Opened in 1897, the Kyoto National Museum (‹ž“s‘—§”Ž•¨ŠÙ, Kyōto Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan) is one of Japan's oldest museums and one of only four top-level national museums alongside the Tokyo National Museum, Nara National Museum and Kyushu National Museum.
Currently all of the museum's exhibitions are held at the Heisei Chishinkan, a modern building opened in 2014 and designed by Taniguchi Yoshio who is also known for the Horyuji Homotsukan at the Tokyo National Museum, the Mimoca Art Museum in Marugame and his redesign of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The museum's Meiji Kotokan, a beautiful redbrick building from the Meiji Period (1868-1912) is currently undergoing renovation works and is not open to the public.
Exhibitions from the museum's permanent collection are currently being held only during short periods of the year and display a wide variety of cultural properties, including archaeological relics, sculptures, ceramics, calligraphy, costumes and paintings. During most of the rest of the year, the museum is used to stage special exhibitions on various themes. In between exhibitions, only the museum garden is open to the public.
Getting there and around
The Kyoto National Museum is located across the street from Sanjusangendo, next to the Hakubutsukan-Sanjusangendo-mae bus stop (10 minutes, 230 yen from Kyoto Station by bus numbers 100, 206 or 208). Alternatively, the museum can be reached in a five minute walk from Shichijo Station along the Keihan Line or in a 20-25 minute walk from Kyoto Station.
How to get to and around Kyoto
Hours and Fees
Hours
During special exhibitions: 9:00 to 17:30 (until 20:00 on Fri and Sat)
During regular exhibitions and between exhibitions: 9:30 to 17:00
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.
During regular exhibitions and between exhibitions: 9:30 to 17:00
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing.
Closed
Admission
Regular exhibition from the collection: 700 yen
Special exhibitions: admission varies, typically around 1500 yen
Garden only (between exhibitions): 300 yen
Special exhibitions: admission varies, typically around 1500 yen
Garden only (between exhibitions): 300 yen
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Kyoto
Top rated in Kyoto
powered by
Budget:
-
-
![]()
Guesthouse KYOTO COMPASSLocated 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.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Guest House OumiWell set in the centre of Kyoto, Guest House Oumi provides air-conditioned rooms, a shared lounge, free WiFi and a garden. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen and room service for guests. All units include a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. A continental breakfast is available daily at the guest house. Nijo Castle is less than 1 km from Guest House Oumi, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.2 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 48 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Ryokan Mugen (Adult Only)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.View on Booking.com -
![]()
GLANZ KEI Kyoto StationSituated in Kyoto, 1.5 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto and 2.7 km from the centre, GLANZ KEI Kyoto Station features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a shared lounge. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with bidet and slippers. A fridge and stovetop are also available, as well as a kettle. The aparthotel provides a laundry service, as well as business facilities like fax and photocopying. Sanjusangen-do Temple is 2.1 km from GLANZ KEI Kyoto Station, while Tofuku-ji Temple is 2.3 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 45 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Hotel MusoWell located in the Shimogyo Ward district of Kyoto, Hotel Muso is located 1.8 km from Sanjusangen-do Temple, 1.9 km from Samurai Kembu Kyoto and 2 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto. This 3-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The accommodation provides a hot tub, free WiFi throughout the property and family rooms. The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a coffee machine. Each room has a kettle and a private bathroom with a bidet and slippers, while selected rooms come with a kitchen equipped with a stovetop. Guest rooms will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Kiyomizu-dera Temple is 2 km from Hotel Muso, while Kyoto International Manga Museum is 2.2 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 48 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Kyoto Shijo Takakura Hotel GrandereverieIdeally situated in the Shimogyo Ward district of Kyoto, Kyoto Shijo Takakura Hotel Grandereverie is situated 1.3 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1.9 km from Samurai Kembu Kyoto and 2.3 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel has family rooms. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Kyoto Shijo Takakura Hotel Grandereverie the rooms have bed linen and towels. An American breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Kyoto Shijo Takakura Hotel Grandereverie offers a terrace. Shoren-in Temple is 2.7 km from the hotel, while Nijo Castle is 2.8 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 48 km from Kyoto Shijo Takakura Hotel Grandereverie.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Kyono Mori YurinshaSet in Kyoto, 1.5 km from Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kyono Mori Yurinsha features a bar and views of the city. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi. Local points of interest like Kyoto International Manga Museum and Shoren-in Temple are reachable within 2.6 km and 2.8 km, respectively. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a microwave, a kettle, a shower, slippers and a desk. The rooms feature a private bathroom, a hairdryer and bed linen. Guests at the inn can enjoy a ? la carte or a vegetarian breakfast. Kyono Mori Yurinsha provides an ironing service, as well as business facilities like fax and photocopying. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, TKP Garden City Kyoto and Samurai Kembu Kyoto. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 47 km from Kyono Mori Yurinsha.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Miru Kyoto NishikiConveniently situated in the Nakagyo Ward district of Kyoto, Miru Kyoto Nishiki is located 1 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1.8 km from Samurai Kembu Kyoto and 2.5 km from Nijo Castle. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property is 3 km from TKP Garden City Kyoto and 3.3 km from Sanjusangen-do Temple. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Miru Kyoto Nishiki each room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Shoren-in Temple is 2.6 km from the accommodation, while Heian Shrine is 2.7 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 49 km from Miru Kyoto Nishiki.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Nagi Kyoto ShijoOffering air-conditioned rooms in the Nakagyo Ward district of Kyoto, Nagi Kyoto Shijo is 1.4 km from Kyoto International Manga Museum. Among the facilities at this property are a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The rooms include a balcony. At the hotel, the rooms have a wardrobe. At Nagi Kyoto Shijo all rooms have a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Nijo Castle is 1.8 km from Nagi Kyoto Shijo, while TKP Garden City Kyoto is 2.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 47 km from the hotel.View on Booking.com -
![]()
Ryokan ShimizuAbout a 7-minute walk from JR Kyoto Train Station and a 3-minute walk to Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple, Ryokan Shimizu is a non-smoking property that provides air-conditioned Japanese rooms with free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom. Rental bicycles are available at an additional charge. Guests at Shimizu Ryokan can experience traditional Japanese-style sleeping arrangements, with futon bedding on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. Rooms include a TV, a fridge and a tea maker. The en suite bath has toiletries. Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple is a 5-minute walk away, while Gojo Subway Station is a 10-minute walk. Sanjusangen-do Temple is 2 km away. On-site parking is possible, for a fee. Housed in a traditional gmachiya-zukurih building, the hotel includes a small garden and a hot bath that can be reserved for private use.View on Booking.com
-
