Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum
Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
67 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
18
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
1
LaBu
San Francisco, California245 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
This attraction offers a change of pace from the usual round of Kyoto gardens, as well as a rare opportunity to step inside a traditional Japanese house. Despite the name, it's not really a museum, nor does it come across as a memorial. Instead, it's a private house, a delightful mix of lofts, changes in levels, and small rooms, all filled with Kanjiro’s idiosyncratic collection of ceramics and sculpture. There are also two kilns, one quite large and impressive.
The house is off the beaten tourist path, which means it’s uncrowded, and there’s no attempt to sell Kanjiro’s or anyone else’s pottery.
The house is off the beaten tourist path, which means it’s uncrowded, and there’s no attempt to sell Kanjiro’s or anyone else’s pottery.
Written June 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travellerfromatown
Allentown, PA2,890 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
We were lucky enough to hear his granddaughter give a talk about his life and work, which made our visit even more memorable. But the house and kiln are amazing on their own. The architecture as well as the decor and artwork create a home that is inviting and itself a work of art. The walk in kiln is amazing! We explored for almost an hour.
Written November 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia D
Melbourne, Australia123 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
This place was an eye opener. It was the home and studio of The Late Kawai Kanjiro, a founder of Japan's Mingei art movement in the 1920s and 30s. The house/studio has two kilns, one enormous that has various levels and a hoist for moving large pieces of work. It must have been hard to keep warm in winter as there are so many open spaces but there are a number of braziers that would have churned out heat. Perhaps the kilns would have warmed the house as well. We loved the personality of the house as it reflected this much loved and revered artist.
Written May 1, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brixtontrev
United Kingdom1,730 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
This place is very easy to find and really should be visited more by non Japanese. Most foreign visitors seem to be artisans which figures given Kawai Kanjiro's ouvre. The house is quite large and comfortable which would seem to be indicative of his success. The receptionists are very welcoming to non Japanese visitors, and its a relaxed atmosphere which adds to the pleasure of a visit here. Not all of his art might readily appeal to all visitors. Its also worth visiting the kilns which are located on site and are also quite extensive. be careful upstairs as there are a couple of places where a foot put carelessly wrong could result in being back downstairs without using the stairs. Take it slowly and carefully as socked feet can slip on polished wooden staircases
Written April 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter S
31 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
This was somewhat of a pilgrimage, being a potter myself, and on business/vacation with my wife for two weeks. I was humbled by his house, kiln, workshop. Such thought, reverence and attention to detail, as in all crafts and art.
Written November 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
askiki
Kyoto, Japan51 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
Every time I have a foreign guest, I take him or her to this place. This is a house designed by a sculptor and potter, Kanjiro Kawai. With his designed / made furniture, this place can be more tangible and you could actually feel his philosophy without any verbal explanation. This place truly is filled with peaceful atmosphere. If you're interested in something real, (extra)ordinary life of Kyoto, I strongly recommend to visit this place. You would understand the meaning of 'life.'
Written July 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AvaS125
New York City, NY44 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
This ceramicist was a brilliant artist who worked in a very traditional Japanese house and garden, but created extremely modern designs in both ceramics and in wood creations. There are also works of art that he collected from other artists too, which are great to see in situ, to understand what inspired him. A real highlight for us in Kyoto, as the peaceful place was an antidote to the crowds of people at the various shrines and temples.
Written May 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sushilou
Sydney, Australia56 contributions
Kawai Kanjiro was a potter, sculptor, writer and thinker who lived from the 1880s to the 1960s. He was connected with the mingei movement and Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada.
He lived and worked in this house for most of his life.
Today the house, pottery and gigantic chamber kiln are as he would have known them, with many examples of his work on display.
Even if you don't love pottery this is a wonderful opportunity to see how a middle class family would have lived in the early to mid 20th Century. The house is exquisite - beautiful natural materials and superb traditional details. Even the floorboards are stunning.
Find the housing a small side road off the far eastern end of Gojo Dori on the southern side of the road. Look for the last turning before Gojo Dori intersects with Higashoji Dori.
Entry fee 900 yen. Plan on spending an hour there.
He lived and worked in this house for most of his life.
Today the house, pottery and gigantic chamber kiln are as he would have known them, with many examples of his work on display.
Even if you don't love pottery this is a wonderful opportunity to see how a middle class family would have lived in the early to mid 20th Century. The house is exquisite - beautiful natural materials and superb traditional details. Even the floorboards are stunning.
Find the housing a small side road off the far eastern end of Gojo Dori on the southern side of the road. Look for the last turning before Gojo Dori intersects with Higashoji Dori.
Entry fee 900 yen. Plan on spending an hour there.
Written April 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kvasir
London, UK1,298 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
This two-storey property provides intriguing insights into the shape and furnishings of an attractive Japanese home.
The exhibits are thought-provoking. Not only a diverse collection of the ceramics for which this renowned artist is famous, but also calligraphies, wood carvings and amazing sculptures are on display. The huge kiln, fuelled by logs, is impressive.
The exhibits are thought-provoking. Not only a diverse collection of the ceramics for which this renowned artist is famous, but also calligraphies, wood carvings and amazing sculptures are on display. The huge kiln, fuelled by logs, is impressive.
Written May 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nancy c
new york city182 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
It's cetainlyworth visiting the home-workshop of this early 20th century artist if you are interested in ceramics or historical houses. The Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum is the well-preserved, traditional Kyoto machiya , garden and workspace of this esteemed , humane artist, whose pottery, woodwork, furniture and calligraphy are displayed in the rambling structure , as well as 2 kilns he used. A tranquil atmosphere,
Written October 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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