Discover Kyoto’s best museums!
- Published on : 03/06/2026
- by : Phoebe
- Youtube
The halls of the costume museum
Flickr Shih Chi Chiang
As the beating heart of Japanese traditions, Kyoto reveals its history not only through its temples, but also through its museums. Far from being frozen in the past, the former capital brings together centuries-old craftsmanship and contemporary architecture. From the art of silk weaving to manga classics, discover nine must-visit museums and explore Kyoto with Japan Experience!
Kyoto National Museum
A true guardian of Japan’s artistic heritage, the Kyoto National Museum houses more than 12,000 pre-modern artworks. Its highlights include an outstanding collection of wooden Buddhist sculptures and painted scrolls, many of which are designated National Treasures. The museum also offers a fascinating architectural contrast between its historic red-brick Meiji-era Main Hall (19th century) and the sleek contemporary exhibition wing designed by renowned architect Yoshio Taniguchi.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: 527 Chayamachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0931
Opening Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (last admission at 5:00 p.m.). Closed on Mondays.
Musée National de Kyoto
@Japan Experience
Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art
Originally opened in the 1930s, the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art is one of Japan’s oldest municipal art museums. It showcases the richness of Kyoto’s artistic heritage, with its permanent collection of Nihonga-style paintings as a particular highlight. The museum is also a visual attraction in its own, blending its original imperial-inspired architecture with contemporary additions, including the striking Glass Ribbon entrance and the Japanese garden located behind the building.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: 124 Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8344
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (last admission at 5:30 p.m.). Closed on Mondays.
Musée d'Art Kyocera de la Ville de Kyoto
@Japan Experience
Musée d'Art Kyocera de la Ville de Kyoto
@Japan Experience
From Tokyo to Naoshima, discover Japan through the eyes of its greatest architects with our Art & Architecture tour.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK)
Located directly across from the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, MoMAK focuses on the development of modern and contemporary art in Japan. Its highlights include an impressive collection of modern paintings from the Kyoto School and galleries dedicated to avant-garde craftsmanship, featuring groundbreaking Japanese ceramics, modern jewelry, and exceptional textile works. One of the museum’s most memorable experiences is taking in the panoramic view from its large picture window, which overlooks the striking vermilion torii gate of Heian Shrine.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: 26-1 Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8344
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays). Closed on Mondays.
Musée National d'Art Moderne de Kyoto (MoMAK)
@Japan Experience
Musée National d'Art Moderne de Kyoto (MoMAK)
@Japan Experience
Kyoto Railway Museum
A true showcase of Japan’s transportation technology, the Kyoto Railway Museum traces the country’s rapid modernization through the history of its rail network, from early coal-powered locomotives to high-speed Shinkansen trains. One of the museum’s standout attractions is its historic roundhouse, home to 20 preserved steam locomotives, alongside the opportunity to step aboard a first-generation Shinkansen. Visitors can also try ultra-realistic train driving simulators, similar to those used in the training of professional railway operators.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: Kankijicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8835
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (last admission at 5:00 p.m.). Closed on Wednesdays.
Musée Ferroviaire de Kyoto
@Wikimedia
Looking for an affordable way to explore Japan? Travel freely across the country with our rail passes!
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Created through a partnership between the City of Kyoto and Kyoto Seika University, the Kyoto International Manga Museum is a vibrant celebration of Japanese pop culture, housed within the nostalgic setting of a former elementary school. Its signature attraction is the legendary “Wall of Manga,” a massive open-access library containing around 50,000 volumes, which visitors can enjoy while relaxing on the schoolyard lawn. The museum also stands out for its international collection, featuring many works translated into French and other languages, as well as its weekend events, where professional manga artists create illustrations and comic pages live in front of visitors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: 452 Kinbuki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0846
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.). Closed on Wednesdays.
Musée International du Manga de Kyoto
@Wikimedia
Passionate about Japanese pop culture? Discover Japan your way with our themed tours and immersive activities!
Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design
This museum offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of Kyoto’s traditional crafts, showcasing the city’s 74 officially recognized categories of traditional craftsmanship. The highlight of any visit is its live demonstrations, where skilled master artisans can be seen weaving silk, applying lacquer, crafting folding fans, and practicing other time-honored techniques that have shaped Kyoto’s cultural identity for centuries.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: 9-1 Okazaki Seishoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8343 (Basement level of Miyakomesse)
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (last admission at 5:30 p.m.). Closing days vary, typically two Mondays per month.
Musée de l'Artisanat Traditionnel de Kyoto
@airial.travel, libre de droit
Discover Japan’s rich artisanal heritage with Japan Experience!
Namikawa Cloisonné Museum of Kyoto
This intimate museum is housed in the former residence of Namikawa Yasuyuki, one of Japan’s greatest masters of cloisonné enamelware. Step inside this beautifully preserved historic home, where the living quarters connect directly to the workshop where the artist fused glass and metal to create his celebrated enamel pieces. As you examine the displays, you'll discover floral motifs of astonishing precision, so delicate they appear to have been painted with a single brush hair. The visit concludes beside the pond of the traditional garden, designed by renowned landscape architect Ogawa Jihei, where the gentle sound of flowing water and the tranquil setting invite quiet contemplation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: 388 Horiike-cho, Sanjo-dori Shirakawa-bashi Nishi-iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0028
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (last admission at 4:00 p.m.). Closed on Mondays and Thursdays.
Musée Namikawa Cloisonné de Kyoto
@Japan Experience
Musée Namikawa Cloisonné de Kyoto
@Japan Experience
The Costume Museum of Kyoto
This fascinating museum offers a unique insight into the history of Japanese fashion, with a particular focus on the Heian period (8th–12th centuries), renowned for its vibrant textiles and refined court culture. The museum’s centerpiece is a remarkable quarter-scale model of an imperial palace, populated by dolls dressed in miniature reproductions of period costumes and depicting scenes from the classic literary masterpiece The Tale of Genji. It is an ideal place to discover the intricacies of court attire, including the famous junihitoe—the elaborate twelve-layered robe worn by noblewomen—and the sophisticated dress codes of the imperial court.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: 5F Izutsu Building, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8468 (near Nishi Hongan-ji Temple)
Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed on Sundays and public holidays (and occasionally during seasonal exhibition changes; please check in advance).
Shown doll playing hentsugi
Flickr Shih Chi Chiang
Costume Museum Dolls
Flickr Shih Chi Chiang
Slip into a silk kimono and discover Kyoto in style!
Ryukoku Museum
Located directly across from Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, the Ryukoku Museum was Japan’s first museum dedicated entirely to the history and culture of Buddhism. Through a modern and engaging approach that incorporates digital installations and interactive exhibits, it explores the origins of Buddhism and its spread across Asia. One of the museum’s most impressive features is its life-sized immersive digital recreation of the Bezeklik Caves along the Silk Road, offering visitors a striking journey through time and one of Buddhism’s most important cultural crossroads.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Address: 117-1 Shotoku-cho, Shichijo-dori Omiya-nishi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8399
Opening Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.). Closed on Mondays.
Musée Ryukoku (Kyoto)
@Japan Experience
Musée Ryukoku (Kyoto)
@Japan Experience
Want to learn more about Japan? Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram!
