Home > Kyoto
This Month > Museums, Theatre & Other Fun
-
GOLDEN PAVILION AREA
Kyoto Prefectural Insho Domoto Museum of Fine Arts
Domoto Insho (1891-1975), a great Kyoto-born Japanese painter, worked in several styles including impressionist and abstract; 500 yen; 9:30-17:00 (enter by 16:30); closed Mon.; Tel: 463-0007.
Kyoto Shosuikaku Nishijin Ori Museum
Experience the wonder of exquisite textile and art reproductions using super-fine Nishijin weaving techniques; and see the inside of a large, wealthy merchant home with interior garden, kura storehouse; for more information see pg; Tel: 431-1670.
Nishijin Textile Center
Kyoto kimono and obi textile arts; exhibits include a Jacquard loom and tsuzure (finger-nail weaving) loom (demonstrated daily); an hourly kimono show, and many Nishijin textile products; 9:00-17:00; Tel: 451-9231.
Orinasu Kan
Exquisite kimono and obi exhibited in a large restored Nishijin machiya townhouse; live demonstrations of traditional textile weaving, etc.; 500 yen; 10:00-16:00, closed Mon.; Tel: 431-0020.
Urasenke Center
Special exhibitions related to Chado, the Way of Tea, at this world-famous tea school's modern headquarters; the gallery on the 2F features a perfectly constructed traditional tearoom; here, visitors can experience a bowl of maccha tea, served with a Japanese traditional sweet; in their ''make-it -yourself'' corner you can learn how to make a bowl of maccha tea; Tel: 431-6474; for current exhibition details, see gallery news at: www.urasenke.or.jp/texte/index.html
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: 561-3585.
Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum
Until 8/23: Miniature Makie Lacquer Boxes: The Apple of Marie Antoinette's Eyes: makie is a traditional decoration on lacquerware using real gold and silver foils and powders. The western world fell in love with the beautiful world of Japanese makie and some, including Marie Antoinette, acquired great makie collections; 500 yen; also their ad on pg.
Kyoto Tojiki Kaikan
An excellent selection of Kyoto ceramics on display and for sale; 9:30-17:00; Tel: 541-1102.
Memorial Museum of Kondo Yuzo
Works by Kondo Yuzo (1902-1985), a living national treasure known for his exquisite pottery glaze paintings; also a gift shop; 500 yen; 10:00-17:00; closed Wed.; Tel: 561-2917.
NIJO CASTLE AREA
Kyoto Shibori Kogeikan
Learn traditional shibori dyeing (a Japanese tie-dye textile technique); about 90 min.; 3,000 yen; reservations required; they also have kimonos and scarves in their craft shop; 9:00-17:00 (closed irregularly); Tel: 221-4252.
Horino Memorial Museum
This museum used to be the residence of the founder of Kinshi Masamune, founder of one of Japan's most respected sake producers. At the museum, visitors can see up close how sake is produced and enjoy the taste of freshly brewed sake; 11:00-17:00 (beer hall: 11:00-21:00), closed Mon.; Tel: 223-2072.
GINKAKU-JI TEMPLE AREA
Hakusa-sonso (Hashimoto Kansetsu Museum)
Exquisite art works that belonged to master painter Hashimoto Kansetsu (1883-1945); enjoy green tea from the veranda overlooking a huge garden; 800 yen; 10:00-17:00; Tel: 751-0446.
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 (there are only a few works on each floor), and a roof-top moss garden with a lovely maple tree; 1,000 yen; 10:00-17:30 (entry until 17:00), closed Mon.; Tel: 525-1311.
Tetsuo Ishihara Museum of Traditional Japanese Hairstyles
Mr. Ishihara, a kami yui san (old-world Japanese specialty hairdresser), has been styling the hair of geiko/maiko for more than 20 years; this museum displays 115 different hairstyles and over 300 exquisite hair ornaments; all labeled in English; 600 yen; 10:00-17:00, closed Wed.; Tel: 551-9071.
Yasui Kompira Emado Museum
An extraordinary collection of art and prayer painted on wood called ema, a common form of hand-painted shrine votive prayer tablet; there are also two rooms of paintings that show Kyoto before modern times; the shrine is at the beginning (or end) of a fine lane that leads through the backstreets of old, traditional Gion; 500 yen; 10:00-16:00, closed Mon.; Tel: 561-5127.
HEIAN SHRINE AREA
Hosomi Museum
Until 7/25: White Ceramics: truly white, beautiful white ceramic works from the ancient China will be displayed; 1,000 yen; also a fine museum shop and a cafe; 10:00-18:00, closed Mon. (or Tues, if Mon is a natl hol); Tel: 752-5555.
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
Until 9/27: The Louver Museum Exhibition: Master Paintings of 17th Century Europe; 1,500 yen; Permanent: ceramics, sculpture, scrolls, calligraphy; 9:00-17:00 (enter by 16:30), closed Mon. except natl. hols.; Tel: 771-4107.
Museum of Traditional Crafts
Exhibits on all of Kyoto's craft traditions; plus videos and a small library; guidance available in English, Chinese and Korean; for details see on pg.
Namikawa Cloisonne Museum of Kyoto
Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927) was the greatest Japanese modern master of cloisonne (enamelware); set in an extraordinary old building built in 1894; 10:00-16:30; closed Mon., Thurs. & 7/13-9/4, 12/8-3-13; 600 yen; Tel: 752-3277 (only Japanese spoken).
