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Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture

ArtLiteratureOpen until 5pmFrom £1000Arashiyama (Randen) - 5 min walk

SAMAC sits by the Ōi River at the foot of Mount Ogura, where Fujiwara no Teika is said to have compiled the Hyakunin Isshu anthology of 100 waka poems 800 years ago. Opened in 2006 as Shigureden with backing from former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi, it was renovated and renamed in 2018. A permanent display traces the anthology from Teika to competitive karuta, while the large upstairs tatami gallery hosts long-running shows of Japanese painting framed by the Arashiyama scenery. Two or three special exhibitions a year; the museum closes between them.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

11 Sagatenryuji-Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8385, Japan

Nearest station: Arashiyama (Randen) - 5 min walk, Arashiyama (Hankyu) - 13 min walk, Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line) - 14 min walk

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Hours

Closed 28 September – 2 October

Closed for exhibition changeover

Mon10:00–17:00
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 £1000

High school 600 yen; elementary/junior high 400 yen; disabled visitor + 1 helper 600 yen each; under-7s free; groups of 20+ discounted. Includes permanent exhibition. Combined ticket with Fukuda Art Museum 2,300 yen (adult), sold at reception only.

Nearby

Fukuda Art Museum

Art3 min walk

Kyoto Prefectural Insho-Domoto Museum of Fine Arts

Architecture64 min walk

Kyoto Museum for World Peace, Ritsumeikan University

Military64 min walk

Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo)

Architecture81 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture cost?
Standard adult admission to Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture is £1000. High school 600 yen; elementary/junior high 400 yen; disabled visitor + 1 helper 600 yen each; under-7s free; groups of 20+ discounted. Includes permanent exhibition. Combined ticket with Fukuda Art Museum 2,300 yen (adult), sold at reception only.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture?
Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture is open Daily 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed between exhibitions (no permanent-only opening), for facility inspections and over New Year. Closed 28 Sep - 2 Oct 2026; also closed 15 Dec 2026, 30 Dec 2026 - 1 Jan 2027, 19 Jan, 9 Feb and 21 Feb 2027; closes 14:00 on 20 Feb 2027.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture?
Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture is located at 11 Sagatenryuji-Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8385, Japan, in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto. The nearest stations are Arashiyama (Randen) - 5 min walk, Arashiyama (Hankyu) - 13 min walk, Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line) - 14 min walk.
What can I see at Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture?
Hyakunin Isshu poetry and Edo-to-modern Japanese painting in a tatami gallery facing Arashiyama and the Ōi River Current highlights include Go, go go! Team Ōkyo - Maruyama Ōkyo and the Artists He Mentored, Discover And Enjoy Kyoto Even More Through Pictures, Hyakunin Isshu History.
Do I need to book Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture 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 Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts & Culture?
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.

Vanbasten 23 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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