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Ryukoku Museum

ArtHistoryClosed todayFrom £1200Kyoto Station (JR, Kintetsu, Karasuma Line) – approx. 12 min walk

Opened in 2011 by Ryukoku University, a Jodo Shinshu university, the Ryukoku Museum traces Buddhism from its birth in India across Asia to Japan. It stages seasonal special exhibitions of temple treasures alongside a recurring series exhibition on Buddhist thought and culture. A highlight is a full-scale digital recreation of the 11th-century corridor murals of Bezeklik Cave 15 near Turpan. The museum closes between exhibitions, so check the schedule before visiting.

What's On

Now
Oct
Nov
Dec

Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

117 Nishinakasuji-dori Shomen Sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8399, Japan

Nearest station: Kyoto Station (JR, Kintetsu, Karasuma Line) – approx. 12 min walk, Nishi Honganji-mae bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 9, 28, 75) – approx. 2 min walk

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Hours

Closed until 18 September

Closed between exhibitions

Closed 24 September

Closed

Closed 13 October

Closed

MonClosed
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
Thu10:00–17:00
FriToday10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–17:00
Sun10:00–17:00

Admission

From £1200

Price set per exhibition. Autumn 2026 exhibition: adults ¥1,200 (advance/groups ¥1,000), high school & university ¥600, elementary & junior high ¥300, under school age free. Series exhibitions: adults ¥550, seniors 65+ ¥450, university ¥400, high school ¥300, junior high and under free. Visitors with a disability certificate plus one carer free.

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Visitor Information

How much does Ryukoku Museum cost?
Standard adult admission to Ryukoku Museum is £1200. Price set per exhibition. Autumn 2026 exhibition: adults ¥1,200 (advance/groups ¥1,000), high school & university ¥600, elementary & junior high ¥300, under school age free. Series exhibitions: adults ¥550, seniors 65+ ¥450, university ¥400, high school ¥300, junior high and under free. Visitors with a disability certificate plus one carer free.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Ryukoku Museum?
Ryukoku Museum is open Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed Mondays (open on national holidays, closed the following weekday). Open only during exhibitions: closed until 18 Sep 2026, also 24 Sep and 13 Oct 2026, 24 Nov 2026–8 Jan 2027, and 22 Feb–31 Mar 2027.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Ryukoku Museum?
Ryukoku Museum is located at 117 Nishinakasuji-dori Shomen Sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8399, Japan, in the Nishi Honganji / Horikawa area of Kyoto. The nearest stations are Kyoto Station (JR, Kintetsu, Karasuma Line) – approx. 12 min walk, Nishi Honganji-mae bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 9, 28, 75) – approx. 2 min walk.
What can I see at Ryukoku Museum?
Buddhist art from India to Japan, with a life-size recreation of Silk Road cave murals, opposite Nishi Honganji Current highlights include Come One, Come All! Higashi-Mikawa's Fumonji Temple, Bezeklik Cave Temples Restoration Exhibit.
Do I need to book Ryukoku 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 Ryukoku 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.

663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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