Recently, the Kyoto City Museum of Art, located next to the large red torii gate of Heian Jingu Shrine and also one of Japan’s oldest public art museum buildings, announced that after three years of renovation, it would reopen to the public in spring 2020 with a new identity as the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (京都市京セラ美術館), becoming a new pilgrimage spot for visitors to Kyoto!
The Kyoto City Museum of Art has a long history. It was completed in 1933 in Okazaki, one of Kyoto’s most important cultural districts, and its overall exterior was designed in the classic Imperial Crown Style of the time, blending Japanese and Western architectural elements. In 2017, the museum temporarily closed for renovations. The project was officially estimated to cost more than JPY 10 billion, so the government introduced a naming-rights system that allowed the largest corporate sponsor to acquire the naming rights. They were secured by Kyocera Corporation, a major company headquartered in Kyoto.
Located within Kyoto’s Okazaki Park, the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art ultimately selected a collaborative proposal by renowned Japanese architects Jun Aoki and Tezzo Nishizawa for its redesign. Jun Aoki remains a well-known architect internationally and is also a noted artist. After participating in the museum’s reconstruction project, he was appointed director of the Kyoto City Museum of Art.
The Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art is located in the Okazaki area of Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward, while the large red torii gate in the background is a symbol of Heian Jingu Shrine. This area is a well-known center for arts, culture, recreation, and walking in Kyoto.
Walking route around the Okazaki museum area
* Where art, culture, and nature come together: Starting from the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, nearby attractions include Okazaki Park, Heian Jingu Shrine, and the Lake Biwa Canal. The route features broad walkways, greenery, and waterside scenery, making it ideal for a stroll.
* Nearby attractions: Within walking distance are Kyoto City Zoo, the Lake Biwa Canal Museum, and Nanzen-ji Temple, a famous spot for autumn foliage.
Recommended Blue Bottle Coffee location
The closest and most distinctive location near the museum is:
* Blue Bottle Coffee - Kyoto Cafe (Nanzenji location):
* About a 10- to 15-minute walk from the museum and Nanzen-ji Temple.
* Converted from a century-old traditional Kyoto machiya townhouse, it combines minimalist modern design with the look of a Japanese garden.
* An excellent place to rest and enjoy a cup of pour-over coffee after walking around Okazaki, visiting the shrine, or touring the museum.
