Home > Kyoto This Month > Museums, Theatre & Other Fun



GOLDEN PAVILION AREA



Kyoto Prefectural Insho Domoto Museum of Fine Arts
Insho Domoto (1891-1975; born in Kyoto) ranks as one of Japan's top 20th-century painters; during his long and highly productive career he achieved renown for both his impressionist and abstract work; 500 yen; 9:30-17:00 (enter by 16:30); closed Mon.; Tel: 075-463-0007.



Kyoto Shosuikaku Nishijin Ori Museum
Experience the wonder of exquisite textile and art reproductions using super-fine Nishijin weaving techniques; Tel: 075-431-1670.



Nishijin Textile Center
Kyoto kimono and obi textile arts; exhibits include a Jacquard loom; an hourly kimono show, and many Nishijin textile products; 9:00-17:00; Tel: 075-451-9231.



Urasenke Center
This center, the headquarters of Japan's leading tea ceremony school, regularly features exhibitions related to Chado, the Way of Tea; for details visit their website; 800 yen; 9:30-16:30; closed Mon.; Tel: 075-431-6474.




KIYOMIZU TEMPLE AREA




Kawai Kanjiro's House
The fascinating home and studio of mingei (folk art) potter/designer Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966); 900 yen; 10:00-17:00, closed Mon.; Tel: 075-561-3585.

Kodaiji Sho Museum
Many priceless pieces of artistic makie (lacquer ware sprinkled with gold or silver powder) possessed by Kodai-ji Temple and historical artifacts; 9:30-18:00 (until 22:00 during Kodai-ji Temple's nighttime opening); 300 yen (600 yen for combination ticket with Kodai-ji Temple); Tel: 075-561-1414.

Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum
Until May 19: Imperial Household Artists Series 4 – Metal Works: The Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum is the first museum in Japan to build a permanent collection of metalwork, cloisonne, maki-e lacquerware and Kyoto Satsuma Ware artworks from the late Edo to the early Meiji period (17-19th century); This exhibition features two metal work artists, Natsuo Kano (1828-1898) and Shomin Unno (1844-1915) who were appointed as the imperial household artists; 10:00-17:00; Closed: Mon. & Tues.; 500 yen.


Memorial Museum of Kondo Yuzo
Kondo Yuzo (1902-1985) is known for his exquisite pottery glaze paintings; 500 yen; 10:00-17:00; closed Wed.; Tel: 075-561-2917.



NIJO CASTLE AREA



Kyoto Shibori Kogeikan
Learn traditional shibori dyeing (a Japanese tie-dye textile technique); The experience takes about 90 min.; 3,000 yen; Reservations required; They also have kimono and scarves in their craft shop; 9:00-17:00; Closed irregularly; Tel: 075-221-4252.



Horino Memorial Museum
At this museum, formerly the residence of the founder of Kinshi Masamune (one of Japan's most respected sake producers), visitors can see how sake is made and enjoy the taste of freshly brewed sake; 300 yen; 11:00-17:00 (beer hall: 11:00-21:00); closed: Mon.; Tel: 075-223-2072.



Gallery AKCUA
A small gallery of contemporary art works by university students of the Kyoto City University of Arts; 11:00-19:00, closed Mon.; on the north side of Oike, east of Horikawa; Tel: 075-334-2204.



GION AREA


Kahitsukan Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art
This fantastic private museum, in the Gion district, has four, serene floors of wonderful Japanese paintings and sculpture and a roof-top moss garden; 10:00-17:30 (entry until 17:00); Closed: Mon.; 1,000 yen; 10:00-17:30 (entry until 17:00), closed Mon.; Tel: 075-525-1311.



Yasui Kompira Emado Museum
An extraordinary collection of ema, a common form of hand-painted shrine votive prayer tablet; 500 yen; 10:00-16:00, closed Mon.; Tel: 075-561-5127.



HEIAN SHRINE AREA




Hosomi Museum
May 11-July 21: The World of Japanese Art – Prayers and Decoration: To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the museum, superb art works featuring Shinto and Buddhist art from the museum’s private collection will be exhibited; “Koko-an”, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony room, on the top floor of the museum, offers visitors a chance to experience tea ceremony; The facilities also include a fine museum shop, cafe & restaurant; 10:00-18:00, closed Mon. (or Tues, if Mon is a natl. holiday); Tel: 075-752-5555.



Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
Until June 9: Masterworks from the Collections of the Prince of Liechtenstein: The first public presentation in Japan giving the full picture of the collection of the royal family of the Principality of Liechtenstein, a small country in central Europe; Rubens, Raphael, Rembrandt and other paintings of the 16th-18th centuries will be introduced; 1,500 yen; 9:00-17:00 (enter by 16:30); Closed: Mon. except natl. holidays; 500 yen; Tel: 075-771-4107.



Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
Exhibits of and information related to all of Kyoto's craft traditions; including educational videos and a small library; guidance available in English, Chinese and Korean; Until May 6: Kyoto Wood Craft Exhibition: Tea ceremony utensils, furniture and many other forms of Kyoto’s traditional wood craft works will be exhibited; May 10-June 9: The World of Kyoto Lacquer Ware: Beautiful and shiny Kyoto-style lacquer ware, known internationally as “japan,” will be exhibited; Traditional Craft Demonstrations: Every day (except for Mon.) from 10:00 to 16:30, visitors can observe experienced Kyoto craftsmen at work; Maiko Dance: Dance performances by a real maiko; every Sun., from 14:00-15:30 (3 performances); open 9:00-17:00; free of charge.



Namikawa Cloisonne Museum of Kyoto
Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927) was the greatest Japanese modern master of cloisonne (enamelware); 10:00-16:30; closed Mon., Thurs.; 600 yen; Tel: 075-752-3277.


National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Until May 6: The 50th Anniversary of the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto - CROSS SECTIONS : To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the museum, this exhibition features Japan’s modern crafts from the permanent collections; 850 yen; The SHIBAKAWA Terukichi Collection - A Personal View to Japanese Modern Art: The museum's recent acquisitions of Japan's modern painters’ works: Permanent: Paintings, ceramics, sculptures, prints and photos by Japanese and foreign artists; 9:30-17:00 (until 20:00 on Fri.); closed: Mon.; Tel: 075-761-4111.


Zohiko Urushi Museum
Until 28: ZOHIKO’s History: Zohiko has been creating and selling lacquer ware for 350 years; In this exhibition, lacquerware with celebrative Japanese patterns will be exhibited; A selection of masterpieces from Zohiko collection includes art works utilizing a variety of maki-e (gold and silver decorations on lacquer) techniques; The museum offers the public a unique opportunity to see many of Japan's finest examples of lacquer work ranging from the late Edo period to the present; 300 yen; 10:00-17:00; Closed: Wed.; Tel: 075-752-7790.

IMPERIAL PALACE AREA


Adachi Kumihimo Gallery
A wide range of kumihimo braiding from different eras of Japanese history are exhibited; 500 yen; 9:00-16:00; closed Sun., national holidays; 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sat.; Tel: 075-432-4113.



Raku Museum
Until July 7: A Selection of Works by Raku Generations: Tea ceremony bowls by successive masters of the Raku Family, from the first generation to the present 15th-generation master; Selected masterpieces featured in this exhibit include two rarely displayed black tea bowls created by the founder of the family, Chojiro; 10:00-16:30; Closed: Mon.; 900 yen; Tel: 075-414-0304.



Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum
Precious treasures (screens, scrolls, etc.) of Zen history and culture (1200-1800) belonging to the Shokoku-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji Zen temples; 800 yen; 10:00-17:00; Tel: 075-241-0423.




DOWNTOWN AREA



Kyoto Art Center
The Kyoto Art Center was set up to support young artists and encourages the preservation of Kyoto's traditional arts; Quiet cafe/bar on the 1st floor; Tel: 075-213-1000.


The Museum of Kyoto
Until June 23: The Inca Empire Revealed: Century After the Machu Picchu ''Discovery'': About 160 mysterious and historical arts and crafts from the Inca Empire will be exhibited for the first time in Japan; 1,300 yen; Kyoto art and craft masterworks, film and theatre exhibits, Kyoto archaeological artifacts, local crafts and more!; the museum building also has a section of quality shops, restaurants, and a cafe; 10:00-19:30 (enter by 19:00); Closed Mon. & the day after natl. holidays; Tel: 075-222-0888.


