Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design

Small collection of crafts and art, this museum shouldn’t take more than a half-hour to peruse. Several of the exhibits displayed step by step examples of the process it takes to get to the final piece. The attached store had plenty of options to choose from- jewelry, hair accessories, toys, cards, clothing, bags and pouches, etc. If you need a break from temples and shrines, this is an easy place to spend a little time away from the crowds.

Although small in size, the exhibits are very informative and interesting given you insights into traditional Japanese arts and crafts

I enjoyed my first visit to the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Craft and Design. It’s located in the basement of the Miyako Messe building and is part museum and part museum store. The museum covers a wide variety of traditional crafts, including pottery, ikebana, kimonos, basket making, swords, and many more. Most of the graphs have labels in both of Japanese and English and tell interesting stories on how the item is created. Worth your time if you’re interested in Japanese design and crafts.

This museum is superb. 1) the exhibition was done with care and had short but clear explanations 2) there are videos and signs in English to easily understand all the techniques 3) the building is beautiful 4) one staff member (so kind!) approached me to suggest me to follow their YouTube channel if I wanted to watch at home the rest of the videos displayed in there 5) it is free

Un-understandable. We went to the place and it seems they were getting ready for something. There are no signs or anything as to where you are able to go or the exhibitions are. Nobody on the information desk to inform you of anything… ✅ The interior design is really beautiful and interesting 💴🆓 It is free to enter, but I couldn’t find the free exhibitions (they have paid ones too suppously) ⚠️ Difficult to understand anything. Mechanical stairs go up and down and you don’t know where anything is.

PRO'S: The Kyoto Museum of Crafts is an excellent reference point for a general explanation of historical Kyoto arts & crafts. Self guided touring & fine hand made items in the gift shop take about an hour. CON'S: None SUMMARY: Excellent museum to learn history of Japanese & Kyoto crafts and arts.

Some of the exponates were interactive so we could try them. Exposition was concise with many examples, definitely worth visiting

The admission was free. There is a medium sized area with many beautiful objects and the associated descriptions. There are also some interactive parts which make it more fun.

I enjoyed my first visit to the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Craft and Design. It's located in the basement of the Miyako Messe building and is part museum and part museum store. The museum covers a wide variety of traditional crafts, including pottery, ikebana, kimonos, basket making, swords, and many more. Most of the graphs have labels in both of Japanese and English and tell interesting stories on how the item is created. Worth your time if you're interested in Japanese design and crafts.