Japan's First Comprehensive Museum of Buddhism to Convey Buddhist Culture
It is a 12-minute walk from Kyoto Station and is located across the street from Nishi Honganji Temple, a World Cultural Heritage Site. The Ryukoku Museum, a comprehensive Buddhist museum established by Ryukoku University, holds spring and fall special exhibitions and series of exhibitions throughout the year. The special exhibitions have a specific theme and introduce Buddhism from various angles, while the series of exhibitions are divided into "Buddhism in Asia" and "Buddhism in Japan" to introduce the spread of Buddhist culture from the birth of Buddhism to the present day. The high-definition digital restoration of Buddhist murals, created as a joint project between NHK and Ryukoku University, is a must-see, and photography is also available.
This photo shows a full-scale replica of a wall painting at the Bezeklik Caves in Trufan, China (Photo by HIGASHIDE Kiyohiko).
The courtyard is planted with Japanese maple trees and has a pleasant breeze coming through. It can also be used as a rest space.
The motif of the gate and outer wall curtain is the wave pattern of the paper used in the "Nishi Hongwanji Sanju-rokunin Kashu (Nishi Hongwanji 36 Poets Colllection - Feature Collection)".
The spread of Maitreya worship can be appreciated from drawings of the destroyed Bamiyan mural paintings and Buddhist art from various parts of Asia.
Gandhara, 2nd - 3rd century (Lent by Ikuo Hirayama Silk Road Museum)
We will focus on representations of Amida, who changes his appearance in a variety of forms in various doctrines and beliefs. You may be able to see an Amida you have never seen before!
Amida Tripitaka, By Zhang Shikyo, China, Southern Song dynasty, Eikando Zenrinji, Kyoto, Japan
Online reservations are preferred for exhibitions, but same-day tickets are also available at the window. It is close to Kyoto Station and can be used casually to spare time before boarding the bullet train.
Maeda Coffee, a long-established Kyoto coffee shop established in 1971, is also open within the museum. Please take a break not only when visiting the museum, but also when you are in the neighborhood.
Ryukoku Museum
075-351-2500
Shomen-sagaru, Horikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi (Opposite of Nishi Hongan-ji Temple)
2 minutes' walk from Nishi Honganji-mae City Bus Stop
10am-5pm (last admission 4.30pm)
Fee : vary by exhibition
Closing dates : Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday)
WEBSITE : https://museum.ryukoku.ac.jp/
