When people think of sightseeing in Kyoto, their attention naturally turns to its historic temples and shrines, but the city’s appeal goes far beyond that. True to its reputation as a hub of culture and the arts, Kyoto is also home to attractions that showcase contemporary culture. One standout is the Kyoto International Manga Museum.
A Retro-Style Museum in a Former Elementary School
As its name suggests, the Kyoto International Manga Museum is dedicated to the world of manga. It opened in 2006 as a joint project between the City of Kyoto and Kyoto Seika University, the only university in Japan with a faculty devoted exclusively to manga. The museum is located just a short walk from Karasuma Oike Station in the heart of the city.
Step through the entrance next to the Maeda Coffee shop on site, and you’ll find the museum shop, which is open to the public without an admission fee. To explore the museum itself, purchase a ticket (1,200 yen for adults) and step into the world of manga.
The museum has a charming retro atmosphere, thanks to its setting in the former Tatsuike Elementary School, which was built around a hundred years ago. Although the school has since closed, the principal’s office remains intact and can be viewed from the original wooden hallway, preserving a piece of the past.
The Former Principal’s Office of Tatsuike Elementary School
Besides the former principal’s office, the museum also has a director’s office. The current director is Hiroshi Aramata, a well-known writer with encyclopedic knowledge. He is also well-versed in manga and was chosen for the role partly because he once aspired to be a shōjo manga artist. While he is not always on site, a life-sized photo of him greets visitors as they arrive.
Current director Hiroshi Aramata
A Collection of Approximately 300,000 Manga and Memorabilia
Apart from a few areas like the principal’s office, the museum is filled with manga-related exhibits across all three floors. One of the first things that catches your eye is the ‘Manga Expo’ corner, where you’ll find Japanese manga translated into many different languages alongside manga published overseas.
The Manga Expo features Manga from Japan and around the world.
The manga on display in the Manga Expo represent only a small fraction of the collection. Each floor features bookshelves known as the ‘Manga Walls,’ packed tightly with around 50,000 manga volumes. Each floor focuses on a different genre of manga, which are usually categorized by the target audience, along with certain themes and styles.
The first floor is dedicated to shōnen manga, typically enjoyed by young boys and often centered on action, friendship, and rivalry. Popular titles include ‘One Piece,’ ‘Naruto,’ and ‘My Hero Academia.’ The second floor focuses on shōjo manga, usually created for young girls and often exploring themes like romance, relationships, and personal growth. ‘Sailor Moon,’ ‘Fruits Basket,’ and ‘Ouran High School Host Club’ are iconic examples. The third floor highlights seinen manga, aimed at adult readers with more mature and complex stories. Well-known titles in this genre include ‘Berserk,’ ‘Ghost in the Shell,’ and ‘Tokyo Ghoul.’
One of the Manga Walls housing a variety of genres.
Hiroko Nakamura, the museum’s PR officer, says the collection holds about 300,000 manga and related materials. While some items require special permission to access, visitors are welcome to pick up and read any manga from the “Manga Wall.” You can’t take them home, but you’re allowed to bring them outside to the old schoolyard plaza (shown below).
The Main Gallery Where Historic Works Come Together
As you walk through the open corridor on the second floor, you’ll pass a giant Phoenix sculpture and arrive at one of the museum’s highlights: the Main Gallery. Once the school auditorium, this spacious area now features a collection of landmark works from 1912 to 2005. The gallery also includes informative panel displays that delve into topics like manga production techniques and the evolution of manga magazines, offering a rewarding and immersive experience for visitors.
1st image : A massive 11-meter-wide sculpture of the Phoenix, the eternal bird at the heart of Osamu Tezuka’s iconic manga series ‘Phoenix’ (© Tezuka Productions).
2nd image : A wide range of panel displays offers fresh insights into the world of manga.
Packed with Ways to Enjoy Manga Culture from Every Angle
Alongside the permanent exhibits, the museum regularly holds special temporary exhibitions and smaller displays. When I visited, the ‘Manga and Board Games’ exhibit was running until July 1. It showcased real board games featured in manga, with informative panels explaining their significance. It was a unique chance to explore the fascinating depth of manga culture.
One of the museum’s standout features is that visitors can not only read and look but also actively participate. For example, there are various workshops where you can enjoy activities like inking manga characters (advance reservation and a fee are required). There’s also a ‘Caricature Corner’ where professional artists draw portraits. According to Ms. Nakamura, “This corner is very popular with international visitors, and spots fill up quickly.” Of the roughly 300,000 annual visitors, about 30% are now from overseas.
The ever-popular Caricature Corner
Indeed, the museum’s visitors come from a wide range of nationalities, ethnicities, and age groups. For someone like me, who was born and raised in Japan, the museum feels like a time machine that brings back nostalgic memories through classic manga. For younger people and international visitors, it’s more like a hidden treasure trove, full of new discoveries. Everyone enjoys the museum in their own way, which gives the Kyoto International Manga Museum its unique charm. If you’re looking for a fresh way to experience Kyoto, definitely add it to your itinerary.
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Address: Former Ryuike Elementary School, Karasuma-dori Oike-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0846
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)
Closed: Wednesdays (or the following day if a holiday), New Year’s holidays, and maintenance periods
Website : https://kyotomm.jp
X : @kyotomm
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/kyotomm1
