Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art

The Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art stands as Japan's second oldest public art museum, originally opening in 1933 as the Kyoto City Museum of Art. Located in the culturally rich Okazaki Park area of Sakyo Ward, the museum underwent a major renovation completed in 2020, when it was renamed following a partnership with KYOCERA Corporation. The modernization project preserved the museum's distinctive Imperial Crown Style architecture while adding contemporary exhibition spaces designed by architect Tadao Ando, creating a harmonious blend of historical preservation and cutting-edge design.

The museum houses an extensive permanent collection of approximately 3,700 works, spanning Japanese paintings, Western-style paintings, sculptures, prints, and crafts from the Meiji period onward. Its collection particularly emphasizes Kyoto School artists and modern Japanese art movements, offering crucial insights into the development of Japanese contemporary art. The museum serves as a vital cultural institution showcasing both traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern artistic expressions, with regular special exhibitions featuring international contemporary artists alongside Japanese masters.

Visitors experience art across multiple gallery spaces totaling over 13,000 square meters. The museum's layout includes the historic North Wing with its original 1930s architecture, the expansive New East Wing featuring modern exhibition halls, and the striking Glass Ribbon corridor that connects the spaces. The underground Atelier space and rooftop terrace provide additional viewing areas. Museum shops and cafés offer places to pause, while the surrounding Okazaki Park area includes other cultural attractions like the Heian Shrine and the National Museum of Modern Art.

The museum is accessible via Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Subway Line, approximately a 10-minute walk from Exit 1. Alternatively, visitors can take the Kyoto City Bus number 5 or 100 to the Okazaki Koen Bijutsukan/Heian Jinguu-mae stop, directly in front of the museum. General admission to view the permanent collection costs ¥730 for adults, though prices vary for special exhibitions. Combination tickets covering multiple exhibitions are often available, and discounts apply for students and seniors.