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Kyoto National Museum

ArtHistoryArchaeologyOpen until 8pmFrom £700Shichijo Station (Keihan Line), 7 min walk

Opened in 1897 as the Imperial Museum of Kyoto, the Kyoto National Museum collects and exhibits pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art, from Buddhist sculpture and illustrated handscrolls to ceramics, calligraphy, textiles and archaeology, including many works on long-term loan from Kyoto's temples and shrines. Exhibitions are held in the Heisei Chishinkan Wing designed by Taniguchi Yoshio, where rotating collection galleries alternate with large special exhibitions. Katayama Tokuma's French Renaissance-style Meiji Kotokan Hall, an Important Cultural Property, anchors the gardens, which hold outdoor exhibits including an early cast of Rodin's The Thinker.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0931, Japan

Nearest station: Shichijo Station (Keihan Line), 7 min walk, Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae bus stop (City Bus 206/208 from Kyoto Station), Kyoto Station (JR, Subway)

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Hours

Special exhibition hours 6 October – 29 November, 09:00–17:30

Special exhibition hours, late opening 6 October – 29 November, 09:00–20:00

Open on national holiday 12 October, 09:00–17:30

Closed 13 October

Closed

MonClosed
Tue09:30–17:00
Wed09:30–17:00
Thu09:30–17:00
FriToday09:30–20:00
Sat09:30–17:00
Sun09:30–17:00

Admission

From £700

700 yen covers the Collection Exhibitions (university students 350 yen). Gardens-only periods 300 yen. Special exhibitions are ticketed separately (e.g. The Tale of Genji: 2,200 yen). Collection galleries and gardens free for under-18s, over-70s and visitors with disabilities plus one carer.

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Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art

Kahitsukan – Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art

Art19 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Kyoto National Museum cost?
Standard adult admission to Kyoto National Museum is £700. 700 yen covers the Collection Exhibitions (university students 350 yen). Gardens-only periods 300 yen. Special exhibitions are ticketed separately (e.g. The Tale of Genji: 2,200 yen). Collection galleries and gardens free for under-18s, over-70s and visitors with disabilities plus one carer.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Kyoto National Museum?
Kyoto National Museum is open Tue-Sun 9:30-17:00, Fridays until 20:00 (last entry 30 min before closing). Closed Mondays; when Monday is a national holiday it opens and closes the following Tuesday. During special exhibitions hours are 9:00-17:30 (Fri 9:00-20:00). Galleries closed for re-installation 7 Sep-5 Oct 2026 (gardens and outdoor exhibits only, 300 yen, 8 Sep-4 Oct); gardens-only again 1-20 Dec 2026 and 24 Mar-18 Apr 2027. Closed 28 Dec 2026-1 Jan 2027.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Kyoto National Museum?
Kyoto National Museum is located at 527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0931, Japan, in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto. The nearest stations are Shichijo Station (Keihan Line), 7 min walk, Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae bus stop (City Bus 206/208 from Kyoto Station), Kyoto Station (JR, Subway).
What can I see at Kyoto National Museum?
Japan's great treasury of pre-modern Japanese and Asian art, behind a red-brick Meiji palace across from Sanjusangendo Current highlights include The Tale of Genji: Radiant Culture of the Japanese Imperial Court, Goats and Lambs, Ewes and Rams: Celebrating the Year of the Sheep, Layered Histories: Renowned Tea Utensils and Their Boxes.
Do I need to book Kyoto National Museum 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 Kyoto National Museum?
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.

Chainwit. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

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