Museum of Kyoto

The Museum of Kyoto is a cultural history museum in Nakagyō Ward that displays artifacts, textiles, and ceramics across several floors dedicated to the city's past. The galleries occupy a building designed by Tatsuno Kingo and Nagano Uheiji, whose façade reflects the architectural style of the Meiji period.

The institution opened in 1988 inside a building that was later recognized as an Important Cultural Property because of its design. Originally constructed for a different purpose, the structure was adapted to house the collections documenting the city's development.

On the ground floor, the Roji shops recreate a traditional shopping street where local artisans demonstrate techniques and sell handmade items. Visitors can watch craftspeople at work and understand how commerce once shaped daily life in the city.

Guided tours help visitors navigate the galleries and understand the context of each display on all floors. The building also hosts regular workshops and film screenings in a small theater, offering different ways to engage with the material.

The upper floors hold film posters and costumes from early cinema in Kyoto, a collection that many visitors overlook. These items recall the time when the city served as a major center for Japanese filmmaking.

Location: Nakagyō Ward

Inception: October 1, 1988

Architects: Tatsuno Kingo, Uheiji Nagano

Official opening: October 1, 1988

Address: 京都府京都市中京区高倉通三上る東片町623-1

Website: https://bunpaku.or.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.00917,135.76222

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30