Founded in 1897, Kyoto National museum has an outstanding collection of national treasures ranging from ancient cultural relics, ceramics, archeological artifacts, Buddhist scrolls and sculptures, paintings and more. Many of these artifacts reopen historic chapters unique to Kyoto and Japan and hence the museum is one among the most significant ones in the country.

There are 2 large buildings in the museum precincts – the original building called Meiji Kotokan built in the Meiji period and the newer section that was added later on in 2014 called Heisei Chishinkan. The contemporary Heisei Chishinkan houses the permanent collection of the museum while the older red colored Meiji Kotokan houses the special exhibits.
Admiring the amazing past of Kyoto by sauntering through all the varied momentous treasures presented in the various rooms at the museum makes for a very satisfying experience; albeit one that comes at a certain price. Entry to the special exhibits may cost a bit more. You can easily spend half a day here especially if you are an art-lover and have ample of time on hand. If you are short on time, what you can do is filter and tick off those rooms housing exhibits that are of special interest to you. You can as well start from the textile room – it has on display pretty kimonos and many other old to relatively new Japanese textiles and costume gears along with information on their craft, procedure and design.