Independent guide by artible. Not affiliated with Kyoto National Museum.
Japan · Kyoto
Kyoto National Museum
京都国立博物館
Well known for its collections of rare and ancient Chinese and Japanese sutras.
Hours, tickets and current exhibitions are on the official site.
Visit official site →ABOUT
The Kyoto National Museum is one of the major art museums in Japan. Located in Kyoto's Higashiyama ward, the museum focuses on pre-modern Japanese and Asian art.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Notable Works
- 考える人Wikipedia (ja)オーギュスト・ロダン
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- 餓鬼草紙Wikipedia (ja)
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- 天橋立図Wikipedia (ja)雪舟
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- 竹虎図Wikipedia (ja)尾形光琳
Exhibitions
Past and present exhibitions aggregated by artible.
Now & upcoming (15)
- 明兆と室町水墨画Ⅱ2026Aug11(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 中国の陶俑―土に託した不滅の生―2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 中国近代の油画と国画―劉海粟・徐悲鴻・王済遠2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 地下から地上へ―受け継がれた祈り―2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 特集展示 埋納（アンダーグラウンド）─地下に願いを─2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 特集展示 辰馬考古資料館の名品―鉄斎との交友、考古学に寄せるまなざし―2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 聖なる漆器—天に祈りを—2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 近代の屏風―白寿斎コレクションから―2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 鎌倉時代の彫刻2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)
- 特別展 源氏物語 王朝のかがやき2026Oct6(Tue)–Nov29(Sun)
- 新春特集展示 ひつじづくし―干支を愛でる―2026Dec22(Tue)–2027Feb7(Sun)
- 特集展示 茶の湯の道具と次第2026Dec22(Tue)–2027Mar22(Mon)
- 特集展示 雛まつりと人形2027Feb13(Sat)–Mar22(Mon)
The red line is today. Where bars overlap, those shows are open at the same time.
- Now
明兆と室町水墨画Ⅱ
2026Aug11(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)Explore the artistry of Meichō and the spiritual depth of Muromachi ink painting at the Kyoto National Museum.
OFFICIAL吉山明兆#Minchō#Muromachi Ink Painting#Ink Painting#Zen Art - Now
中国の陶俑―土に託した不滅の生―
2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)Explore ancient Chinese terracotta figures ('yong') and their role in embodying beliefs about immortal life.
OFFICIAL#Chinese Art#Ceramic Figurine#Burial Figurine#Burial Culture - Now
中国近代の油画と国画―劉海粟・徐悲鴻・王済遠
2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)Explore modern Chinese oil painting and Guohua by masters Liu Haisu, Xu Beihong, and Wang Jiyuan.
OFFICIAL劉海粟 · 徐悲鴻 · 王済遠#Chinese Art#Modern Art#Oil Painting#Guohua - Now
地下から地上へ―受け継がれた祈り―
2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)Explore the enduring legacy of prayer and spiritual heritage, tracing its journey from ancient underground discoveries to present-day forms.
OFFICIAL#Prayer#Faith#Cultural Property#Japanese Art - Now
特集展示 埋納（アンダーグラウンド）─地下に願いを─
2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)Special exhibition exploring buried objects and the wishes placed beneath the earth.
OFFICIAL#Burial#Underground#Wish#Faith - Now
特集展示 辰馬考古資料館の名品―鉄斎との交友、考古学に寄せるまなざし―
2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)Masterpieces from Tatsuma Archaeological Museum, exploring Tomioka Tessai's fascination with archaeology.
OFFICIAL#Tatsuma Archaeological Museum#Archaeology#Archaeological Artifacts#Tomioka Tessai - Now
聖なる漆器—天に祈りを—
2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)Explore sacred lacquerware and its connection to prayer and spirituality at the Kyoto National Museum.
OFFICIAL#Lacquerware#Sacred Art#Prayer#Japanese Art - Now
近代の屏風―白寿斎コレクションから―
2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)An exhibition showcasing modern Japanese folding screens from the Hakujusai Collection.
OFFICIAL#Folding Screen#Modern Art#Nihonga (Japanese-style painting)#Collection - Now
鎌倉時代の彫刻
2026Jul14(Tue)–Sep6(Sun)An exhibition showcasing sculptures from Japan's Kamakura period at the Kyoto National Museum.
OFFICIAL#Kamakura Period#Sculpture#Buddhist Statues#Japanese Art - Soon
特別展 源氏物語 王朝のかがやき
2026Oct6(Tue)–Nov29(Sun)A special exhibition exploring the world of The Tale of Genji and the brilliance of Heian court culture.
