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Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art

ArtPhotographyOpen until 6pmFrom £1500Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line), 3 min walk

Founded in 1981 by collector Yoshitomo Kajikawa, the Kahitsukan takes its name from a phrase meaning "why must it be so?", a reminder to doubt received ideas. Its collection centres on the Nihonga painter Kagaku Murakami, the oil painter Kaoru Yamaguchi and the potter, calligrapher and gourmet Rosanjin Kitaoji, whose works fill a dedicated basement room. Spring and autumn special exhibitions range from modern Japanese art to photographers such as Cartier-Bresson, Doisneau and Michael Kenna. The building, designed by Kajikawa, climbs from basement to a fifth-floor tea room around a sunlit garden open to the sky.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

271 Gion-machi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0073, Japan

Nearest station: Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line), 3 min walk, Kyoto-kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line), 5 min walk, Gion bus stop (Kyoto City Bus), 2 min walk

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Hours

Open on national holiday 21 September, 10:00–18:00

MonClosed
Tue10:00–18:00
Wed10:00–18:00
Thu10:00–18:00
FriToday10:00–18:00
Sat10:00–18:00
Sun10:00–18:00

Admission

From £1500

Price set per exhibition: 1,500 yen general / 1,300 yen students for the 2026 calligraphy exhibition. The museum's standing rate is listed as 1,000 yen general / 800 yen students.

Nearby

Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design

Design13 min walk

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK)

Design13 min walk

Hosomi Museum

Design14 min walk

Kawai Kanjiro's House

Architecture14 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art cost?
Standard adult admission to Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art is £1500. Price set per exhibition: 1,500 yen general / 1,300 yen students for the 2026 calligraphy exhibition. The museum's standing rate is listed as 1,000 yen general / 800 yen students.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art?
Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art is open Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:30). Closed Mondays (open when Monday is a national holiday, e.g. 21 Sep 2026), over New Year and between exhibitions while the galleries are re-hung. Hours can vary by exhibition.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art?
Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art is located at 271 Gion-machi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0073, Japan, in the Gion area of Kyoto. The nearest stations are Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line), 3 min walk, Kyoto-kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line), 5 min walk, Gion bus stop (Kyoto City Bus), 2 min walk.
What can I see at Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art?
A private six-floor museum on Gion's Shijo-dori: Rosanjin ceramics, Murakami Kagaku, photography and a sunlit fifth-floor garden Current highlights include Rosanjin Kitaoji Room, Kagaku Murakami Room, Calligraphy by Modern Artists: Kahitsukan Collection.
Do I need to book Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
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