Museum & venue · Kyoto
Kyoto National Museum
京都国立博物館
The Kyoto National Museum has guarded the treasures of Kyoto's temples, shrines and imperial court since 1897. Its collection of paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics and textiles includes many National Treasures, some deposited here by the temples themselves.
The red-brick Meiji-era hall and its garden set the tone, while the modern Heisei Chishinkan Wing holds the galleries. Visits feel unhurried outside big shows; autumn 2026 brings a major Tale of Genji exhibition.
What to see and do
Bright modern galleries showing rotating collection displays of Buddhist art, painting and crafts.
The 1897 Meiji-era building and front garden are a sight in themselves.
A special exhibition on the imperial court culture of Genji, 6 Oct–29 Nov 2026.
From 22 Dec 2026, displays on tea utensils and their boxes, the Year of the Sheep and, from February, the Doll Festival.
What’s on
Good to know
- Check dates before you go: the galleries close between exhibitions, including 7 Sep–5 Oct 2026.
- Friday evening opening is the quietest time during the Genji show.
More art nearby
Nicholas & Debra Jewell · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsKawai Kanjiro’s House
The home and climbing kiln of a folk-craft potter, kept the way he left it.
Kakidai · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMinamiza
Kabuki started on this riverbank in the early 1600s. Minamiza is Japan’s oldest kabuki theatre.
663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsGion Corner
Seven traditional arts on one stage in an hour: tea ceremony, koto, flower arranging, kyogen, bunraku and maiko dance.
663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMiyako Odori
Every April, geiko and maiko of Gion dance a spring programme on stage.