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Until 7/20: Kyoto Studies: City of the Avant-Garde Modernism in Kyoto: in celebration of the130th anniversary of Kyoto Shimbun Newspaper; Permanent: paintings, ceramics, sculpture, prints and photos by Japanese and foreign artists; 9:30-17:00 (enter by 16:30), closed Mon. and the day after natl hols; Tel: 761-4111.
IMPERIAL PALACE AREA
Adachi Kumihimo Gallery
Kumihimo (braided cord) is elegant form of traditional craftsmanship. A wide range of kumihimo from different eras of Japanese history are exhibited. Visitors can try braiding (reservation required); 500 yen; 9:00-16:00; closed Sun., national holidays; 2nd, 3rd, 4th Sat.; Tel: 432-4113.
Raku Museum
Until 8/30: Summer Special Exhibition: masterpiece tea bowls of past Raku masters and the present 15th-generation master, Kichizaemon; 700 yen; 10:00-16:30; closed Mon.; Tel: 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; until 9/6: Retour de Paris: the museum's masterpieces were exhibited in Paris last year and made a great success; this exhibition reviews what was shown in Europe; 800 yen; 10:00-17:00; Tel: 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; an excellent space to escape the downtown rush; quiet cafe/bar on the 1st floor; Tel: 213-1000.
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Japan's first museum dedicated to the world of manga comics: Japanese and from all over the world (over 300,000 manga of all kinds, regions and periods; 50,000 of them can be freely accessed); until 6/7: Moebius au Pays du Manga; Until 7/5: Hamano Yuka; until 8/18: A History of Manga Fanzine [Dojinshi]; for details, see the museum's ad on pg.
Onishi Seiwemon Museum
The Onishi family is one of the few families left in Japan that still make fine iron tea kettles for the Japanese tea ceremony; 10:00-16:30 (enter by 16:00); 700 yen; closed Mon. & between special exhibitions; Tel: 221-2881.
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: 241-0215.
The Museum of Kyoto
Until 7/20: 100th Shirakaba Anniversary: this haute-bourgeois realist/ idealist art and literary movement was active from 1910-1923; an excellent opportunity to see art from Japan's early days of Western cultural experimentation; Craft Gallery (3F): Kyoto art and craft masterworks; and Kyoto archaeological artifacts, local crafts & toys; volunteer English service available (enquire for details); 10:00-19:30 (enter by 19:00), closed Mon. & the day after natl. hols; 500 yen (incl. annex and gallery); Tel: 222-0888.
KYOTO STATION AREA
Costume Museum
Heian period clothing, and furniture, fittings and dolls in miniature palaces; 400 yen; 9:00-17:00, closed Sun. and natl. hols.; 5F Izutsu Bldg; Tel: 342-5345.
Saga/Arashiyama AREA
Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Hall, Shigureden
The Ogura Hyakunin Isshu is an anthology of 100 excellent Japanese poems written by different 100 poets. At this museum, visitors can play a digital version of a popular traditional card game using the poems; 10:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30), closed Mon.; Tel: 882-1111.
Saga Toriimoto Town Preservation Center
The Saga area developed as a town connected to Atago Shrine in the 17th century and there are many traditional style houses in the area's beautiful natural surroundings. At this center, visitors can visitors can see the structure of an old Japanese house up close; 10:00-16:00, closed Mon., Tel: 864-2406.
OTHER AREAS
Kameoka Exchange Center
Kameoka Exchange Center (KEC) hosts a wide range of activities and events related the exchange of culture between Kameoka's citizens and foreign countries. 1) lessons and lectures on multi-cultural topics. 2) Hosting artists and groups from around the world that are interested in studying about Japan. 3) Home-stay programs; for more information see KEC's homepage; 7/4: World Studies: local children will listen to a lecture and play games with foreign residence in Kameoka and learn about international communication; 13:30-15:00; 600 yen; reservation required; Kameoka is just west of Kyoto and can be reached in about 30 minutes on the JR system from Kyoto Station or Nijo Station on the Tozai subway line; free shuttle buses to KEC depart regularly from JR Kameoka Stn., Namikawa Stn., and Chiyokawa Stn; Tel: 0771-26-5001; Fax: 0771-26-5002; main@kkoryu.com
Miho Museum
U ntil 6/7: 8/16: Tales of the Buddhas: the exhibition features historical trace of Buddhism with depth; Permanent: 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; Tel: (0748) 82-3411; also see on pg; the museum will be closed from until 7/10.
Kyoto International Community House
KICH (open 9:00-21:00, closed Mon., unless a national holiday, in which case it is closed on the following day, Tues.) has a wide variety of facilities and services, including an excellent library (open 9:30-20:30, closed Mon.); computer/internet cafe, an excellent notice/ad board section, and free immigration/legal consulting services; Traditional Japanese Arts: enquire; The Way of Sencha: Tue.; 14:00-16:00; enquire; Japanese Classes: Fri.; beginners: 13:00-15:00, 18:00-20:00; intermediate: 15:30-17:30; enquire; Tel: 752-3511; http://www.kcif.or.jp/en/
Noh & Kyogen Theater
Slow and stately, Noh is an exquisite art form. Comical Kyogen developed as a way to provide comic relief between Noh scenes or plays. English summarises area often provided at the door.
Kanze Noh Theatre
7/12: Summer Special Noh Performance: from 10:30; 5,500 yen
6/25: Inoue Regular Performance: from 13:00; 4,000 yen; Tel: 075-771-6114
Kongo Noh Theatre
7/26: Kongo Regular Noh Performance: from 10:30; 6,000 yen; Tel: 441-7222
2009 July
Published on the 1st
of every month.
The 233th issue, since 1987.