Kyoto's newest museum, the Toy Film Museum, opened on May 18th 2015 on a tiny little side street just off Koin Doori in the Mibu area. I ventured down there shortly after it opened to see what it was like. My general feeling after visiting is that the place has a lot of potential, but if you are not fluent in Japanese and/or super interested in old movies then this place isn't … [Read more...]
Pictures from the “Hall of New Knowledge” – The New Wing of Kyoto National Museum
I have a guest article on Chris Rowthorn's Inside Kyoto today, all about the new Heisei Chishinkan wing of Kyoto National Museum. This new wing presents a thought provoking contrast to the main building, the Meiji Kotokan. The latter was built in the late 19th century, when designing public buildings in a European style was seen as modern and progressive, and it has an ornate … [Read more...]
Kyoto Gion Udon Museum
Out walking by the Kamo river one day, we encountered a happy bowl-headed mascot (pictured below) hopping about on Shijo Bridge. We took the obligatory 360 degree picture together and received in return two drinks coupons for the Udon Museum. What more of an incentive do you need to explore the magical world of thick Japanese wheat flour noodles? Our curiosity piqued, we duly … [Read more...]
Kyoto Kaleidoscope Museum ~ 京都万華鏡ミュージアム
Though small, this is certainly one of the most charming museums I have been to in Kyoto. Entry for adults is a mere 300 yen, and for that you get to play with around 50 of the 250 varied, inventive and frankly quite wonderful kaleidoscopes the museum has thus far collected. A sweet old gentleman and lady were very happy to show us how each instrument worked and once an hour … [Read more...]
Japan’s largest train museum to be built in Umekoji Park, Kyoto.
As reported earlier this week in the Asahi Shimbun, Kyoto City is "lending" land to JR West for a mammoth train museum to be completed by 2016. I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I think a museum celebrating Japan's railway history and culture is a fine fit for Kyoto - and personally I love trains. I'm sure I'll pay the museum a visit once it is open... … [Read more...]