OFFICIAL#Tale of Genji#Heian Period#Court Culture#Emaki - Soon
新春特集展示 ひつじづくし―干支を愛でる―
2026Dec22(Tue)–2027Feb7(Sun)Celebrate the New Year with a special exhibition at Kyoto National Museum focusing on sheep and the zodiac.
OFFICIAL#Sheep#Chinese Zodiac#Animal#New Year - Soon
特集展示 茶の湯の道具と次第
2026Dec22(Tue)–2027Mar22(Mon)An exhibition showcasing the utensils and procedures of the Japanese tea ceremony.
OFFICIAL#Tea Ceremony#Tea Ceremony Utensils#Japanese Culture#Crafts - Soon
特集展示 雛まつりと人形
2027Feb13(Sat)–Mar22(Mon)A special exhibition exploring the history and culture of Hina Matsuri (Doll's Festival) and traditional Japanese dolls.
OFFICIAL#Hina Matsuri#Dolls#Sekku Festivals#Japanese Culture - Soon
京都国立博物館開館130周年記念 特別展 大狩野派 ＜第1部 室町～桃山編＞
2027Apr20(Tue)–May30(Sun)Kyoto National Museum's 130th anniversary special exhibition: The Great Kano School, Part 1 (Muromachi-Momoyama periods).
OFFICIAL#Kano School#Nihonga (Japanese-style painting)#Muromachi Period#Momoyama Period - Soon
京都国立博物館開館130周年記念 特別展 大狩野派 ＜第2部 江戸～明治編＞
2027Jun8(Tue)–Jul19(Mon)A special exhibition celebrating Kyoto National Museum's 130th anniversary, focusing on the Kano school from Edo to Meiji periods.
OFFICIAL#Kano School#Nihonga (Japanese-style painting)#Edo Period#Meiji Period
Past exhibitions (71)
- Past
明兆と室町水墨画Ⅰ
2026Jul14(Tue)–Aug9(Sun)OFFICIAL吉山明兆#Minchō#Muromachi Ink Painting#Ink Painting#Zen Art - Past
特別展 北野天神
2026Apr18(Sat)–Jun14(Sun)A special exhibition exploring the deity Kitano Tenjin, the history of Kitano Tenmangu shrine, and its cultural impact.
OFFICIAL#Kitano Tenjin#Sugawara Michizane#Tenjin Worship#Shrine - Past
斉白石の絵画―須磨弥吉郎の蒐集品より
2025Feb11(Tue)–Mar23(Sun)Explore the vibrant paintings of Chinese master Qi Baishi from the renowned Suma Yakichiro collection.
ARCHIVE斉白石#Qi Baishi#Chinese Painting#Ink Painting#Yakichiro Suma - Past
画中詞—絵のなかのことば—
2025Feb11(Tue)–Mar23(Sun)An exhibition exploring the fascinating relationship between words and images in Japanese art.
ARCHIVE#Painting#Words#Calligraphy and Painting#Japanese Art - Past
画家のスケッチ
2025Feb11(Tue)–Mar23(Sun)An exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum exploring the artistic process through painters' sketches.
ARCHIVE#Sketch#Drawing#Painting#Creative Process - Past
紺紙経―輝く仏の言葉―
2025Feb11(Tue)–Mar23(Sun)An exhibition exploring the beauty and spirituality of "Konshi-kyo," Buddhist scriptures written on indigo paper.
ARCHIVE#Sutras on Indigo Paper#Buddhist Art#Sutra#Calligraphy - Past
農耕の絵画
2025Feb11(Tue)–Mar23(Sun)An exhibition at the Kyoto National Museum showcasing various paintings depicting agricultural themes.
ARCHIVE#Agriculture#Painting#Japanese Art#Pastoral Landscape - Past
京都の仏像・神像
2025Jan2(Thu)–Mar23(Sun)An exhibition showcasing Buddhist and Shinto statues from Kyoto.
ARCHIVE#Buddhist Statues#Shinto Deity Sculpture#Kyoto#Sculpture - Past
特別公開 名刀再臨─時代を超える優品たち─
2025Jan2(Thu)–Mar23(Sun)A special exhibition showcasing master Japanese swords and excellent works that transcend different eras.
