Kyoto National Museum — Attraction in Kyoto

The Kyoto National Museum was established as an institution for the collection and preservation of cultural properties. In addition to exhibiting its collections to the public, the Museum conducts related research and conservation projects.

May 1889 A government system to establish the Imperial Museum of Kyoto and the Imperial Museum of Nara, also including the Imperial Museum (currently the Tokyo National Museum), is enacted. October 1890 Decision made for the Imperial Museum of Kyoto to be built on the grounds of the Shichij Imperial Estate. June 1892 Construction begins on the Main Exhibition Hall, designed by architect Katayama Tokuma. October 1895 Construction of the Main Exhibition Hall (current Special Exhibition Hall) is completed. May 1897 The Museum opens its first exhibition. June 1900 In accordance with government reforms, the museum name changes to the Imperial Household Museum of Kyoto. February 1924 The Museum is donated to the City of Kyoto in commemoration of the marriage of the Crown Prince; name changes to Imperial Gift Museum of Kyoto. April 1952 The Museum becomes a national institution and affiliate of the Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Properties (today Agency for Cultural Affairs). Name changes to the Kyoto National Museum. March 1965 The Collections Hall, designed by architect Morita Keiichi, is completed. October 1966 Opening ceremony of the new Collections Hall and opening of commemorative exhibition in the Collections Hall. June 1968 Kyoto National Museum becomes an affiliated institution of the Agency of Cultural Affairs. March 1969 The Main Exhibition Hall, Main Gate, and Ticket Area are designated Cultural Properties of the former Imperial Museum of Kyoto. July 1980 Conservation Center for Cultural Properties opens. April 1981 Kyoto Center for the Research of Cultural Archives is established. July 1984 Conservation Center for Cultural Properties becomes an affiliated institution of the Agency of Cultural Affairs. April 1994 Collaboration and cooperation begins with the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies of Kyoto University. May 1994 1000th lecture of the Saturday Lecture Series is celebrated. August 1994 New Ticket Entrance is constructed at the Main Gate. October 1997 Museum celebrates its 100th Anniversary. March 2001 The South Gate is renovated as part of the new construction project for the new Collections Hall. The former Higashiyama Ward Office is purchased to the Museum Administrative Office during the construction project. April 2001 Kyoto National Museum becomes an independent administrative institution as part of the new Japanese government reorganization plan. March 2002 The construction of the East Storage Facility and Library begins in conjunction with the construction project of the new Collections Hall. May 2002 Renovations on the Former Higashiyama Ward Office begin in conjunction with the construction project of the new Collections Hall. October 2002 Teahouse Tan’an is restored and reopened. March 2009 Reconstruction begins on former Collections Hall. August 2013 Heisei Chishinkan Wing (new Collections Hall) is completed. September 2014 Heisei Chishinkan Wing (new Collections Hall) opened. May 2017 Museum celebrates its 120th...

Crowded, crowded, crowded.

Beautiful exhibit, but there are too many people, and the exhibit does a poor job at managing the crowds. Expect to literally be in a line most of the time, and experience rude people who cut in line and poke their head in and walk in and out, selfish.

2000 yen admission was very expensive compared to most museums. I had my headphones in with noise cancellation and was listening to music while browsing, I would have left the museum otherwise (people are talking like they are in a public market).

If you love museums to experience the culture and love to take your time and I merge yourself, this is not the place. It is simply too crowded, it really ruined the atmosphere for me. -1 star for that.

In the future they should have barriers that let the people line up to see things up close get priority, and those that see outside the line can view outside the line (but not up close). There was one area that encouraged that, but alas, people are selfish and you will soon learn it is not worth it waiting in line, people just cut in front of you constantly it's unbelievable the disrespect.

No photos in the entire exhibitions, except for the one I posted below. Have fun! Come at opening...

The Kyoto National Museum is currently operating restricted access due to rennovations to the main red brick hall that houses the normal collections, so I couldn't say what that part is like.

However, the Special Exhibition on Shinran (founder of Shin Buddhism) 850 years after his birth is really special indeed! Probably one for those connected to, or very interested in, Buddhism and/or its history in Japan. The interpretation for the individual exhibits is minimal in English, but the interpretation for each section of the exhibition is very good. Mostly text-based exhibition items of amazing age, condition and provenance - the myōgō especially dazzled me once I took in what they are - with an incredible set of carved statues representing Shinran and his disciples. The gaze of each statue is astonishingly individual, they are amazing to see together.

Very intresting and educational. I also caught a viewing of Torarin the Grey Tiger mascot of the museum posing by the Special Exhibition signage and chasing wee old ladies good-naturedly,...