MIHO MUSEUM

Incredible architecture poetrily hides in the mountains that near the Kyoto Station about less than one hour drive distance. Strongly suggest you rent a car from Kyoto Station, we rented it from 11:00 to 19:00 and we didn’t experience traffic jam even when we back to the Station from museum around 16:00 pm.

For photography lover, you do need zoom lens from extra-wide angle to abt 100mm. However, it’s not allow photograph inside the exhibition. You cannot take any pictures about paintings, statues or any concrete things in the exhibition of this museum.

Have always wanted to visit this museum after watching it in a documentary. The architecture is stunning especially the approach to the museum. The autumn colours were nice on the day we visited.

It is a beautiful art museum with scenic views amid mountains. You can buy bus tickets at Ishiyama bus station.

The museum architecture is the main point of the visit. The Cherry blossom paradise theme of a man who escaped from war stumbled upon this place. Compared to the Louvre and the National Mesuem North Wing，the small museum exhibits I.E.Pei style of merging nature into the structure. The Bell Tower is interesting viewing it from afar and it represents the Japanese spirit of calm and harmony. Grateful of Miho Sect for their effort in their contribution to enhance our awareness of the greatness of deity and be humble.

warm and calming interiors. cute and inviting collection. the tofu and the bakery are absolute gems.

bus+museum tickets with slight discount available at the bus ticket machine outside Ishiyama station.

What a beautiful place not even mention it's a museum! The architect designer made the place. It's definitely worth to take one hour bus to visit.

This was an exhibit more than a museum at least based on my experience. Overall this place was extremely beautiful. Exhibit were gorgeous with of course the tunnel and cherry blossoms capping and bringing the entire museum together

An easy day trip by train to Ishiyama, then a lovely bus ride to the museum, this is definitely worth a visit. You can buy tickets to the exhibit plus round trip bus fare from the ticket machine next to the bus stop (available in Japanese and English). The museum's collection is interesting and well-done. And the grounds are beautiful and calming. An audio guide is offered in a number of languages, including Japanese, English, Mandarin, Cantonese and more, so please take advantage. The audio guide would enhance the visit tremendously for all visitors. And if taking a bus back, please be mindful of the bus times. I'm glad I spent the day here.

Really enjoyed our visit here, though it requires a commitment in time and money to enjoy it's beauty. We were lucky that the cherry blossoms where in bloom. What a spectacular walk then up through the blossoms into the tunnel and out onto the bridge. Museum was equally good. We enjoyed the Noh mask exhibit. Then the remaining rooms.

It's the highlight of my third trip to Kyoto.
The museum itself is a piece of art.
I enjoyed thoroughly the time inside, amazing architecture, the display, the food, and the souvenir shopping.

I will be back next time when the cherry blossom season.

Possibly one of the most rewarding places to visit in Japan. Its interesting that this museum is hardly mentioned in any online guides and we were told by someone who had visited. From Kyoto it is a train and then local bus to get there - around 90 minutes all up. We deliberately timed it to be there as the museum opened. What an amazing place. It was designed by I.M Pei and it is one of the most visually impressive buildings I have ever seen. The collections are quite small but what they have is amazing. There is also a wonderful restaurant that serves amazing organic vegetarian food against a wonderful view of the garden and valley. A stunning, stunning experience and absolutely worth the effort to get there.

Beautiful place with amazing collections of artefacts. Rent an audio guide which includes a comprehensive explanation.

This museum was designed by I.M.Pei who is known for the architect designed the glass pyramid of Louvre Museum.
The stainless steel tunnel leads to the museum is so nice. I heard the tunnel looks more beautiful in spring because the pink color of the cherry blossoms at the entrance to the tunnel reflect its stainless steel wall. Unfortunately the buds of cherry blossoms were less than usual this year 2021.
I would like to go there in the season of cherry blossoms again. 🌸🌸

Must visit! Worth your time and money.

I really liked the museum its surroundings. Covered by nature and a tunnel which connects the museum’s reception with the museum.

The exhibition theme changes from time to time. Please check their website on forehand to check if its open.

Location:
Please check before going to make sure you are on the bus. There is only 1 bus per hour.

Please take the JR Tokaido Line (local, rapid or special rapid service) from Kyoto Station to Ishiyama Station. From there take Teisan bus number 150 to the Miho Museum (820 yen single journey , 50 min). Payment can only be done CASH. You cant swap your transportation card.

The bus departs from bus stop three and says Miho Museum in both English and Japanese on its sign.

The bus arrives at the museum's reception building which contains the ticket desk, gift shop, and a small restaurant.

Purchase your tickets here before making your way to the museum's entrance either on foot (ten minutes) or by free museum shuttle. I suggest to walk and you will enjoy and catch some fresh air.

Restaurant:
Delicious food but they serve no meat! Coming just before lunch time if you are in a hurry or to avoid long queues.

Advise:
Those who would like to take nice photos , avoid weekends and come on weekdays taking the first bus! There will be already some people who came by car or tour operator. If you come after 11 its very crowded.

The design of this museum was inspired by a Chinese poem, which says when you think it’s a dead end, you will find paradise after you passing through path with light and darkness. And this museum can resemble this poem so perfectly.

And not only the tunnel is amazing, but the museum itself is so beautifully designed, Mr. I.M.Pei wishes to bring natural light to the exhibit so there are windows by different angles from ceiling to walls and makes visitors feel so much blended with the nature even we are inside the museum.

Deeply appreciated such master piece. And thank god I have come to visit it even though it is quite far away from town center.

Fusion of new and old, east and west, seamlessly created to bring the viewer to a state of beauty and tranquility. The aesthetics of this place were very nice. The walk was peaceful and inspiring and the art exhibits were unique. This weekend, they had a collection of Bizen pottery from Okayama prefecture with both old artifacts and new works by artists imitating the techniques. I think it is a bit on the pricey side for the transportation and museum ticket itself as the museum collection was quite small. However, if you want a lovely bus ride into the mountains and to see a pristine museum and some interesting architecture, then it may be worth it to you. Check their website for details. It’s very easy to find and get to the place from Ishiyama JR station. Also be aware that the museum was created with a specific religious group’s beliefs in mind. Look up the interesting history of the place before you go to make more sense of the experience.

Beautiful building and exquisite exhibitions in a paradise like setting. Do not miss the documentary detailing the concept and process of planning and building

Went there to enjoy the weeping sakura, the view was awesome 😍😍😍

To reach this place, if you are using public transportation : there is a bus, from Ishiyama station to Miho Museum, it runs every hour. It will take approximately 50 minutes, and the fare for adult is 820¥, for children 410¥ each direction.

Museum ticket fee is 1100¥ for the adult,
300¥ for the student under 16 years old, and 800¥ for the student > 16 years old (you need to show them the id that verifies this.

The last bus to Ishiyama Station is 17.14 (on the weekday) -I forgot to take a picture of the bus schedule- the staff will announce and remind you that the last bus will depart-.

There are many places to eat your meal/snack while enjoying the Sakura view (sakura garden) and there is a restaurant near the ticketing office.

Love the mountain vibe. Enjoy triangle theme architecture. It seems like a more famous place for Chinese speaking people because I.M Pei was a world famous Chinese architect.

My Japanese tutor seems only interested in it after I told her that he is the same architect who makes Pyramide du Louvre…

This was a second visit. I was attracted so much to this museum that I've wanted to go again. Anyway I'll go again.