Though small, this is certainly one of the most charming museums I have been to in Kyoto. Entry for adults is a mere 500 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 they will turn off the lights and fill the room with kaleidoscopic lights! A very pleasant way to spend around an hour of your time if you are an adult and are in the area… and if you have kids, then stick around and let them make their very own bespoke particolored looking glass.
Kyoto Kaleidoscope Museum is located to the rear of the Museum of Kyoto, just a stone’s throw away from the Shimpukan shopping center and a 5 minute walk from Kyoto Manga Museum – so lots to do in the vicinity too!
Information (from the Museum website)
Open: 10:00‐18:00 (last entry 17:30),
Closed on Mondays (open if Monday. is a national holiday and closed the following weekday),
Also closed during the Winter holidays December 25th – January 4th.
Admission for Adults: 500 yen
Seniors (over 65): 300 yen
Senior High School Students: 300 yen
Elementary / Junior High Students: 200 yen
Below school age: FREE
Access: The Kaleidoscope museum is a 3-minute walk from Exits 3-1 & 3-2 of the Karasumaoike subway station, on the south side Aneyakoji‐dori, east of Higashinotoin‐dori. Here is a map.
This article checked and updated in July 2025.
Text and images by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
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