KYOTO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 22: Municipal Museum of Art in Kyoto, Japan on October 22, 2014. One of the oldest art museums, opened in 1928 as a commemoration of the Showa emperor's coronation ceremony; Shutterstock ID 245174173; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; Project no. or GL code: 56530; Network activity no. or Cost Centre: Online-Design; Product or Project: 65050/7529/Josh Vogel/LP.com Destination Galleries

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Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art

Northern Higashiyama


This fine museum holds several major exhibitions a year, as well as a variety of free shows. It’s always worth stopping by to see if something is on while you are in town.

This museum's main building will be closed for renovations until 2020; some exhibitions are being held in the nearby annexe. The pond behind the museum is a great place for a picnic.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Higashiyama attractions

1. Okazaki-kōen Area

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Okazaki-kōen is an expanse of parks and canals that lies between Niōmon-dōri and Heian-jingū. Two of Kyoto’s significant museums can be found here – the…

2. National Museum of Modern Art

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This museum is renowned for its Japanese ceramics and paintings. There is an outstanding permanent collection, which includes many pottery pieces by Kawai…

4. Heian-jingū

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One of Kyoto’s more popular sights, this shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of the city. The shrine buildings…

5. Murin-an

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Often overlooked by the hordes that descend on the Higashiyama area, this elegant villa was the home of prominent statesman Yamagata Aritomo (1838–1922)…

6. Shōren-in

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This temple is hard to miss, with its giant camphor trees growing just outside the walls. Fortunately, most tourists march right on past, heading to the…

7. Okazaki-jinja

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Okazaki-jinja is a quaint local shrine located at the far eastern end of Marutamachi-dōri. The rabbit is the spirit animal here and people come to this…

8. Konchi-in

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Just southwest of the main precincts of Nanzen-ji, this fine subtemple has a wonderful garden designed by Kobori Enshū, known as the Crane and Tortoise…