As the imperial capital and center of court life for over 1000 years, Kyoto has naturally played a central role in the development of Japanese culture. The modern city continues to take pride in its cultural heritage, offering an interesting set of museums devoted to history, arts, crafts and more. A selection of some of the city's most prominent museums is listed below.
Visitors planning to see multiple museums should consider the Kansai Grutto Pass. For 1100 yen, the pass provides free or discounted admission to around 50 museums and galleries in the Kansai Region. It is available annually from early April through January of the following year and is valid for one entry to each participating museum. The pass expires three months from its first use or on March 31, whichever occurs first.
One of four national museums across the country, the Kyoto National Museum focuses on traditional Japanese art. It stages both, exhibitions from its permanent collection and various temporary special exhibitions.
The Museum of Kyoto
5 minute walk southeast of Karasuma-Oike Station Hours: 10:00 to 19:30 (entry until 19:00) Closed: Mondays (or following day if Mon is a national holiday), New Year Admission: 500 yen (permanent exhibition)
This museum offers an attractive permanent exhibition about the history of Kyoto, although its floor space is relatively small, and information in English is limited, making it difficult to fully appreciate without Japanese reading skills. In addition, special exhibitions with a separate admission fee are held periodically.
Arts and crafts
Raku Museum
About 15 min from Imadegawa Station Hours: 10:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00) Closed: Mondays (except national holidays) and between exhibitions Admission: Varies depending on exhibition, typically 700-1000 yen
The Raku Museum features pottery created using Raku family techniques and traditions. Many of the ceramic works are related to the tea ceremony, especially tea bowls, but also vases and water vessels. The family put down roots in the location of the museum in the Momoyama Period and was favored by tea master Sen no Rikyu.
Horikawa-Imadegawa bus stop or 10 minute walk from Imadegawa Station Hours: 10:00 to 16:00 Closed: Mondays (or next day if Mon is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 3 Admission: Free
Nishijin Textile Center (Nishijin-ori Kaikan), named after the city district and local kimono weaving technique, offers interesting displays on kimono. A kimono show is held several times a day, and various hand-on experiences are offered (advance reservations required). Last but not least, there is a large shopping section.
Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
Near Heian Shrine Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays) Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year Admission: 430 yen (does not include special exhibition fee, which varies)
Often referred to by its initials, MOMAK, the Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto changes the works on display from its permanent collection every couple of months. There are also special exhibitions organized in conjunction with other museums or groups. The museum building itself is a modern construction that was completed in 1986.
Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art
Near Heian Shrine Hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (entry until 17:30) Closed: Mondays (except national holidays), Dec 28 to Jan 2 Admission: 730 yen (collection), fees for special exhibitions vary
Located across from MOMAK near Heian Shrine, this city-operated art museum was opened in the 1930s to celebrate the enthronement of the new emperor. It underwent major renovations from 2017 to 2020 and renamed to reflect the financial support by the Kyoto-based Kyocera company. The large brick building has a lot of floor space and stages both exhibitions from its collection centered around art by Kyoto artists and a variety of special exhibitions.
Next to Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station or 20 minute walk from Kyoto Station Hours: 10:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Wednesdays (except holidays), Dec 30 to Jan 1 Admission: 1200 yen
Opened in 2016 by JR West, this is one of Japan's three great railway museums alongside JR East's Railway Museum in Saitama and JR Central's SCMAGLEV and Railway Park in Nagoya. It covers the history of railways from steam locomotives to the shinkansen.
Lake Biwa Canal Museum
500 meters east of the museums in front of Heian Shrine Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Mondays (or next day if Mon is a holiday), Dec 29 to Jan 3 Admission: Free
This interesting museum is dedicated to the construction of the seven kilometer long Lake Biwa Canal, which runs between Kyoto and Biwa Lake to the east. The canal was a massive project in the late 1800s to improve transportation and provide Kyoto with additional water. The museum displays maps, models and tools.
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
About 10 min from Chushojima or Momoyama Goryo-mae Stations Hours: 9:30 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00) Closed: New Year and Obon holidays Admission: 600 yen
Gekkeikan is one of the largest sake companies in Japan. The Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum was established in Fushimi, the same area as the company's original brewery, and displays traditional tools and methods of sake brewing. There is a sake tasting at the end of a visit to the museum.
5 min from Uzumasa-Koryuji Station, 15 min from Hanazono Station Hours: Typically from 9:00 or 10:00 until 17:00 Closed: Irregularly closed for maintenance Admission: 2400 yen
The Eigamura is part of the Toei film studios in Kyoto. It also serves as a theme park, where visitors can see first hand the sets that are used to film popular movies and TV dramas set in the feudal ages.
Just beside Karasuma-Oike Station Hours: 10:30 to 17:30 (entry until 17:00) Closed: Tue and Wed (or next day in case of national holidays), New Year Admission: 900 yen (special exhibitions not included)
The Kyoto International Manga Museum serves as both a facility for manga research and an exhibition space. The museum has a massive collection of manga that can be browsed by guests, and there are also special exhibitions on themes related to international manga.
A little, superior ryokan right near Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. Free transfer from JR station. Private bath and open-air baths available. 5min walk to the Bamboo Groves.
