The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, known as MOMAK, is in Okazaki Park beside the approach to Heian Shrine. Its collection focuses on modern art from Kyoto and the wider Kansai region, with Japanese-style and Western-style paintings, prints, photography and crafts such as ceramics and textiles. Displays change, so check the current special exhibition before you go; the permanent collection has included works by Marc Chagall. The building, designed by Fumihiko Maki, is another reason to stop. The ground-floor cafe has views of cherry blossoms in spring.
A museum focused on Kyoto and modern art
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, opened in 1963 as an annex of Tokyo’s modern art museum and became independent in 1967. Its collecting focus includes twentieth-century art from Japan and other regions, with particular attention to Kyoto and the wider Kansai area.
The collection spans Japanese-style and Western-style paintings, watercolours, prints, sculpture and photography. Crafts are part of the picture too: ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, metalwork, wood and bamboo work, and jewellery appear among the museum’s holdings. The mix gives visitors a way to see painting and craft traditions together, rather than treating them as separate subjects.
How the displays change
The permanent collection is not shown all at once. Works rotate through the collection galleries, with exhibitions changing several times a year. Displays have included Japanese modern art alongside works from Europe and the United States, and pieces by artists such as Marc Chagall. Ceramics and textiles also feature in the museum’s changing presentations.
Temporary exhibitions bring a separate focus, and their themes vary. The exhibition material may not always be available in English, so looking up the current programme before your visit can help you decide whether to spend time on the special show or concentrate on the collection galleries. English information panels accompany works in the permanent display.
The building and its setting
Architect Fumihiko Maki designed the museum’s current building, which replaced its earlier premises in the 1980s. The structure is part of the visit, and the museum sits in Okazaki Park near Heian Shrine and the Lake Biwa Canal. The surrounding museum district makes it easy to pair an art visit with other nearby cultural stops.
Large windows on the fourth floor look out from the reception area. The museum also has a cafe on the ground floor; in spring, cherry blossoms can be seen from there. Check the current exhibition details before setting aside time, since the balance between the permanent collection and special displays changes.
FAQ
What kind of art is at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto?
The collection includes Japanese-style and Western-style paintings, prints, sculpture, photography and crafts such as ceramics, textiles, lacquerware and metalwork. The museum gives particular attention to modern art from Kyoto and the Kansai region.
Are there English explanations?
The permanent collection has English information panels. English material may not be available for every special exhibition.
Can you use a translation app in galleries?
If photography is prohibited in a gallery, ask a staff member before using a translation app to read detailed signage.
Is there a cafe at the museum?
Yes. The ground-floor cafe has cherry blossom views in spring.
