物館
Postal Code
604-8183
Address
623-1 Higashikata-cho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone
075-222-0888
Closed on
Mondays (or the following day when Monday is a national holiday) and December 27–January 3
Hours
Permanent exhibitions: 10:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. (last admission at 7:00 p.m.)
Special exhibitions: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; open until 7:30 p.m. every Friday (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Annex: 10:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. (hours may vary during events)
Roji Shops: Varies by store
Admission
Permanent exhibitions: Adults ¥600; university students ¥400; high school students and younger free
Special exhibitions: Varies by exhibition
Annex: Free admission
Access
1) 3-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway lines
2) 7-minute walk from Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
3) From Kyoto Station on the JR or Kintetsu lines, take a city bus to Sakaimachi Oike; 2-minute walk from the bus stop
Credit Cards
Accepted
Official website
Official website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa