Having served as the capital of Japan and the residence of the imperial family from 794 until 1868, Kyoto boasts a rich cultural heritage that’s still very much evident as you explore its atmospheric streets and serene temples.
Given its history, it’s no surprise that the city is also home to plenty of distinguished museums packed with artistic treasures and authentic local crafts. Here are seven of the best museums in Kyoto.
Atmosphere and Sake at Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum
Kyoto’s scenic Fushimi district is one of the top sake brewing areas in the country, with more than 40 sake breweries in operation thanks to its strategic location and the pure water of the nearby Hori River. The Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum is housed in a beautifully preserved building owned by industry giant Gekkeikan, which dates back to 1637. Inside, you can explore exhibits and artifacts relating to the brewery’s history and the process of sake making.
For an extra fee, you can tour the neighboring Uchigura Sake Brewery, where they still make rice wine and other tipples using traditional methods. Either way, your museum visit ends with a chance to sample some of the finished products, and you even get a small bottle to take home with you as a gift, making the small entrance fee a real bargain.
Visit Kyoto National Museum to See Historical Artifacts
Since opening its doors to its first exhibition in 1897, the Kyoto National Museum has grown to become one of the most prestigious museums in Japan. The permanent collection includes a wide variety of paintings, textiles, ceramics, lacquerware, metalwork, calligraphy, and archaeological relics, showcased in rotating exhibitions in the Heisei Chishinkan wing.
Opened in 2014, this spacious building was designed by renowned architect Taniguchi Yoshio. It stands in wonderful contrast to Katayama Tokuma’s original red-brick Meiji Kotokan hall, which still symbolizes the museum.
The most significant draws are often the temporary special exhibitions, so it’s advisable to visit during weekdays to avoid crowds. Even the museum grounds have plenty to explore, including a traditional teahouse, sculpture gardens, and a pleasant water fountain overlooked by a replica of Rodin’s iconic Thinker.
Explore Traditional Culture at the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design
Also known as Fureai-Kan, the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design is a fantastic place to learn about the city’s many traditional arts and crafts. The permanent exhibition includes all 74 categories of Kyoto’s traditional artistic industries, ranging from folding fans and pottery to bamboo flutes, paper umbrellas, and lanterns. The displays feature materials, tools, processes used, and finished works.
Occasional special exhibitions focus on particular crafts, and during workshops and craft demonstrations, visitors have the rare opportunity to observe skilled artisans at work. Kyoto is proud of its artistic heritage, and a wander around this museum will leave you captivated.
Comic Book Fans Flock to Kyoto International Manga Museum
Housed in a former elementary school, the Kyoto International Manga Museum is a must-visit for fans of Japanese comic books or graphic novels. Explore permanent and temporary exhibitions on the art form, as well as a mesmerizing “Wall of Manga” lined with roughly 50,000 books that you can browse or take into the courtyard to read. While most volumes are in Japanese, the Manga Expo section features an expanding selection of translated and international works.
If you visit on weekends, you can watch artists at work in the Manga Studio. At the Portrait Corner, you can have an anime-style picture drawn by one of the resident manga artists. The museum also hosts manga drawing workshops and occasional performances of kamishibai, a traditional form of Japanese street theater that uses pictures to tell stories.
Best Museum for Japanese Art? Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art
Formerly named the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art is situated in a photogenic classical building close to Heian-jingū shrine. Recently renovated by some of Japan’s most renowned architects, the gallery has a fantastic permanent collection of around 3,800 pieces by Kyoto artists. These include paintings in both Japanese and western styles, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, sculptures, calligraphy, and other crafts. The museum hosts various special exhibitions focusing on specific artists, time periods, or themes, as well as pop culture favorites.
Visitors can enjoy traditional local Kyoto sweets at the cafe, or opt for one of their picnic sets if the weather is pleasant, making it possible to enjoy lunch in the picturesque grounds.
Families and Trainspotters Will Love Kyoto Railway Museum
Opened in 2016 with the aim of showcasing Japan’s railway innovation history, the fun and interactive Kyoto Railway Museum is perfect for both families and train enthusiasts. The three floors of displays cover everything from railway uniforms and tools to the inner workings of ticket machines. The 30,000-sq-m site houses 53 retired trains, including vintage steam locomotives and sleek modern shinkansen (bullet trains). For a small fee, you can enjoy a 10-minute ride in a passenger car pulled by an authentic steam train.
Inside, don’t miss engaging exhibits like the driving simulator and the intricate diorama where miniature trains traverse a detailed landscape. Train travel enthusiasts should also check out the Nijo Station Building on the way out, a charming wooden property that dates back to 1904, now home to the museum’s gift shop.
Contemporary Art Fans at National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Kyoto’s National Museum of Modern Art sits beside the towering red torii gate of Heian-jingū shrine. Housed in a striking cubic building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Maki Fumihiko, the gallery focuses primarily on works by artists from Kyoto and the wider Kansai region. The collection features Japanese-style paintings, watercolors, prints, oils, photography, and crafts such as ceramics and textiles.
The museum hosts regular special exhibitions, occasional workshops, and has a pleasant café with a terrace overlooking the lovely Lake Biwa Canal. Visitors can enjoy a discounted night rate on Fridays and Saturdays after 5 PM, and if you have visited the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art on the same day, you may benefit from a cheaper rate for the special exhibitions by showing your ticket stub.
