Top Museums in Kyoto

Kyoto National Museum

One of the oldest and most respected art museums in Japan. The museum has a large collection of national treasures and important cultural properties, mainly from the Kyoto area.

Kyoto International Manga Museum

Home to a comprehensive collection of manga (Japanese comics) from Japan and the rest of the world. The museum also regularly hosts manga-related events and workshops.

Ryozen Museum of History

Focusing on the Bakumatsu and Meiji Restoration period of Japan, this museum provides insights into some of the most important moments in the country’s history.

The Museum of Kyoto

A comprehensive culture and arts museum that thoroughly introduces the history and culture of Kyoto, exhibiting a variety of relics related to the city.

Hosomi Museum

This museum boasts a collection of over a thousand items spanning 4,000 years of Japanese art, from ancient to modern times.

Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

Dedicated to showcasing Japanese and East Asian art, this museum houses a collection of modern and contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, and crafts.

Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum

A must-visit for train enthusiasts. This museum is home to several retired steam engines and offers visitors a chance to ride them.

Kyoto Railway Museum

One of the latest additions to Kyoto's museum scene, this museum not only showcases vintage trains but also provides insights into the science and mechanics of railway operation.

Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum

The former home and studio of Kawai Kanjiro, one of the key figures in the Mingei (folk craft) Movement in Japan. The museum exhibits his pottery, sculptures, and woodcarvings.