Kyoto Museum

The Museum of Kyoto, memory of twelve centuries of history

Behind its fine red-brick façade, the Museum of Kyoto retraces the history and culture of the former capital. Opened to celebrate the 1,200th anniversary of the city's founding, it brings together two buildings of very different styles. The Kyoto audio-guided tour stops here to explore the past of a city that was, for more than a thousand years, the heart of Japan.

A museum opened for the city's 1,200th anniversary

The Museum of Kyoto opened in 1988, to celebrate the 1,200th anniversary of the city's founding, which took place in 794. It brings together two very different buildings, including an elegant red-brick façade inherited from late nineteenth-century architecture. The museum presents the history, art and culture of Kyoto, from ancient times to today, in a rich and educational route.

What to see

The museum offers exhibitions on the history and culture of Kyoto, as well as reconstructions evoking life of the past. Its brick façade, a vestige of a former building, is itself an object of curiosity. It is an ideal stop to put into perspective the many temples and districts of the city, by understanding the great periods of its history.

Practical information

The Museum of Kyoto lies in the centre of the city, reachable on foot and by public transport. A working museum, it can be visited; its opening hours and prices vary with the season and the exhibitions, and it may be closed on certain days. It is best to check the conditions before coming and to allow enough time for the route.

When did the Museum of Kyoto open?

It opened in 1988, to celebrate the 1,200th anniversary of the city's founding, which took place in 794.

What does the Museum of Kyoto present?

The history, art and culture of the former capital, from ancient times to today, in two buildings of different styles including a red-brick façade.