Kyoto Museum of Fine Arts

The Kyoto Museum of Fine Arts is an outdoor museum that is home to life-sized depictions of popular pieces of art on panels of porcelain and waterproof ceramic plates. Finished in 1994, this Tadao Ando creation is a downright architectural marvel and has a very European air about it if experts are to be believed. It is essentially an open-air garden, the first of its kind, and seeks to establish a relationship of sorts between the art and the visitor. It basically imitates the concept of a Japanese Stroll Garden and takes it to the next level. The museum is interestingly situated below the ground level in order to ensure that it seems cut off from the real world and transports visitors into a parallel universe of sorts. The sound of water rushing from an artificial waterfall into a pond (all part of the complex) only amplifies the museum’s exclusivity and is extremely soothing at the same time.

The most popular exhibit in this museum is ‘The Last Judgement’ by Michelangelo. Priest Toba’s ‘The Scroll of Frolicking Animals and Humans’ is yet another popular name. Moreover, Higashiyama Mountains provide a perfect background to the whole setup. And once you’ve had enough of this fantastical address (is that really possible?), the Botanical Gardens of Kyoto, standing right beside the museum, should be the next sight on your list.