Museum sights in Kyoto
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A
Kyoto International Manga Museum
This fine museum has a collection of some 300,000 manga (Japanese comic books). Located in an old elementary school building, the museum is the perfect introduction to the art of manga. While most of the manga and displays are in Japanese, the collection of translated works is growing.
In addition to the galleries that show both the historical development of manga and original artwork done in manga style, there are beginners' workshops and portrait drawings on weekends. Visitors with children will appreciate the children's library and the occasional performances of kami-shibai (humorous traditional Japanese sliding-picture shows), not to mention the Astroturf lawn where th…
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B
Museum of Kyoto
This museum is worth visiting if a special exhibition is on. The regular exhibits, which include models of ancient Kyoto, audiovisual presentations and a small gallery dedicated to Kyoto's film industry, are not worth a special visit. On the 1st floor, the Roji Tempō is a reconstructed Edo-period merchant area showing 10 types of exterior latticework (this section can be entered free; some of the shops sell souvenirs and serve local dishes). The museum has English-speaking volunteer tour guides. The museum is a three-minute walk southeast of the Karasuma-Oike stop on the Karasuma and Tōzai subway lines.
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C
Kawai Kanjirō Memorial Hall
This museum is one of Kyoto's overlooked little gems, especially for those with an interest in Japanese crafts like pottery and furniture. The hall was the home and workshop of one of Japan's most famous potters, Kawai Kanjirō (1890–1966). The 1937 house is built in rural style and contains examples of Kanjirō's work, his collection of folk art and ceramics, and his workshop and a fascinating nobori-gama (a stepped kiln).
The hall is a 10-minute walk north of the Kyoto National Museum. Alternatively, take bus 206 or 207 from Kyoto Station and get off at the Umamachi stop.
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D
Kyoto National Museum
The Kyoto National Museum is housed in two buildings opposite Sanjūsangen-dō temple. It was founded in 1895 as an imperial repository for art and treasures from local temples and shrines. There are 17 rooms with displays of over a thousand artworks, historical artefacts and handicrafts. The permanent collection is excellent but somewhat poorly displayed; unless you have a particular interest in Japanese traditional arts, we recommend visiting this museum only when a special exhibition is on. Note that the museum is presently undergoing a partial reconstruction; you can still enter the museum but construction will be going on until late 2013.
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E
Nomura Museum
This museum is a 10-minute walk north of Nanzen-ji. Exhibits include scrolls, paintings, implements used in tea ceremonies and ceramics that were bequeathed by business magnate Nomura Tokushiki. If you have an abiding interest in the tea ceremony or in Japanese decorative techniques such as lacquer and maki-e (decorative lacquer technique using silver and gold powders), this museum makes an interesting break from temple hopping.
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F
Teradaya Museum
Famed as the inn of choice for rebel samurai Sakamoto Ryōma (1834–67), today Teradaya operates as a museum. Fans of Ryōma faithfully make the pilgrimage here to see the room where he slept. You might have to ask a passer-by for directions, as the way is poorly marked. There is a sign out the front in English that reads: ‘The site of the Teradaya Feud’.
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G
Umekōji Steam Locomotive Museum
A hit with steam-train buffs and kids, this museum features 18 vintage steam locomotives (dating from 1914 to 1948) and related displays. It's in the former Nijō Station building, which was recently relocated here and carefully reconstructed. For an extra few yen, you can take a 10-minute ride on one of the fabulous old trains (departures at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm).
From Kyoto Station, take bus 33, 205 or 208 to the Umekō-ji Kōen-mae stop (make sure you take a westbound bus).
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H
Kaleidoscope Museum of Kyoto
This one-room museum is filled with unexpected wonders. Frankly, we had no idea of the variety and complexity in the field of kaleidoscopes. We don’t know who will enjoy this more, children or the adults trying to keep them entertained. It’s right behind the Museum of Kyoto.
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I
Fureai-kan Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
For a break from temple-gazing, pop into the excellent Fureai-kan Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts. Exhibits include wood-block prints, lacquerware, bamboo goods and gold-leaf work. It’s in the basement of Miyako Messe (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall).
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