Ōkoku Bunko

The Ōkoku Bunko is a former residence with three main sections: a Western-style building housing exhibition rooms, a Japanese-style residential wing, and a separate art studio building. The complex sits in the Kinugasa area of Kyoto and displays paintings and calligraphy spanning multiple periods.

The house was built in 1913 as the residence of painter Kishima Ōkoku, who lived and worked here. After his death it became a foundation in 1940, converting the property into a public space to preserve his artistic contributions.

The name comes from the painter Kishima Ōkoku, who lived and worked at this location. Today visitors experience a blend of Western design and traditional Japanese rooms that reflect how early 20th-century artists merged both styles.

The property is roughly a 10-minute walk from Kitano-Hakubaicho Station, or several bus lines serve the nearby area. Plan enough time to walk through all three buildings and expect to remove your shoes when entering Japanese-style rooms.

The second-floor exhibition rooms offer views toward Mount Hiei and the distant Higashiyama ridgeline. Sliding doors throughout feature hand-painted fern patterns that the artist himself designed for his living spaces.

Location: Kita-ku

Inception: 1913

Website: http://oukokubunko.org

GPS coordinates: 35.02931,135.72758

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:22