ARCHIVE#Japanese Sword (Nihonto)#Japanese Swords#Famous Swords#Armor and Weapons - Past
特集展示 新時代の山城鍛冶―三品派と堀川派―
2025Jan2(Thu)–Mar23(Sun)A special exhibition exploring the Yamashiro Kaji swordsmiths, focusing on the Mishina and Horikawa schools.
ARCHIVE#Yamashiro Swordsmithing#Japanese Sword (Nihonto)#Japanese Swords#Mishina School - Past
特別展 雪舟伝説—「 画聖 カリスマ 」の誕生—
2024Apr13(Sat)–May26(Sun)Explore the legend and charisma of Sesshu, revered as a 'painting saint,' in this special exhibition.
ARCHIVE#Sesshu Toyo#Ink Painting#Nihonga (Japanese-style painting)#Muromachi Period - Past
特集展示 雛まつりと人形—古今雛の東西—
2024Feb10(Sat)–Mar24(Sun)An exhibition exploring the history and artistry of Hina dolls, focusing on Kokin-bina from East and West.
ARCHIVE#Hina Matsuri#Dolls#Hina Dolls#Kokin-bina Dolls - Past
修理完成記念 特集展示 泉穴師神社の神像
2024Jan2(Tue)–Feb25(Sun)See restored Shinto deities from Izumianashi Shrine at Kyoto National Museum, Jan 2 - Feb 25, 2024.
ARCHIVE#Shinto Deity Sculpture#Izumi Anashi Shrine#Repair#Japanese Sculpture - Past
新春特集展示 辰づくし─干支を愛でる─
2024Jan2(Tue)–Feb12(Mon)A special exhibition at Kyoto National Museum celebrating the New Year with artworks featuring the Chinese zodiac animal, the dragon.
ARCHIVE#Dragon#Dragon (Zodiac)#Chinese Zodiac#New Year - Past
特集展示 弥生時代青銅の祀り
2024Jan2(Tue)–Feb4(Sun)A special exhibition exploring the bronze rituals and artifacts of Japan's ancient Yayoi Period.
ARCHIVE#Yayoi Period#Bronze Ware#Rituals#Archaeology - Past
特別展 東福寺
2023Oct7(Sat)–Dec3(Sun)Explore the profound history and artistic treasures of Tofuku-ji Temple, a significant Zen Buddhist landmark, at the Kyoto National Museum.
ARCHIVE#Tofuku-ji Temple#Zen Buddhism#Buddhist Art#Kyoto - Past
中国絵画 中国山水画の世界
2023Aug22(Tue)–Sep18(Mon)Explore the rich world of Chinese landscape painting at the Kyoto National Museum.
ARCHIVE#Chinese Painting#Landscape Painting#Ink Painting#East Asian Art - Past
仏画 地蔵と十王
2023Aug22(Tue)–Sep18(Mon)An exhibition at Kyoto National Museum showcasing Buddhist paintings of Jizo and the Ten Kings.
ARCHIVE#Buddhist Painting#Jizo#Ten Kings of Hell#Buddhist Art - Past
絵巻 異国の仏教説話
2023Aug22(Tue)–Sep18(Mon)An exhibition showcasing the charm of emakimono depicting Buddhist tales from foreign lands.
ARCHIVE#Emaki#Buddhist Tales#Exotic Lands#Buddhist Art - Past
近世絵画 生誕300年 池大雅
2023Aug22(Tue)–Sep18(Mon)An exhibition celebrating the 300th anniversary of Ike Taiga, a master of early modern Japanese literati painting.
ARCHIVE#Ike no Taiga#Bunjinga#Ink Painting#Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) - Past
特集展示 日中 書の名品
2023Aug8(Tue)–Sep18(Mon)A special exhibition showcasing masterpieces of calligraphy from Japan and China.
ARCHIVE#Calligraphy#Japanese Calligraphy#Chinese Calligraphy#Calligraphy Work - Past
彫刻 地蔵と閻魔
2023Jun13(Tue)–Sep18(Mon)Explore the spiritual and artistic interpretations of Jizo and Enma through a collection of sculptures at Kyoto National Museum.
ARCHIVE#Sculpture#Jizo#Enma#Buddhist Statues - Past
染織 染めと織りの技法 刺繡
2023Aug2(Wed)–Sep10(Sun)Explore the intricate techniques of Japanese textiles, focusing on dyeing, weaving, and embroidery.
ARCHIVE#Textiles#Dyeing#Weaving#Embroidery - Past
漆工 魅惑の唐物漆器
2023Aug2(Wed)–Sep10(Sun)An exhibition showcasing enchanting Chinese lacquerware at the Kyoto National Museum.
