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Sen-oku Hakuko Kan

ArchitectureArtArchaeologyOpen until 5pmFrom £1200Higashitenno-cho bus stop (City Bus 5, 93, 203, 204), 200 m walk

Founded in 1960 to display the art collection of the Sumitomo family, largely assembled by Sumitomo Kichizaemon Tomoito (Shunsui, 1864-1926), Sen-oku Hakuko Kan is best known for one of the world's finest collections of Shang and Zhou dynasty Chinese bronzes and bronze mirrors. The Bronze Gallery, a 1970 modernist building by Nikken Sekkei with four galleries rising in a spiral under a copper roof, presents the vessels by masterpiece, function, motif and their spread across East Asia. A second building from 1986 hosts seasonal special exhibitions drawn from the wider collection of Chinese and Japanese painting, tea utensils, modern ceramics and Western painting, and the courtyard garden by Ogawa Jihei XI borrows the view of the Higashiyama hills. A Tokyo branch operates separately in Roppongi.

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

24 Shimomiyanomae-cho, Shishigatani, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8431, Japan

Nearest station: Higashitenno-cho bus stop (City Bus 5, 93, 203, 204), 200 m walk, Miyanomae-cho bus stop (City Bus 32; 105 on weekends and holidays), Keage Station (Tozai Subway Line), about 20 min walk

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Hours

Open on national holiday 21 September, 10:00–17:00

Closed 24 September

Closed

Open on national holiday 12 October, 10:00–17:00

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

Special exhibitions 1,200 yen (students 800 yen), including the Bronze Gallery; other exhibitions 1,000 yen (students 600 yen); Bronze Gallery-only periods 600 yen. Under-18s free; visitors with a disability ID plus one companion free; group discount for 20+. Tickets sold at the museum or online (not timed).

Nearby

Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

Architecture12 min walk

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK)

Design14 min walk

Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design

Design15 min walk

Hosomi Museum

Design15 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Sen-oku Hakuko Kan cost?
Standard adult admission to Sen-oku Hakuko Kan is £1200. Special exhibitions 1,200 yen (students 800 yen), including the Bronze Gallery; other exhibitions 1,000 yen (students 600 yen); Bronze Gallery-only periods 600 yen. Under-18s free; visitors with a disability ID plus one companion free; group discount for 20+. Tickets sold at the museum or online (not timed).. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Sen-oku Hakuko Kan?
Sen-oku Hakuko Kan is open 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30), open only during exhibitions. Closed Mondays; when Monday is a national holiday it opens and closes the following weekday (autumn 2026: open 21 Sep, 12 Oct, 23 Nov; closed 24 Sep, 13 Oct, 24 Nov). Closed between exhibition seasons, including the summer and winter breaks; the 2026 programme ends 20 Dec. 20-30 Oct 2026 the Bronze Gallery only is open.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Sen-oku Hakuko Kan?
Sen-oku Hakuko Kan is located at 24 Shimomiyanomae-cho, Shishigatani, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8431, Japan, in the Shishigatani area of Kyoto. The nearest stations are Higashitenno-cho bus stop (City Bus 5, 93, 203, 204), 200 m walk, Miyanomae-cho bus stop (City Bus 32; 105 on weekends and holidays), Keage Station (Tozai Subway Line), about 20 min walk.
What can I see at Sen-oku Hakuko Kan?
The Sumitomo family's world-class ancient Chinese bronzes, shown in a spiralling 1970 gallery at the foot of the Higashiyama hills Current highlights include Commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the Imperial Visit to Nijojo-Castle, the Shogun's Castle, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai: The Legacy of the Sumitomo Pavilion, 100th Anniversary of the Passing of SUMITOMO Shunsui: Fortunate Encounters of The Sumitomo Modern Art Collection.
Do I need to book Sen-oku Hakuko Kan 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 Sen-oku Hakuko Kan?
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.

PlusMinus / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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