General museum

This is the largest museum in Kyoto and has a history dating back over 100 years (opened in 1897).
The Special Exhibition Hall is a western-style brick building that was built in 1895 around the time the museum was opened. It was designed by Tokuma Katayama who also designed the Akasaka Palace, Tokyo (now the State Guest House) and part of the Tokyo National Museum.
The museum's regular exhibitions feature collections of work, covering a wide variety of themes ranging from Japanese to Western art.
* Renovation work is currently ongoing at the Collections Hall. It is due to be opened in 2013.

The Collections

The collection mainly features works of art from East Asia such as Japan and China. A wide variety of precious works are covered ranging from materials of archaeological value to Buddhist sculptures, pottery, paintings, books, armor and arms such as swords, and clothing.
There is also a large collection of national treasures, important cultural properties, and precious works donated by temples and shrines in Japan.
Sculptures and stone construction artworks including Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" are exhibited in the museum's garden outside.

 

 

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Opposite the museum is Kyoto's famous Sanjusangen-do Temple, which is enshrined with 1,000 Buddhist statutes. There are also a large number of historical temples located nearby.

Located in Okazaki-koen Park, this is one of Kyoto's most significant art museums.
It was initially established as the Annex Museum of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo in 1963, but it gained independence as the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto in 1967. It is a modern, glazed building with an indoor observatory floor from where visitors can view the Higashiyama mountain range.
As well as Japanese works of modern art (mainly post 20th century); it has a large collection of modern artworks from the West. The Museum also holds special and permanent exhibitions together with a wide variety of exhibitions covering paintings, crafts, photographs, designs, and modern art.
The Museum sometimes puts on a variety of events including the "MoMAK Films" film screening event, where precious cinematic works from across the world are screened, as well as concerts and workshops relating to the exhibition theme.

The Collections

In addition to paintings of course; it has a wide selection of modern artworks including crafts such as sculptures, pottery, lacquer ware, dyed or woven fabric works; graphic art such as photographs and publicity posters; and cinematic works. Many works are by artists associated with Kyoto or the Kansai region, and there is a collection of masterpieces by masters and famous artists from Japan such as Uemura Shoen, Kitaoji Rosanjin, and Fujiｔa Tsuguharu.
There is also an excellent selection of modern artworks such as "Fountain" by the so-called father of modern art, Marcel Duchamp; photographs by one of the 20th century's most influential photographers, Cartier‐Bresson; and works by one of Japan's leading modern artists, Morimura Yasumasa. A permanent exhibition is held at the "Collection Gallery" on the 4th floor. This takes place six times a year when all the exhibited works are changed.

 

 

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Numerous art museums and galleries are located around Okazaki-koen Park. The Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art is opposite the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, and the Hosomi Museum is also within walking distance. The Heian-jingu Shrine with its large, vermillion torii (Shinto shrine archway) is located nearby. This is a famous spot for cherry blossom trees and is crowded with people in spring. Also, every year on 22nd October, there is a Jidai-matsuri (Festival of the Ages) where there is a procession of people dressed as historical figures from Japan's past. This event also attracts many onlookers.

Located in Okazaki-koen Park, this is one of Kyoto's leading art museums and is the second oldest public art museum in Japan.
Based on Maeda Kenjiro 's designs, it was completed in 1933. The current building remains largely unchanged since the time it was built, and features a unique modern architecture that fuses Japanese and Western culture.
As for its exhibitions, the museum puts on a large-scale planned exhibition with borrowed works from abroad, and holds an exhibition of its collection several times a year. It is also the venue for the "Kyoten" and "Nitten", which are open entry exhibitions for artists across Japan that have been held since 1945.

The Collections

The museum has a collection of approximately 2,300 artworks including Japanese-style paintings, Western paintings, sculptures, crafts, calligraphic works, and woodblock prints dating from the end of the 19th century and the 20th century onwards.
This collection mainly consists of works by artists who originate from Kyoto or whose creative activities were based in Kyoto. The Japanese-style paintings include works by Takeuchi Seiho, Uemura Shoen, and Kikuchi Keigetsu.
This collection is exhibited several times a year. These exhibitions, which select works along unique themes such as "look" and "word", have gained a fine reputation.

 

 

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There are a large number of art museums and galleries around Okazaki-koen Park including the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, which is opposite the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, and the Hosomi Museum, which is within walking distance of the park. At the back of the building is an extensive Japanese‐style garden, which has been developed for over 100 years.

Opened in 1988, this museum provides an easy-to-understand introduction to the history and culture of Kyoto.
Visitors can learn about Kyoto's history and culture from the museum's various exhibits including precious excavated materials and artworks, as well as precision models and replicas. The museum is equipped with a cinema-sized film hall where it screens precious classic and famous films produced mainly in Kyoto.
"Roji Tenpo", on the first floor, a Kyoto street lined with various shops and restaurants from the late Edo period (late 19th century) has been recreated, which is great fun simply to look at.
The neighboring brick-built annex is the former Bank of Japan Kyoto Branch building, which was built in 1906, and it is a nationally designated important cultural property. Well-known as the designer of Tokyo Station, it is one of Tatsuno Kingo's most important works. Exhibitions and concerts are also held at this annex.

The Collections

A wide selection of collected works is exhibited to introduce Kyoto history from the Heian to the Showa periods (8th to 20th century). Exhibited works include materials excavated from ruins within Kyoto city, and precious artworks and historical materials which are nationally designated important cultural properties.
There is a special Gion Festival corner in the exhibition room, which is one of Kyoto's most significant festivals with a history dating back over a thousand years. At this corner, visitors can see Gion Festival-related items at all times. Depending on the period you visit, there are also opportunities to see traditional arts and crafts artisans display their skills.

 

 

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The surrounding area is lined with numerous historical buildings dating back over 100 years, along with lots of designer shops and stylish cafés. The region also has a lot of shops that handle traditional Japanese miscellaneous goods and accessories.

This art museum is located very close to Yasaka-jinja Shrine and mainly handles modern works of art.
The meaning of the art museum's name, "Kahitsukan", is to have a free spirit that always questions the accepted view. The museum's building was produced by Museum Director, Kajikawa, based on the idea that "the gallery space must be something that makes the exhibits placed therein come alive". There is a Japanese garden and a tea ceremony room on the top floor.

The Collections

The collection spans a wide variety of genres including paintings (Japanese-style paintings, oil paintings, etc.), crafts (pottery, dyed or woven fabric works, etc.), photographs, and calligraphy.
Many of the works are by Western artists and the collections are of a high standard.
Excluding times when special exhibitions are being held, the works of Kitaoji Rosanjin (pottery) are exhibited in the basement; the works of Murakami Kagaku (Japanese-style painting) on the 2nd floor; and the works of Yamaguchi Kaoru (oil painting) on the 3rd floor (the basement exhibition room shows the same content even when a special exhibition is being held. The exhibits are changed periodically).
The museum's collection also includes works by foreign artists such as Paul Klee (painting), and Cartier-Bresson and Robert Doisneau (photography). Additionally, the museum has many excellent works by 20th century artists.

 

 

Notes

The museum is located in Kyoto's No.1 bustling area, Gion. While it is busy and lively outside, one step into this tranquil museum will transport you into a world of art where you can lose yourself. It is an art museum with a special atmosphere.Yasaka-jinja Shrine and Maruyama Park are within walking distance.