ARCHIVE#Lacquerware#Chinese Lacquerware#Chinese Art#Crafts - Past
特集展示 茶の湯の道具 茶碗
2023Jun20(Tue)–Sep10(Sun)A special exhibition focusing on various tea bowls used in the Japanese tea ceremony.
ARCHIVE#Tea Ceremony#Tea Ceremony Utensils#Chawan#Ceramics - Past
考古 縄文土器と土偶
2023Jun20(Tue)–Sep10(Sun)ARCHIVE#Archaeology#Jomon Period#Jomon Pottery#Dogu Clay Figurines - Past
金工 錺りの美―仏をかざる―
2023Jun13(Tue)–Sep10(Sun)An exhibition exploring the exquisite beauty of metalwork used to adorn Buddhist statues and ritual objects.
ARCHIVE#Metalwork#Buddhist Statue Decoration#Buddhist Implements#Metal Craft - Past
中世絵画 禅宗と観音図Ⅰ
2023Jul19(Wed)–Aug20(Sun)An exhibition focusing on medieval Japanese paintings, specifically Zen Buddhist art and Kannon paintings.
ARCHIVE#Medieval Painting#Zen Buddhism#Kannon Painting#Buddhist Art - Past
中国絵画 中国絵画でいきもの観察
2023Jul19(Wed)–Aug20(Sun)An exhibition focusing on observing creatures depicted in Chinese paintings.
ARCHIVE#Chinese Painting#Living Things#Animal Painting#Nature - Past
仏画 最近の文化財修理事情
2023Jul19(Wed)–Aug20(Sun)An exhibition focusing on the recent restoration efforts of Buddhist paintings as cultural properties.
ARCHIVE#Buddhist Painting#Cultural Property Repair#Japanese Art#Buddhist Art
Showing recent 30 (of 71 total)
Museum basics
- Founded
- 1897
- Architect
- 谷口吉生
- Building completed
- 2013
- Renovated
- —
- Director
- 松本伸之
- Operated by
- 独立行政法人国立文化財機構
- Annual visitors
- 380,000
- National treasures
- 29
- Important cultural properties
- 200
- Site area
- —
- Floor area
- —
- Exhibition area
- —
- Architectural features
- 旧本館（明治古都館）・表門（正門）・札売場及び袖塀が国の重要文化財に指定
- フレンチルネサンス様式の煉瓦造平屋建て
- Accreditations
- 登録有形文化財（技術資料参考館） (2008)
- 重要文化財（旧帝国京都博物館） (1969)
- Awards
- 関西元気文化圏賞 特別賞 (2018)
Visit info
- Hours
- —
- Tickets
- —
- Avg. visit time
- —
- Reservation
- —
- Nearest station
- 七条駅
- Address
- 527 Chayacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0931
Rules & amenities
- Photography
- —
- Audio guide langs
- —
- Wheelchair
- —
- Kid-friendly
- —
- Café
- —
- Shop
- —
Collection
- Collection size
- 8,130 works
- Top departments
- Pre-modern Japanese works (especially Heian period artifacts) and Asian art
- Featured artists
- 俵屋宗達
- 雪舟
- 尾形光琳
More info
- Official site
- www.kyohaku.go.jp ↗
- Wikipedia
- Read on Wikipedia ↗
Frequently asked questions
特別展は年に何回開催されますか？⌃
平常展示のほかに特別展が1年に2–4回行われています。
Sources
— Official website — kyohaku.go.jp ↗ · Wikipedia (Japanese) ↗ (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia (English) ↗ (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Official PDF — Educational Guides and Worksheets ↗ (2 pages) · Official PDF — 大徳寺所蔵の狩野永徳筆織田信長像について／山本 英男 ↗ (8 pages) · Official PDF — The Origin of Japanese-style Motifs: Examining the Design Inside Empress Jo-to-mon-in's Sutra CaseMiyakawa Teiichi ↗ (17 pages) · Official PDF — April–June, 2026 (Vol.169) (PDF) ↗ (2 pages) · Official PDF — January–March, 2026(Vol.168) ↗ (2 pages)artible is an independent guide and is not affiliated with this museum. Facts are surfaced with attribution to the sources below.
This page is an independent guide by artible — not affiliated with Kyoto National Museum.
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Image from Wikipedia (Kyoto National Museum), CC BY-SA 4.0