3 Museums That You Shouldn’t Miss in Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, Japan. Photo by Sorasak on Unsplash

Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan, and that makes it the perfect place to immerse in the rich history, culture, and art of this country. Museums are the best place to explore the city’s heritage and cultural traditions—and these three are a good place to start.

Kyoto National Museum

Kyoto National Museum is one of Japan’s oldest and most significant art museums, and it’s been around since the late 19th century. Its collection includes everything from paintings and ceramics to sculptures, and textiles, and it contains around 12,000 pieces.

The National Museum of Modern Art

If you’re a fan of modern art looking for the best museum to explore during your visit, it doesn’t get much better than this one. Its contemporary building was designed by the award-winning architect Fumihiko Maki, while its diverse collection of 10,000 pieces covers everything from traditional Japanese paintings to Western art.

Kyoto International Manga Museum

Japan is the birthplace of manga, and it’s not a shocker to see there’s a museum dedicated to their role and legacy in Japan’s pop culture. This museum houses 300,000 mangas from different eras and genres, and you can read some of them during your visit and learn more about their history.