basic information

As the capital and the seat of the Imperial Court for over 1000 years, Kyoto has set the quality standard for Japanese arts and crafts. Members of the Imperial Court were particularly influential patrons and practitioners of the arts, and their influence resulted in the development of many popular art forms. The city remains the most important center of traditional Japanese crafts today.

Pottery is a common craft throughout Japan and one of Kyoto's most popular specialties. Of the different styles of Kyoto pottery (kyo-yaki), Kiyomizu pottery is the most famous. This ceramic ware and porcelain is hand painted with elaborate designs and often used in the tea ceremony. Kiyomizu pottery is named after the area around Kiyomizudera Temple, where it was first developed. It is still widely available for purchase in stores around Kiyomizudera.

Kyoto's kimono are also regarded to be among Japan's finest specimen. Two methods of kimono manufacturing native to Kyoto are silk weaving (nishijin-ori) and silk dyeing (kyo-yuzen). The silk weaving method was developed as a result of demand from the Imperial Court for beautiful fabrics and elegant clothing and involves dying the yarn before weaving it into patterns and images on fabrics. In the silk dying method, the images and patterns are dyed after the fabric has been produced.

The first evidence of Japanese dolls dates from the Jomon Period. However, Kyoto dolls (kyo-ningyo) became popular during the Heian Period, when they were thought to bring luck and health to children. Gradually, the dolls became popular with daughters of aristocrats in the Imperial Court and the craft was further developed. Kyoto dolls are still one of the more popular Kyoto specialties.

Folding fans (kyo-sensu) decorated with beautiful pictures were a status symbol in the Imperial Court. They were carried by both men and women and used according to a strict code of decorum. Folding fans are a popular souvenir among foreign tourists, and kyo-sensu are regarded as the country's highest quality fans.

Lacquer ware is another hallmark craft of Japan, and the Kyoto variety, kyo-shikki, is especially popular. Lacquer ware originated in the Nara Period, but it only became widespread about 500 years later. Kyoto lacquer ware was frequently used in tea ceremonies and is still widely produced for this purpose.

Home to the Emperor for over 1000 years, Kyoto often hosted elaborate shinto ceremonies and festivities. Specialized Shinto objects, such as masks, crowns and instruments were developed for these events, some of which can be seen in Kyoto's many shrines. The city remains Japan's main producer of Shinto objects today.

Other Kyoto crafts include ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), Japanese umbrellas (wagasa), various crafts and tools made of bamboo, and washi paper, a thick type of paper used for origami, ukiyo-e prints and many other purposes.

Kyoto has dozens of facilities catering to the sale, creation and teaching of various handicrafts. Buyers seeking original, handmade pieces can trust store owners' advice; owners and facility managers are honest about the quality and price of their products. Besides the usual craft and souvenir shops, many Kyoto craft specialists also offer programs, allowing guests to try producing their own crafts.

Kyoto Craft Centers:

	Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts (Fureaikan) Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (admission until 16:30) Closed: December 29 to January 3 Admission: Free The Fureaikan, located in the Miyako Messe convention hall, provides beautiful displays and multilingual explanations on nearly every Kyoto craft. If also offers workshops and classes.
	Nishijin Textile Center Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: December 29 to January 3 Admission: Free Nishijin Textile Center, named after the city district and local kimono weaving technique, offers interesting displays on kimono, and a kimono show is held several times a day. Last but not least, there is a large shopping section.
	Kyoto Handicraft Center Hours: daily 10:00 to 18:00 Closed: January 1 to 3 Admission: Free The Kyoto Handicraft Center is a store with seven floors of crafts ranging from key chains to hand painted fans and swords. Visitors can watch artisans create various crafts and participate in workshops and classes.

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how to get there

Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts (Fureaikan) and Kyoto Handicraft Center:

The Fureaikan and Kyoto Handicraft Center stand close to one another and can easily be combined. Fureaikan is located just south of Heian Shrine, while the Handicraft Center is just to the north of Heian Shrine.

By bus from Kyoto Station, Kyoto City Bus numbers 5 and 100 take passengers to Kyotokaikan Bijutsukan-mae bus stop (about 25 minutes, 220 yen).

Both facilities can also be accessed in about ten minutes on foot from Keihan Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Railway Line or Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Subway Line.

Nishijin Textile Center:

Take the Karasuma Subway Line from Kyoto Station to Imadegawa Station (9 minutes, 250 yen), from where Nishijin Textile Center is a 10 minute walk in western direction near the junction of Imadegawa and Horikawa Streets.

Visitors can also board Kyoto City Bus numbers 9 or 101 from Kyoto Station. Disembark at Horikawa-Imadegawa bus stop (about 25 minutes, 220 yen).

How to get to and around Kyoto

news and reports

	Kyoto Autumn Color Report November 21, 2009
	Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Arashiyama November 19, 2009
	Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Higashiyama November 18, 2009
	Kyoto Autumn Color Report: Kurama November 16, 2009
	Kyoto Autumn Color Report November 12, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 15, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 12, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 7, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 4, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report April 1, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report March 30, 2009
	Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report March 25, 2009

hotels & ryokan

Kyoto Ryokan Shoei This charming budget hotel is located in the historical Shimabara district of Kyoto. Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto Voted No.1 hostel in Asia by Hostelworld customers. 9 mins walk from JR Kyoto station Bed from 2,500 yen. Kyoto White Hotel From 4,150 yen per night. 3 minutes from JR Kyoto station. Gion Hatanaka A real Japanese inn in a quiet area of Gion, famous for Geisha. 15min walk to Kiyomizu-dera. 5min to Yasaka-jinja. Ryokan Saka-no-ue Traditional, cozy ryokan with 12 rooms. Japanese cottage style houses available. Located near Yasaka Shrine and Gion. Ryokan Hirashin 3min walk to Shijo Karasuma Sta. Spacious Japanese-style rooms. 140 years of history. Public baths renovated in 2006. Hotel Sugicho A ryokan in the center of Kyoto town. From 4000yen. 4 train stations are within walking distance. Try the Kyoto Kaiseki. Guest Inn Chita A small traditional inn run by a very kind staff. From 3500yen per guest. 10 min from Kyoto Station. Renewed in 2006. Station Ryokan Seiki Japanese-style, friendly and affordable family-run inn located only 5 minutes walk from JR Kyoto Station. Tomiya Ryokan A traditional Japanese inn located 2 min walk from Kyoto Station. Close to bus terminal for all the attractions. Japanese hotel, Ryokan Nishiyama Experience the real Japan at our affordable ryokan. Close to major tourist spots in Kyoto. Hotel Sanoya 3 min from north exit of JR Kyoto Sta. but in quiet area. Cozy, clean Japanese rooms with bath. Internet PC in lobby. Ryokan Wakamiya Inexpensive, cozy inn with helpful staff. 7 min walk from JR Kyoto Sta. Free Internet PC. Communal baths on top floor.

tours and packages

Kyoto Tours Various tours and travel packages for Kyoto and surroundings.

english links

japanese links