Exhibitions in Kyoto
April 2027
April at a glance: 2 exhibitions opening, 4 closing, and 4 more on view across the city.
Opening in April
The Great Kano School: Master Painters of Japan20 Apr 2027Kyoto National Museum
130th-anniversary retrospective of Japan's dominant painting dynasty. Part I Muromachi-Momoyama (20 Apr-30 May), Part II Edo-Meiji (8 Jun-19 Jul 2027).
- Buddhas and Gods of the Hot-Spring Towns: The Art of Onsen and Yakushi Worship24 Apr 2027
Ryukoku Museum
Spring special exhibition (provisional title) of over 100 Buddhist statues, paintings, kami images, temple-origin scrolls and offerings from onsen temples and shrines around the Kinki region.
Closing in April
Medalist Exhibition11 Apr 2027The Museum of Kyoto
Figure-skating manga and anime Medalist by Tsurumaikada: new illustrations, famous scenes from the manga, recreated settings and highlights from the TV anime.
Fujino Yumiko18 Apr 2027Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of ArtFree
Free show in The Triangle: free-standing nihonga by Fujino Yumiko, drawing on research into abandoned houses to layer time and memory in space.
- Arai Kinya and Kyoto18 Apr 2027
The Museum of Kyoto
60 years after his death, early paintings and ceramics by Arai Kinya (1884-1966), who turned from Western-style painting to pottery in Kyoto.
- Kyoto Prefecture × Kyoto City Designated Cultural Properties Selection 2027: Gifts for the Future18 Apr 2027
The Museum of Kyoto
Recently designated and newly restored cultural properties of Kyoto Prefecture and City, with the stories of their owners and restorers.
Also on through April
Raphaël Zarka—Geometry, Time and Skateboardingto 5 May 2027Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art
First major Japan solo show of Paris artist Raphaël Zarka: sculpture, photography and video on geometry and skateboarding, plus new work made in Kyoto.
The Beauty of Silk, the Art of Weaving: Yamaguchi Itaro and the Tale of Genji Brocade Scrolls (provisional title)to 9 May 2027Hosomi Museum
Nishijin weaver Yamaguchi Itaro's woven picture scrolls of The Tale of Genji, a decades-long feat of silk brocade.
Timeless Code Today ⇔ Edoto 6 Jun 2027Fukuda Art Museum
Works by Yayoi Kusama, Yoshitomo Nara and Izumi Kato hang beside Edo masters Jakuchū, Ike no Taiga and Ōkyo, from the museum's new contemporary collection.
Takehisa Yumeji: All You Need to Knowto 11 Jul 2027Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture
An introduction to the Taishō-era painter and designer: Yumeji-style beauties, six of his rare oil paintings, book covers and chiyogami, plus his Twelve Views of Nagasaki and Ten Themes of Woman watercolour series.
Opening in May 2027
Image credits
8
- The Great Kano School: Master Painters of JapanCourtesy of Kyoto National Museum
- Medalist ExhibitionCourtesy of The Museum of Kyoto
- Fujino YumikoPhoto: Mitsushige Kida
- Raphaël Zarka—Geometry, Time and SkateboardingCourtesy the artist and galerie Mitterrand, Paris. Photo: Nacása & Partners Inc. / Fondation d'entreprise Hermès © Raphaël Zarka / ADAGP, 2026
- The Beauty of Silk, the Art of Weaving: Yamaguchi Itaro and the Tale of Genji Brocade Scrolls (provisional title)Courtesy of Hosomi Museum
- Timeless Code Today ⇔ EdoCourtesy of Fukuda Art Museum
- Takehisa Yumeji: All You Need to KnowCourtesy of Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture
- GILBERT & GEORGE ART EXHIBITIONPhoto: Tom Oldham
Stay in the loop on Kyoto
A short note now and then when something new opens worth your time.