Kyoto International Manga Museum
Japan's first museum dedicated to the world of manga comics; a collection of more than 300,000 manga and related materials; Until June 9: MaGiC - Kyoto Manga Girls Collection: The shojo manga (girls' comic) and fashion themed project ''Kyoto Manga Girls Collection'' (Kyoto MaGiC) first creating clothing inspired by shojo manga in 2011; This year's event has created clothes from Moyoco Anno's manga series and will consist of an art exhibition as well as a fashion show to launch the ensembles; 10:00-18:00 (until 20:00 in Aug.); 800 yen; Tel: 075-254-7414



Shiorian Museum
A stunning traditional machiya townhouse devoted to kimono culture; superb Japanese-style interiors; 500 yen; 10:00-17:00, closed irregularly; advanced reservation required; Tel: 075-241-0215.



KYOTO STATION AREA



Museum Eki KYOTO (7F of Isetan Dept. Store)
This small museum in the Isetan department store regularly holds special exhibitions; 10:00-20:00 (until 17:00 on the last day); Tel: 075-352-1111.


Kyoto National Museum
Until May 12: Kano Sanraku and Sansetsu: The Kano painters Sanraku and Sansetsu were active in Kyoto from the Momoyama (1583-1600) to early Edo (1600-1868) periods; Masterful works, including rich, magnificent screen and wall paintings, representative examples, pieces in overseas collections that will be returning to Japan for the first time and newly discovered paintings will be presented; 1,400 yen; 9:30-18:00 (until 20:00 on Fri.); Closed Mon.; Tel: 075-525-2473.




Saga/Arashiyama AREA



Saga Toriimoto Town Preservation Center
Saga's Toriimoto area (near Arashiyama) is intimately connected with Atago Shrine (home to the God of Fire Protection); there are a number of well-preserved thatch-roof farmhouses in the area; 10:00-16:00; closed Mon.; Tel: 075-864-2406.


Kyoto Japanese Folk Dolls Museum
This museum has a wide collection of old and traditional Japanese folk dolls from all over the country; this exhibition is focused on small Tenjin dolls; 9:30-17:00; closed Tues. & between special exhibitions; 800 yen; Tel: 075-882-1421.


Shigureden
The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu is an anthology of 100 excellent Japanese poems written by different 100 poets; At this museum visitors can experience the world of the elegant Heian period (794-1185), as well as interesting highly visual displays; Heian-period costume experience & photo shooting available; 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30); Closed Mon.; 500 yen; Tel: 075-882-1111.



OTHER AREAS



Miho Museum
The Miho Museum, designed by the world-renowned architect I. M. Pei, opened in November 1997. The museum's stunning collection includes Japanese tea ceremony art, Buddhist art, Japanese ceramics, and masterpiece works from ancient civilizations the world over; 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:00); closed Mon. & between exhibitions; 1,000 yen; Tel: 0748-82-341.


Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum
Original unique art works by 30 artists based in the Kansai region; a fine museum set in a vast garden; the annex was designed by Tadao Ando and is home to a water lily Monet original; The works by Kanjiro Kawai, Shoji Hamada, Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie; 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30); 900 yen; closed: Mon.; Tel: 075-957-3123; a 15-min. walk from JR Yamazaki Stn. or Hankyu Oyamazaki Stn..



Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
This museum introduces the fascinating history of sake brewing through its valuable collection of traditional brewing tools and other interesting exhibits related to the production of sake; sake tasting is also part of the museum tour; 300 yen; 9:30-16:30; Closed mid. Aug. & at the end and beginning of the year; Tel: 075-623-2056.



Kyoto International Community House
A wide variety of facilities and services; Library, computer/internet area, CNN, coffee shop, notice/ad books, and free immigration/legal consulting services; 9:00-21:00; Closed: Mon.; Tel: 752-3010.


Byodo-in Museum Hosho-kan
Byodo-in Temple's (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) museum is considered to be the first modern temple museum in Japan; It was designed to securely house the temple's many national treasures in a facility suitable for public viewing; The museum also has a superb gift shop; 9:00-17:00; Tel: 0774-21-2861; http://www.byodoin.or.jp/

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