Kyoto International Manga Museum

In short

The Kyoto International Manga Museum opened in November 2006 as a joint project between Kyoto City and Kyoto Seika University, combining the functions of a museum, a library, and a research institution. Its collection of manga materials numbers around 300,000 items. The building is the former schoolhouse of Tatsuike Elementary School, renovated by connecting structures including the main building constructed in 1929 (Showa 4).

• ​Wall of Manga​​: Approximately 50,000 books, primarily tankobon volumes published since the 1970s, line a total of 200 meters of bookshelves running along the interior walls, and visitors can freely read them anywhere on the grounds
• ​"Phoenix" Object​​: On the wall of the open atrium stands a 4.5-meter-tall and 11-meter-wide wooden sculpture of Tezuka Osamu's "Phoenix" (Hi no Tori)
• ​Kamishibai and Manga Studio​​: At the kamishibai hut on the second floor, performances of "MM Kamishibai" are staged. On weekends and public holidays, there are also live "Manga Studio" demonstrations by professional manga artists

History and Highlights

The ​Kyoto International Manga Museum​ opened in November 2006 as a joint project between Kyoto City and Kyoto Seika University. It is a facility that collects, preserves, and exhibits manga materials while also conducting research on manga culture, combining the functions of a museum, a library, and a research institution. Its collection of manga materials numbers around 300,000 items, spanning from Edo-period caricature ukiyo-e woodblock prints to magazines from the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods, postwar rental books, current popular titles, and foreign works.

The building was formerly the schoolhouse of Tatsuike Elementary School. Tatsuike Elementary School opened in 1869 (Meiji 2) as one of the 64 Bangumi Elementary Schools based on neighborhood district units. Built through donations from residents of the school district, it merged with four nearby elementary schools in 1995 (Heisei 7). The museum was created by renovating and connecting three structures—the main building constructed in 1929 (Showa 4), the north building, and the auditorium/gymnasium. With creaking corridors and tiled stairs left almost untouched, visitors can experience the modern architectural atmosphere of the early Showa period.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Wall of Manga​​: Approximately 50,000 manga books, primarily tankobon volumes published since the 1970s, line a total of 200 meters of bookshelves running along the interior walls. The first floor is dedicated to shonen (boys') manga, the second floor to shojo (girls') manga, and the third floor to seinen (young men's) manga, all arranged in Japanese alphabetical order by artist. Visitors can pick up books and freely read them anywhere on the grounds.
• ​"Phoenix" Object and Main Exhibition​​: On the wall of the open atrium stands an 11-meter-wide and 4.5-meter-tall wooden sculpture of Tezuka Osamu's "Phoenix" (Hi no Tori). It was crafted using traditional techniques typically used for Buddhist statues, namely yosegi-zukuri (joined-wood construction) and gyokugan (inlaid crystal eyes). In the main gallery on the second floor, a permanent exhibition addresses the question "What is manga?" by presenting manga through various fields such as history, society, and industry.
• ​Kamishibai and Manga Studio​​: At the kamishibai hut on the second floor, performances of "MM Kamishibai" are staged, keeping the nostalgic tradition of street-corner paper plays alive today. On weekends and public holidays, there are live "Manga Studio" demonstrations where professional manga artists showcase their process from rough drafts to finished artwork.

Walking Tips

On sunny days, visitors can lie down on the lawn field within the grounds to read manga. The museum is about a 2-minute walk north of Karasuma Oike Subway Station. The Museum of Kyoto is located about 400 meters to the southeast, and Choho-ji Temple is about 500 meters to the south, making it easy to explore alongside other downtown sights.