5 Recommended Museums in Kansai (Access, Highlights, and Rates)

The history of the Kyoto National Museum spans more than 120 years, during which time the museum has exhibited everything from archeological relics to Buddhist sculptures, and other works of art like paintings or documents from ancient times up until the modern age. The Sanjusangen-do Hall, famous for its 1,001 sculptures of the Thousand-armed Kannon, is located nearby, so be sure to stop by it as well!

[English Services]
Audio guide: 550 JPY (incl. tax)/device

[Access]
From JR Kyoto Station, take a City Bus to the Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae stop or get off at Keihan Shichijo Station, after which it’s a 7-minute walk.

【Facility Name】 Kyoto National Museum
【Opening Hours】 Collection Galleries (Thematic Exhibitions)
Tuesday - Thursday, Sunday: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm (Last entry 4:30 pm)
Friday, Saturday: 9:30 am - 8:00 pm (Last entry 7:30 pm)
【Days Closed】 Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday), New Year holidays
【Price】 Adults: 520 JPY, University Students: 260 JPY
【URL】
Official Homepage
KANSAI Tourism Bureau Homepage
【Address】 527 Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK) exhibits approximately 10,000 crafts and artworks, such as Japanese-style paintings, primarily by artists active in Kansai. It also regularly screens movies with a focus on museums and film. Nearby tourist spots include Okazaki Park and the Heian Shrine.

[Access]
Take a City Bus from JR/Kintetsu Kyoto Station and get off at the Okazaki Koen Bijutsukan/Heian Jingu-mae bus stop.

【Facility Name】 The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
【Opening Hours】 9:30 am - 5:00 pm (Last entry 4:30 pm)
Extended hours on Friday and Saturday: 9:30 - 8:00 pm (Last entry 7:30 pm)
【Days Closed】 Monday (if Monday is a national holiday, open Monday and closed the following Tuesday), New Year holidays
【Price】 Collection Gallery
Adults: 430 JPY, University Students: 130 JPY, Guests Under 18 or 65 and Older: Free (fees vary by exhibition)
【URL】
Official Homepage
KANSAI Tourism Bureau Homepage
【Address】 26-1 Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

The National Museum of Art, Osaka (NMAO) is known for its strikingly unusual appearance as its entire gallery is located underground. It has a collection of approximately 7,000 contemporary works of art including paintings, sculptures, and photography created after World War II. It is situated next to the Osaka Science Museum and is about a 20-minute walk from central Osaka, allowing guests to enjoy nearby tourist spots.

[Access]
10-minute walk from Fukushima Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line or Shin-Fukushima Station on the Tozai Line

【Facility Name】 The National Museum of Art, Osaka
【Opening Hours】 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 am - 8:00 pm (last entry 7:30 pm)
【Days Closed】 Monday (if Monday is a national holiday, open Monday and closed the following Tuesday)
【Price】 NMAO Collection
Adults: 430 JPY, University Students: 130 JPY, Guests Under 18 or 65 and Older: Free (fees vary by exhibition)
【URL】 Official Homepage
【Address】 4-2-55 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

Located in a corner of Nara Park, famous for its deer, the Nara National Museum is distinguished by the Western-style architecture of its building. The Original Museum Building is a brick structure designated as an Important Cultural Property and is famous for Japan's foremost collection of Buddhist art. Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine are located nearby, so you can do a lot of sightseeing while visiting the museum.

[English Services]
Audio guide: 500 JPY/device (Covers only major works in the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall)

[Access]
Take the City Loop Bus from JR/Kintetsu Nara Station and get off at the Himuro Jinja & Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan bus stop.

【Facility Name】 Nara National Museum
【Opening Hours】 9:30 am - 5:00 pm (last entry 4:30 pm)
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 am - 8:00 pm (last entry 7:30 pm)
【Days Closed】 Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday), New Year holidays, other temporary closures
【Price】 Adults: 520 JPY, University Students: 260 JPY, Guests Under 18 and 70 and Older: Free (separate fees for special exhibitions)
【URL】
Official Homepage
KANSAI Tourism Bureau Homepage
【Address】 50 Noborioji-cho, Nara-shi, Nara
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

The Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, designed by the world-famous architect Tadao Ando, is one of the largest museums in western Japan. It exhibits approximately 10,000 works of art including sculptures and woodblock prints from around the world, paintings with connections to Hyogo, and famous modern art from Japan. It is conveniently located near the giant Harborland multiplex, allowing quests to enjoy shopping or the nearby Kobe Port Tower landmark.

[Access]
10-minute walk from Nada Station on the JR Kobe Line

【Facility Name】 Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art
【Opening Hours】 10:00 am - 6:00 pm (last entry 5:30 pm)
Friday and Saturday during special exhibitions: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm (last entry 7:30 pm)
【Days Closed】 Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday), New Year holidays (December 31, January 1)
【Price】 Adults: 500 JPY, University Students: 400 JPY, Guests 70 and Older: 250, Guests Under 18: Free (separate fees for special exhibitions)
【URL】
Official Homepage
KANSAI Tourism Bureau Homepage
【Address】 1-1-1 Wakinohama Kaigan-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo
【Google Map URL】 GoogleMap

These were the top Kansai museums that exhibit beautiful artwork from within and outside Japan! They are great places to visit on rainy days, so enjoy them together with nearby sightseeing spots!