Hands On Kyoto

Cultural Museum (front)

The building was formally the Kyoto Branch of the Bank of Japan. It was built in the Meiji period (1868-1911) and has been designated a Japanese Cultural Property. Now the building is primarily used to introduce the vibrant culture of Kyoto spanning over 1,200 years.

The museum’s Permanent Exhibitions are composed of three sections.

1) History & Culture
2) Japanese/Western Painters & Sculptors/Artisans
3) Film Theatre (Japanese Film)

There is also a Special Exhibition Hall. Exhibitions typically involve of a variety of themes dealing with Japanese and non-Japanese culture and art. On occasion local artists and associations also use the facilities to showcase their work that provides a more modern feel to Kyoto’s traditional roots.

In general, the museum was established to show the genesis of Kyoto culture and illustrate how Japanese arts, culture and society have developmed over the various historic periods in Japanese history.

It also has the “Roji Tempo,” (shopping street) with a number of stores for dining and shopping meant to recreate the typical shopping street one would have encountered in the latter half of the Edo Period (1750-1868).

Cultural Museum (side)

Hours of Operation

Special Exhibitions
 

10:00-18:30 (extended to 19:30 on Fridays; final entry at 19:00)

General Exhibitions
 

10:00-19:30 (must enter prior to 19:00)

Admission Fees
 

General Admission

Adults 500 Yen

University Students 400 Yen

High/Junior/Elementary Students Free

 
Special Event Admission
 

Price is subject to the event (check the website for prices)

Holidays
 

Mondays
 

Special Holidays (New Years’ 12/28-1/3)

Address
 

Sanjo-Takakura,Nakagyo-ku,Kyoto, 604-8183
 

〒 604-8183京都市中京区三条高倉　京都府京都文化博物館

Contact
 

TEL: 075-222-0888 FAX：075-222-0889

Website
 

Kyoto Cultural Museum

Location

View The Kyoto Cultural Museum in a larger map
 
 

◊ Pictures by Greg Koch

 
Overview

The doors were opened to the public in 2006. It’s a collaborative project between Kyoto Seika University and Kyoto City with a mandate to collect, preserve and exhibit manga donated by generous individuals as well as companies. Through this collection systematic research and study initiatives are encouraged along with an expectation to create new industries and promote tourism.

Collection

Holds close to 300, 000 items (2009) and is considered to house one of the world’s largest collections. The collection is composed mainly of modern Japanese manga but there are also historical materials dating back to the Meiji Era (1868-1912) and other comics from around the world. The bulk of the materials are kept in archives for conservation purposes, however the remaining 50, 000 items are available to visitors in the section referred to as the Wall of Manga.

Wall of Manga

Publications from the 1970’s to the present day (2005) are stacked along a wall spanning 140 metres. Most of the manga were donated from Okubo Negishi bookstore that went out business in 2005.

Museum Hours

Open 10:00-18:00
 
Closed: Wednesday (open on National holidays, but closed following Thursday)

Admission Fees
 

Adults 500 Yen

Junior to Senior High Students 300 Yen

Elementary Students 100 Yen

More Information
 

Kyoto International Manga Museum

Location

View Kyoto International Manga Museum in a larger map

◊ Pictures by Greg Koch