Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
京都文化博物館
; 222-0888; Takakura-dōri, Sanjō agaru, Nakagyō-ku; admission ¥500, extra for special
exhibitions; 10am-7.30pm, special exhibitions to 6pm Sat-Thu, 7.30pm Fri; 3min walk from Karasuma-Oike
Station, Karasuma & Tōzai subway lines)
This museum is worth visiting if a special exhibition is on
(the regular exhibits are not particularly interesting and don't have much in the way of
English explanations). On the 1st floor, the Roji Tempō is a reconstruction of a typical
merchant area in Kyoto during the Edo period (this section can be entered free; some of
the shops sell souvenirs and serve local dishes). Check the
Kyoto Visitors Guide
or
Kansai
Time Out
for upcoming special exhibitions.
KYOTO COMMON SENSE
Common sense varies from place to place. In New York, you take the subway. In Kathmandu, you avoid drink-
ing the tap water. In Russia, you don't challenge the locals to drinking contests. In Kyoto, even if you dispense
with common sense, you don't run the risk of serious trouble, but there are a few things to keep in mind that
will make everything easier and perhaps a little safer:
»
Look both ways
when exiting a shop or hotel onto a pavement - there is almost always someone on a bicycle
coming tearing your way. This is especially important if you have young ones in tow.
»
Don't take a taxi
in the main Higashiyama sightseeing district during cherry blossom season - the streets will
be so crowded that it will be faster to walk or cycle.
»
Never wait in line for food
even in the busy season. There are so many restaurants in Kyoto that it never
makes sense to wait in line to get into a crowded restaurant (you'll see local tourists queuing at popular spots,
but there's no need to follow their example).
KALEIDOSCOPE MUSEUM OF KYOTO
OFFLINE MAP
(
京都万華鏡ミュージアム
; 254-7902; Nakagyō-ku, Aneyakōji, Takakura; adult/child ¥300/200, special
exhibits extra; 10am-5.30pm, closed Mon; 3min walk from Karasuma- Oike Station, Karasuma & Tōzai sub-
way lines)
This one-room museum is filled with unexpected wonders. Frankly, we had no
idea of the variety and complexity in the field of kaleidoscopes. We don't know who will
enjoy this more, children or the adults trying to keep them entertained. It's right behind
the Museum of Kyoto.
| MUSEUM
SHIORI-AN
OFFLINE MAP
| MUSEUM
