Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto

Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, designed by Jun Aoki & Associates and Tezzo Nishizawa Architects. Photography by Daici Ano.
Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris
Kyoto, located in the Kansai region near the center of Honshu, is renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage. Since the capital was moved from Nagaoka to Kyoto in 794, the city thrived as Japan’s capital until the Meiji Restoration. Known for its many shrines, temples, and historical sites, Kyoto has preserved its scenic beauty and maintains the serene atmosphere characteristic of an ancient capital. It is no exaggeration to say that Kyoto is the place where one can most deeply experience Japan's history, culture, and traditions.

Beyond its historical landmarks, Kyoto also boasts an impressive array of art museums that showcase everything from classical Japanese art to contemporary works. Whether you're an art lover or a curious traveler, don't miss this article on the five must-visit art museums in Kyoto.
Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris

01. The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

View from the canal to the south of The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto. Photo by Ogawa Taisuke.

The streets of Kyoto have been laid out in a grid since the nation’s capital was moved here over 1,200 years ago. Okazaki Park, centered on Heian Shrine and home to The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK), was designed in the Meiji Era (1868-1912) with left-right symmetry. Reflecting these design principles, MoMAK's exterior walls feature a grid of Portuguese granite and a symmetrical façade, embodying Kyoto's venerable history. The museum, designed by architect Maki Fumihiko, has hosted nearly 300 exhibitions since its construction in 1986.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK) is not only a venue for exhibitions but also attracts students and architects who visit specifically to view its architecture. As a national institution, MoMAK is dedicated to collecting and preserving artworks and related materials from the twentieth century in Japan and around the world. The museum places particular emphasis on artists and movements in Kyoto and the Kansai area, such as the Japanese-style paintings of the Kyoto School. Additionally, it provides an overview of Japanese modern art, craft movements, and works from various global genres.

▸ Address:
26-1, Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8344, Japan

▸ Admission Fee:
The admission fee varies for special and traveling exhibitions. Admission to exhibitions includes access to the Collection Gallery.

▸ Opening Hours:
Regular hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Admission until 17:30)
On Fridays during special exhibitions, the museum is open until 20:00 (last admission at 19:30)

▸ Closed:
Mondays
New Year holidays (specific dates)
If Monday is a national holiday, the museum is closed the following Tuesday.

Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris

02. Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, designed by Jun Aoki & Associates and Tezzo Nishizawa Architects. Photography by Daici Ano.

The museum opened in 1933 as the Kyoto Enthronement Memorial Museum of Art in Kyoto's Okazaki district, reflecting the city's modern trends at the time. Its establishment was made possible by the generous support of many local citizens. After World War II, it was renamed the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art.

As Japan’s oldest public art museum housed in its original architecture, the museum's classical façade against the backdrop of Higashiyama has been highly appreciated. The renewal project, led by renowned Japanese architects Aoki Jun and Nishizawa Tezzo, introduced innovative designs while preserving original elements, creating a fusion of old and new for a fresh image.

The Main Building, completed in 1933 in the Crown Imperial Style, is the oldest among Japan’s existing public art museums and has been a significant presence in Kyoto for over 80 years. While architecture itself does not change, the way people view and experience it evolves over time. Respecting the original structure while renovating it for the current age is crucial for its future.

▸ Address:
124 Okazaki Enshojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8344, Japan

▸ Admission Fee:
Collection Room Entrance Fees
Kyoto City Residents ¥520
Non-Residents ¥730

Admission is free for residents over 70 (with valid ID or senior boarding pass) and for those with disabilities (with valid disability certificates). Admission is ¥100 for students attending Kyoto universities registered as Kyoto City Campus Culture Partners.

Students living or studying in Kyoto. Please bring a valid ID.

▸ Opening Hours:
10:00 - 18:00 (Admission until 17:30)

▸ Closed:
Mondays (unless it is a public holiday)
December 28 to January 2 (Year-end/New Year holidays)

Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris

03. Kyoto National Museum

Kyoto National Museum is one of Japan's oldest and one of only four top-level national museums. Photo credit: Kyoto National Museum.