A friendly Japanese hotel near Nishi Honganji temple. 5min by taxi from JR Kyoto Sta. Enjoy your stay with the Japanese room and communal baths. Free Wi-Fi & parking lot.
A traditional hotel with spacious rooms and high speed Wi-Fi. Conveniently located in the heart of Kyoto city. 3min to Shijo Karasuma Sta. and 5min to the famous Nishiki Market.
Mugen is a property that was built 160 years ago, situated in Kyoto, 1 km from Nijo Castle. Every room at Mugen features an en suite shower room, toilet, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. You will find a shared lounge on site and a bar at the annex building. The ryokan also offers bike hire. Imperial Palace is 1.1 km from Mugen, while Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is 1.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.
Located in Kyoto, this traditional Japanese guest house features free Wi-Fi and a free public computer. Shichijo Onmae bus stop is 3 minutesf walk away. A seating area and shared bathroom are provided with each room at Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASS. Free toiletries are provided and blankets are available upon request. Select rooms have a garden view. A shared living area and bicycles are available for guestsf use during their stay at this Kyoto Guesthouse Compass. Access to the shared kitchen is available upon request. The guest house is 4.5 km from Imperial Palace and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. Nijo Castle and Toji Castle are within a 30 minutesf bus ride away.
Ryokan Tori is located in Kyoto, 2 km from Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. The property is around 2.3 km from Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. The property is 3.2 km from Kinkaku-ji Temple and 3.7 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. All guest rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. Each room has a shared bathroom, while selected rooms are fitted with a balcony and others also offer a garden view. All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at tori can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Heian Shrine is 5 km from the accommodation. Itami Airport is 50 km from the property.
Guesthouse Engawa offers accommodation in Kyoto. Guests can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of Kyoto in their rooms. Each comes with a flat-screen TV, and an electric kettle will be provided upon request. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. Free toiletries and hairdryers are also available. There is luggage storage space at the property. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is 600 metres from Guesthouse Engawa, while Heian Shrine is 2.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Osaka Itami Airport, 39 km from the property.
Gallery Nozawa Inn offers accommodation in Kyoto, 25 minutes on foot from JR Kyoto Station. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Every room includes a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. Each room is equipped with a private toilet, and bathrooms are shared. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer. There is luggage storage space at the property. Guests can sample Japanese-style breakfast featuring seasonal ingredients. There is a public bathhouse located a 10-minute walk away. Nijo Castle is 2.4 km from Gallery Nozawa Inn, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.4 km from the property. Osaka Itami Airport is 36 km away.
Set in the Nakagyo Ward district in Kyoto, Kyonoyado Gekkoan offers an equipped accommodation with an balcony and free WiFi. The property is 1.1 km from Nijo Castle. This holiday home comes with a kitchenette with a microwave and a toaster, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and a bathroom with a bath. A vegetarian or continental breakfast is available daily at the property. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.1 km from the holiday home. Osaka Itami Airport is 37 km from the property.
Featuring 3-star accommodation, Kyono Mori Yurinsha is set in Kyoto, 1.7 km from Sanjusangen-do Temple and 1 km from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. The property is 1.1 km from Gion Shijo Station, and within 1.7 km of the city centre. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. Featuring a private bathroom with a bath and a hairdryer, rooms at the inn also have a city view. At Kyono Mori Yurinsha all rooms have bed linen and towels. An ? la carte, continental or vegetarian breakfast can be enjoyed at the property. The accommodation provides an ironing service, as well as business facilities like fax and photocopying. Popular points of interest near Kyono Mori Yurinsha include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, TKP Garden City Kyoto and Samurai Kembu Kyoto. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 45 km from the inn.
Featuring a garden, a terrace as well as a bar, Yado Kiramachi is set in the centre of Kyoto, 600 metres from Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. The property is around 1.6 km from Gion Shijo Station, 2.1 km from Nijo Castle and 2.2 km from Kyoto Station. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.3 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. Featuring a private bathroom, rooms at the ryokan also have free WiFi, while selected rooms will provide you with a balcony. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at Yado Kiramachi. TKP Garden City Kyoto is 2.3 km from the accommodation, while Samurai Kembu Kyoto is 2.5 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 45 km from Yado Kiramachi.
Well set in the centre of Kyoto, Guest House Oumi provides air-conditioned rooms, a garden, free WiFi and a shared lounge. This 2-star guest house offers a shared kitchen and room service. The property is non-smoking and is located 1.2 km from Nijo Castle. All units include a shared bathroom, free toiletries and bed linen. A continental breakfast is available daily at the guest house. Guest House Oumi offers a terrace. Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.2 km from the accommodation, while Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall is 2.9 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 46 km from Guest House Oumi.
Well located in Kyoto, Hotel Muso provides 3-star accommodation close to Gion Shijo Station and Kyoto Shigaku Kaikan Conference Hall. This 3-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. Providing free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel features a hot tub. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Rooms come with a kettle, while selected rooms come with a kitchen with a microwave, a minibar and a stovetop. At Hotel Muso each room has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Sanjusangen-do Temple, Samurai Kembu Kyoto and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 45 km from Hotel Muso.
