Dec. 11, 2018 UPDATE

Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum

- 河井寛次郎記念館 -
Kawai Kanji Memorial Museum is a simple house where you can see the masterful works by Kawai Kanjiro
Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966) was a potter active from the Taisho period to the Showa period. He was a central figure in the “Mingei” folk craft movement that saw beauty in the everyday, utilitarian objects. The present day Kawai Kanji Memorial museum was in his lifetime both his house and his workshop. The museum is in the Higashiyama Gojo area where the famous Kyoto pottery styles Kiyomizu-yaki and Kyo-yaki were born, but looking from the outside, you wouldn’t believe the house is a museum. It looks just like every other machiya town house. The atmosphere inside is cozy and you get to really feel that Kawai Kanjiro and his family actually lived here. At the two-story museum, you can see his works, his wood engravings, pottery, and furniture he designed, everywhere, but they are placed in the house like they were in everyday use; they are not labeled at all like in most museums. You can also see the inner garden and the “noborigama” climbing kiln, so there is a lot to see at the museum, so much in fact that it seems that time slows more slowly at the museum. This museum is a very enjoyable experience even if you don’t have any prior knowledge of Kawai Kanjiro’s works.
Kawai Kanjiro’s works and furniture
Kawai Kanjiro’s works and furniture
The two-story museum has works and furniture by Kanjiro in all of its rooms. Some of the works are very utilitarian like chairs with wheels, but some of the later works by Kanjiro like the masks he made have a more abstract design.
Climbing kiln
Climbing kiln
Behind the museum you can a climbing kiln Kanjiro used together with other potters and used this kiln to make their pottery. There used to be many kilns like this in Kyoto, but after the city implemented stricter rules in 1971 the number of kilns went down dramatically. So nowadays it is rare to see kilns like this in the city.
See items cherished by Kanjiro and his works
3Good Experiences
See items cherished by Kanjiro and his works
In this exhibition, you can see items Kanjiro cherished like his pipe and his works, but you can also see the books and poems he wrote during the war. The items on display are changed four times a year.
Take a break in the garden
4Good Experiences
Take a break in the garden
The garden is well taken care of, but it is not as fancy as many other Japanese gardens, it has a much simpler charm to it. This is because the garden was also a place where Kanjiro worked. I want to recommend sitting by the garden and just relaxing. A few years back a cat called “Eki-chan” started living by the museum, so it may come to take a nap and you may get to see a cute cat when at the museum.
Manner & Tips
- Manner & Tips -

・Taking pictures inside the museum is allowed but please ask for permission before taking pictures. 

・You are allowed to sit on most of the chairs in the museum.

3.8 experience4.0 access3.5 photogenic4.0
Overseas Tourist-Friendly
3.8 experience4.0 access3.5 photogenic4.0
Because the museum is in the house the family of Kawai Kanjiro the place doesn’t feel like a museum or gallery but like you were invited into someone’s house. You can sit on the chairs of the house, and feel the warmth that can be found in handmade things. Because the atmosphere is quiet and relaxed many people come to this museum again and again, and I might do that too!
Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum / 河井寛次郎記念館
Category Museums & Galleries
Phone +81 75-561-3585
Address 569 Gojozaka Kanei-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0875
Directions The museum is a 10-minute walk from Keihan Kiyomizu Gojo Station or a 1-minute walk if you take Kyoto City Bus #206 to Umamachi bus stop.
Open Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Entrance until 4:30 p.m.)
Reservations -
Closed Mondays, August 11 to 20, December 24 to January 7 (Please confirm these dates with the museum). If Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be open but is closed the following Tuesday.
Price range
Adults: 900 yen, university and high school students: 500 yen, middle and elementary school students: 300 yen.
Credit cards Not accepted.
Overseas Tourist-Friendly
The museum is not easy to find as it is in a quiet residential area, but it is also close to such sightseeing spots as Kiyomizu Temple. The staff at the museum is very friendly, and although they don’t speak much English, I hope you will visit this museum.
Information Only Japanese.
Lanuages spoken They are able to answer simple questions in English.
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