Opened in 1897, the Kyoto National Museum is one of Japan's oldest and one of only four top-level national museums. The museum is dedicated to the acquisition, storage, research, and exhibition of cultural properties. Regardless of the value or importance of these artworks and research results, they are meaningless if kept out of public view. Therefore, the museum strives to engage visitors of all ages and foster a joy of learning through its diverse exhibitions and activities.

The museum's permanent collection is displayed only during short periods each year and includes a wide variety of cultural properties such as archaeological relics, sculptures, ceramics, calligraphy, costumes, and paintings. For most of the year, the museum hosts special exhibitions on various themes. When exhibitions are not being held, only the museum garden is open to the public.

▸ Address:
527 Chayacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0931, Japan

▸ Admission Fee:
Adult ¥700
University Student (ID required) ¥350

▸ Opening Hours:
9:30 - 17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
Fridays: 9:30 - 20:00 (Admission until 19:30)

▸ Closed:
Mondays (if Monday is a national holiday, the museum remains open on Monday and closes the following day, Tuesday)

Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris

04. Kahitsukan, Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art

Kahitsukan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art, Kyoto, 1981, Kajikawa Yoshitomo with Akenuki AtsushiPhotograph © Sophie Walker

Opened in 1981, this private art museum is located in the heart of Kyoto's traditional Gion district. The name "Kahitsu" reflects the philosophy that people often lose their freedom by adhering to established theories in scholarship and art. The name expresses a desire to maintain a spirit of freedom by questioning these established notions with the phrase "Why necessarily so?"

The museum's collection focuses on works by Japanese-style painter Murakami Kagaku, Western-style painter Yamaguchi Kaoru, and ceramic artist Kitaoji Rosanjin, who was active in various fields of art and craft. It also includes a wide range of modern and contemporary paintings, crafts, and photographs from both Japan and abroad. The museum regularly hosts special exhibitions.

On the top floor, the fifth floor, there is a tea room designed as an exhibition space, adorned with a light garden featuring beautiful tree. Here, visitors can enjoy a serene moment amidst the city's hustle and bustle, basking in the light streaming in from above and appreciating the changing seasons through the vibrant foliage.

▸ Address:
271, Kitagawa, Gion, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0073, Japan

▸ Admission Fee:
General ¥1000
Student ¥800

▸ Opening Hours:
10:00 - 17:30 (Admission until 17:00)

▸ Closed:
Mondays
Year-end to New Year period
Exhibition preparation periods

Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris

05. Fukuda Art Museum

Fukuda Art Museum, located in the Saga-Arashiyama area, was designed by Japanese architect Koichi Yasuda.

Since ancient times, the Saga-Arashiyama area, home to the Fukuda Art Museum, has been cherished by nobles and cultured individuals, serving as a source of artistic inspiration. Today, this area is one of Japan’s top tourist destinations, attracting visitors from across the globe.

The Fukuda Art Museum houses a collection of approximately 2,000 pieces by renowned Japanese painters from the Edo period to the modern era. The museum aims to display artworks that move people, even if they are not familiar with art. It places special emphasis on works from the Kyoto art world, featuring many noteworthy first-time exhibits and exceptional pieces.

The museum offers a serene space that beautifully blends traditional Japanese architecture with nature. Its garden, pond, and seasonal flowers create a tranquil fusion of art and nature, providing a healing experience for visitors. The Fukuda Art Museum is a special place for culture lovers and art enthusiasts to experience the beauty and spirituality of Japan.

▸ Address:
3-16 Susukino Baba-cho, Sagatenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

▸ Admission Fee:
General / University student ¥1,500
High school student ¥900
Elementary / Junior high school student ¥500
Disabled person and up to one helper ¥900
Combined Ticket for Fukuda Art Museum and Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture ¥2,300

▸ Opening Hours:
10:00 - 17:00 (Admission until 16:30)

▸ Closed:
Exhibit-replacement days
New Year's holiday

Please remember to check the museum's website before your visit, as information may not be immediately updated.
Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris

Read another Kyoto City Guide:

• The Garden of Fine Arts by Tadao Ando
• The Green Beauty of Rurikoin Temple in Early Summer
• The Face House by Kazumasa Yamashita
Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris

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Kyoto City Guide | 5 Must-Visit Art Museums in Kyoto - dans le gris
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