A country has two types of culture, modern vs. traditional. Manga is representative of modern Japanese culture, and on the other hand, Ukiyo-e painting is popular traditional culture.
Which do you like better? This page shows two museums in Kyoto for Manga and Ukiyo-e.
Kyoto International Manga Museum (京都国際マンガミュージアム)
Needless to say, Manga is the most popular modern Japanese culture. This museum actually has two functions, the library and museum. There is “The Wall of Manga” consisting of 50000 manga books inside, and you can take and read them freely in the site. The reading area is not only inside, but also the grass garden. The gift shop offers about 1000 products related to Manga.
When you want a rest, there is a café available. Or you can go out and in again because the ticket permits multiple re-entries throughout the day. Have a good Manga day!
Entrance fee:
800yen / adult
Open:
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Entry by 5:30 p.m)
Access:
2-minute walk from Kyoto Subway Karasuma-Oike station
Kyoto Ukiyo-e Museum (京都浮世絵美術館)
Manga is modern culture, and Ukiyo-e is traditional which has around a 300-year-history.
This cozy, small museum exhibits works of Japanese famous Ukiyo-e painters like Hokusai, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi and Kunisada. However, not only the exhibition but also the various souvenirs are another attraction. From postcards to the real Ukiyo-e, what do you want to bring back for your Ukiyo-e memory?
Kyoto Ukiyo-e Museum has good access at the center of Kyoto city. It is recommended to enjoy the relaxing Ukiyo-e world during your sightseeing adventure.
* The Ukiyo-e painting above is just an example. You may not see it in the museum.
Entrance fee:
1000yen / adult
Open:
10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Entry by 6:00 p.m)
Access:
A few-minute walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi station
What is Ukiyo-e?
Some say that Ukiyo-e culture began at Edo era around the 17th century. It is a genre painting and mainly shows a scene of theater play and a prostitute. The most common way of painting is wood print. It influenced the works of Van Gogh and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, has held a special Ukiyo-e exhibition. People all over the world and from any era recognize the value of Ukiyo-e.
These two museums stand closely as the map below shows. Why not schedule next weekend for a Kyoto trip and enjoy different types of Japanese art?
For other Kyoto attractions, check out all-you-can-eat tsukemono restaurants and Kodaiji temple, for example.
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