Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Japan Kyoto Ukiyoe Small Museum
Ukiyoe Small Museum is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

AO Edited

Ukiyoe Small Museum

A tiny collection of traditional Japanese woodblock prints, open only when the owner feels like it.

Kyoto, Japan

Added By
Michelle
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The studio’s signature sign.   Thornet
The owner at work inside the studio.   Trevor Mogg / Alamy
Artwork in the studio.   pastestudios
Artwork in the studio.   pastestudios
The amusing sign.   Kent Wang
Inside the Ukiyoe Small Museum.   nicetry__17
The artist and his work.   pasayuri
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The sign outside this studio is enough to make anyone stop and smile. But the amusingly honest announcement of the studio’s hours isn’t the real attraction. The true treasure lies tucked behind the doors, waiting to be revealed whenever its owner decides to open shop.

If you happen to pass by when the quaint studio is open, you’re in for a real treat. Inside, you’ll find traditional woodblock prints. The prints are a style of Japanese art called ukiyo-e, which was popular between the 17th through 19th centuries.

Though the beautiful images of landscapes, people, animals, and folk tales were once popular, the craft began to wane by the 20th century. Now, there are only about 50 ukiyo-e artists remaining in Japan.

The studio’s owner and resident artist, Ichimura Mamoru, is happy to chat about his work, and will even show you how the prints are made. He’s been practicing the art of ukiyo-e for decades, after learning it from his grandfather as a teenager. As there are so few ukiyo-e artists left in the country, a personal tour of Mamoru’s artwork is a rare experience.

Related Tags

Printing Museums And Collections Museums World's Smallest Art
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

michelle99704

Edited By

erjeffery, Kerry Wolfe

  • erjeffery
  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

June 15, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.japantravel.com/kyoto/world-s-smallest-ukiyo-e-museum/39773
  • https://www.neatorama.com/2016/06/06/Ukiyoe-Small-Museum/
  • https://maps.app.goo.gl/5a6dyoDciaCoUtzJ7
Ukiyoe Small Museum
〒605-0811 Yakasa Dori
Kyoto
Japan
34.998889, 135.773158
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Minatoya Yurei Kosodate-Ame Honpo

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Rokudō Chin’nōji Temple

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan

Places 46
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Minatoya Yurei Kosodate-Ame Honpo

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Rokudō Chin’nōji Temple

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan

Places 46
Stories 5

Related Places

  • A Phoenician lion head.

    Rome, Italy

    Museo Barracco di Scultura Antica

    An expansive collection donated by an heirless nobleman formed this admission-free civic museum.

  • Courtesy National Gallery of Art

    Washington, D.C.

    'Ginevra de’ Benci' Portrait

    The only Leonardo Da Vinci painting in the Western Hemisphere.

  • Works by South Carolinian artist, Jonathan Green.

    Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

    Franklin G. Burroughs - Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum

    This Myrtle Beach art museum features a rotating display of pieces by artists from James Audubon to Frank Lloyd Wright, but it’s their collection of Southern works that truly impresses.

  • The French Shore Interpretation Centre

    Conche, Newfoundland and Labrador

    French Shore Interpretation Centre

    A small museum in Newfoundland is home to a 227-foot tapestry that preserves the remote region's colorful history.

  • Día de Muertos Offering.

    Metepec, Mexico

    Museo del Barro (Museum of Clay)

    A collection of incredible clay crafts, complete with earthen skeletons and mermaids.

  • A slice-of-life display

    Cuenca, Ecuador

    Museo Pumapungo (Pumapungo Museum)

    This museum’s collection includes rescued birds, fine art, and a collection of shrunken heads.

  • The museum celebrating a double Pulitzer winner.

    Key West, Florida

    Tennessee Williams Museum

    This small Key West museum is packed with dozens of artifacts that illustrate the life of the iconic playwright.

  • The hacienda kitchen.

    Guadalajara, Mexico

    Museo Regional de la Cerámica (Regional Museum of Ceramics)

    One of Mexico’s historic pottery-producing towns is home to a museum showcasing the craft.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.