Kyoto National Museum

Kyoto National Museum

Kyoto National Museum is a national museum located in Kyoto, Japan. Established in May 1897, it is one of Japan’s most important museums. Operated by the independent administrative institution National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, the museum primarily exhibits cultural and artistic works from Kyoto dating from the Heian period to the Edo period.

Construction of Kyoto National Museum began in 1892 and was officially completed in October 1895. The architect was Katayama Tōkuma, who also designed the main building of Nara National Museum and the Hyokeikan building of Tokyo National Museum. The museum was originally planned as a three-story structure, but due to the Nobi Earthquake in 1891, it was changed to a single-story design. Kyoto National Museum officially opened in May 1897 under the name Imperial Kyoto Museum.

The museum covers an area of 25,275 square meters. Its exhibition facilities mainly consist of the Main Building (Special Exhibition Hall), designed by Katayama Tōkuma, and the New Building (General Exhibition Hall), designed by Emeritus Professor Morita Keiichi of Kyoto University. The national museum was initially intended to house historical artifacts preserved by temples and shrines across the Kyoto region. Today, Kyoto National Museum houses approximately 12,000 items, including 27 National Treasures and 181 Important Cultural Properties. About half of the current collection items are on deposit from other owners, including many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

Kyoto National Museum

Must-visit reason: One of Japan’s most important museums

Continent: Asia

Country/Region: Japan

Prefecture/State: Kyoto Prefecture

City: Kyoto