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Photo: the venue and its surroundings (Wikimedia Commons)

Art exhibition in Kyoto

63rd Buddhist Art Exhibition at The Museum of Kyoto

Discover around 300 works of Buddhist art, including Buddhist sculptures, paintings, and intricate cut-gold decoration, created by artists from across Japan.

Dates
Nov 6 (Fri) – Nov 8 (Sun)
Hours
10:00 – 17:00
Venue
The Museum of Kyoto
Nearest station
Karasuma Oike
Admission
Free admission
Official website (Japanese)Open in Google Maps

About this event

Around 300 works of Buddhist art, including sculptures, paintings, and intricate kirikane decoration, come together in this exhibition. Now in its 63rd edition, the Buddhist Art Exhibition presents works created by both professional and amateur artists from across Japan. A close look reveals the differences in craftsmanship, from the expressions of Buddhist statues and the folds carved into their robes to delicate patterns made with metallic foil. This year's exhibition also includes collaborative displays with flowers. By presenting religious artworks in a museum setting, the event encourages visitors to appreciate both their visual beauty and the techniques behind their creation.

Highlights

  • Around 300 works of Buddhist art gathered from across Japan
  • Compare the styles and techniques of Buddhist sculpture and painting
  • Discover intricate decorative techniques such as kirikane
  • Collaborative displays combining Buddhist art with flowers
Good for
For visitors interested in Buddhist statues, traditional craftsmanship, and religious art.

Good to know before you go

  • Admission is free.
  • The venue is approximately a three-minute walk from Karasuma Oike subway station.
  • The exhibition runs for three days.
Pochikichi's story corner

Why Are the Smallest Details Important When Looking at Buddhist Statues?

Buddhist art encompasses more than statues and paintings. It also includes elaborate decorative techniques that demand extraordinary precision. This exhibition presents around 300 works, including Buddhist sculpture, painting, and kirikane decoration.

Kirikane is a technique used to create extremely fine decorative patterns and is an important element to notice when exploring Buddhist art. While the overall form of a statue may immediately attract attention, the details worked into its surface also reveal the skill of the craftsperson.

The exhibition brings together works by both professional and amateur creators from across Japan. It demonstrates that Buddhist art is not only a historical tradition preserved in museums and temples, but also a living practice that continues today.

When standing before a Buddhist statue, it is easy to miss important details by looking only at its overall form. Take a closer look at the fine carving and delicate kirikane patterns to appreciate the craftsmanship involved.

Sources: Kyoto City Official Travel Guide — Kyoto Tourism Navi (Japanese)

Long ago, around here

What Once Stood in the Sanjo-Takakura Neighborhood?

The Annex of the Museum of Kyoto was originally built as the Kyoto Branch of the Bank of Japan. Completed in 1906, it served as a Bank of Japan office until 1965. Designed by Kingo Tatsuno and Uheiji Nagano, the building is known for its Western-style red-brick architecture.

In 1968, the building became the Heian Museum, and in 1969 it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. A structure originally created for financial business had found a new purpose as a place dedicated to preserving and presenting Kyoto's history and culture.

When walking through Sanjo-Takakura, look for the red-brick Annex of the Museum of Kyoto. Its architecture tells a story of how a financial institution became part of the city's cultural heritage.

Sources: The Museum of Kyoto — History of the Annex (Japanese), Agency for Cultural Affairs — Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties (Japanese)

FAQ

What is 63rd Buddhist Art Exhibition at The Museum of Kyoto?
Around 300 works of Buddhist art, including sculptures, paintings, and intricate kirikane decoration, come together in this exhibition. Now in its 63rd edition, the Buddhist Art Exhibition presents works created by both professional and amateur artists from across Japan. A close look reveals the differences in craftsmanship, from the expressions of Buddhist statues and the folds carved into their robes to delicate patterns made with metallic foil. This year's exhibition also includes collaborative displays with flowers. By presenting religious artworks in a museum setting, the event encourages visitors to appreciate both their visual beauty and the techniques behind their creation.
When is 63rd Buddhist Art Exhibition at The Museum of Kyoto?
From Nov 6 (Fri) to Nov 8 (Sun), 2026.
What are the opening hours?
10:00 – 17:00
How much does it cost?
Free admission
Where is it and what is the nearest station?
The Museum of Kyoto. The nearest station is Karasuma Oike.

More in Kyoto

See all events in Kyoto → · This page in Japanese

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We list events we could confirm on the official page or official Instagram of the venue or organiser. Details can change, tickets sell out and venues close, so check the official page before you go. Distances are straight-line and travel times are rough estimates. Photos show the venue or its surroundings, not the event itself. Titles and descriptions are our own translations from Japanese. This site contains affiliate links (ads).