Hosomi Museum

Hosomi Museum is an art museum in the Okazaki area of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, specializing in Japanese traditional arts. It opened in 1998 based on the collection of the Hosomi family, beginning with Hosomi Kokōan, an entrepreneur and notable collector of Japanese art. The museum curates a wide range of themed exhibitions featuring ukiyo-e prints, Rinpa school works, kimono and textiles, ceramics, ornaments, and objects tied to Kyoto’s seasonal culture. In particular, its Rinpa holdings are highly regarded, and exhibitions spotlighting artists such as Nakamura Hōchū, Itō Jakuchū, and Suzuki Kiitsu are especially popular. The museum also hosts gallery talks, dialogues, and tea gatherings, offering multiple ways to engage with art. The building has three above-ground floors and two basement levels with a modern design incorporating Japanese aesthetics. The basement art shop sells items such as small plates featuring Rinpa motifs—easy ways to bring traditional art into daily life. On the third floor is the tea room "Kokōan," where tea gatherings are held, providing opportunities to experience traditional culture firsthand. The museum is located southwest of Heian Shrine and is about a 10-minute walk from Higashiyama Subway Station.