Kahitsukan · Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art
- Highlight
- TheLight Garden on the top floor (5F), a beautiful blend of nature and man-made edifice bathed in natural light
Wide-ranging exhibitions are held from photography to contemporary art
Opened in 1981, the museum’s name Kahitsukan translates as “always doubting established theory” – as if to say: “keep your mind free,” which is the ethos aimed for.
Set in the heart of the lively nightlife area, Gion, the museum has a quiet haven moment when set foot inside. The fifth floor is home to the “light garden” and a “tea arbor”. Much effort has been taken to show exhibits in natural light.
The true heart of the museum revolves around the Japanese-style painter Kagaku Murakami, the Oil painter Kaoru Yamaguchi and the potter-artist Rosanjin Kitaoji. Exhibitions contemporary paintings, crafts, photos and caligraphy, etc are held. Notably, Rosanjin’s works also can be seen in a specially prepared permanent collection room.

Bowl with camellia design by Rosanjin Kitaoji (1938), in the collection of Kahitsukan · Kyoto Museum of Contemporary Art


Address | 271 Gion-machi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku |
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TEL | 075-525-1311 |
FAX | 075-525-0611 |
URL | http://www.kahitsukan.or.jp |
Hours | 10:00~18:00 (entry by 17:30) |
Closed | Mon, New Year Hols, Exhibition changeover period |
Adm | Adults ¥1,000, Junior high school to college students ¥800 |
Access | A 3-min walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Stn/A 2-min walk from Gion Stop of City Bus |
Facilities near by

Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple
See close up the works of the stars of Heian and Kamakura sculpture

Kyoto eastern landfill site (Ecoland Otowa-no-mori)

Chishaku-in Temple Treasure House and Garden
A temple where the arts of the Momoyama period can be feasted upon

SEN-OKU HAKUKOKAN MUSEUM “Sumitomo Collection”
A highly proclaimed bronze ware collection