Zen and Ghibli Exhibition, Kyoto 2026

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Why You Should Visit

An immersive exhibition built on Zen and Ghibli, a book of conversations between Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki and Zen monks, comes to Higashiyama Cube at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art. It centers on the Oscar-winning The Boy and the Heron, recreating the "other world" that Mahito enters with the grey heron through sculpture and spatial design, alongside famous lines and stills from Ghibli films and Suzuki's calligraphy. There is no timed entry, so you can visit any open day. Billed as "Ghibli for grown-ups," it uses familiar films as a way into the Zen idea of living in the here and now — fitting for a city full of Zen temples.

Essentials

location

Higashiyama Cube, Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art

period

October 3, 2026 (Sat) - December 6, 2026 (Sun)

Time

10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30). Closed Mondays (open Oct 12 and Nov 23)

cost

Same-day: adults & university students ¥1,900 / junior & senior high ¥1,500 / elementary ¥1,100. Advance & group: ¥1,700 / ¥1,300 / ¥900. Preschoolers free. Visitors with a disability certificate and one caregiver are free

Links

Official Website

TICKET

Book online tickets for smooth entry on the day.

Tickets on Rakuten Travel Experiences

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

About 8 minutes on foot from Higashiyama Station on the Tozai subway line. Parking is limited, so public transport is recommended.

There are 12 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Higashiyama Cube, Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, and 6 public restrooms within 8 minutes. The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

TICKETS / REGISTRATION

No reservation or timed entry needed. Same-day tickets are sold at the venue; advance tickets are on sale via Ticket Pia, e+, Lawson Ticket, Seven Ticket, Rakuten Travel Experiences and others. Ticket info (official)

NOTE

Highlights

Sculpture and spatial design recreating the "other world" of The Boy and the Heron
Famous lines and stills from Ghibli films, plus calligraphy by Toshio Suzuki
The many "other worlds" of Ghibli — the world Chihiro wanders into, Ponyo's sea, Howl's moving castle

Special tickets

Advance pair ticket (2 adults ¥3,200): until Fri Oct 2, 23:59, via Ticket Pia, e+, Lawson Ticket and Seven Ticket
Ticket with special goshuin vouchers for Nanzen-ji, Shokoku-ji and Myoshin-ji: ¥1,600 on JR Central's EX Tabisaki Yoyaku, ¥1,800 from Oct 3; limited quantity (the version with a goshuin book is sold out)
Zazen meditation set ticket at Daiji-in, Daitoku-ji (adults ¥3,700 / junior & senior high ¥3,300 / elementary ¥2,900): via Ticket Pia; timed sessions of up to 8 people; November and December sessions go on sale Oct 1 (planned)

Inside

Photography allowed in some areas only
No re-entry as a rule
The shop is for exhibition visitors only
Preschoolers must be accompanied by someone junior-high age or older; elementary students and up may enter alone

Next exhibition

Dec 17, 2026 – Jan 11, 2027: "Hakuin's Zen," planned and produced by Studio Ghibli, at the same Higashiyama Cube

*Temple admission and goshuin fees are paid separately.

*If the galleries become crowded, priority reservations may be introduced during the run.

FAQ

Do I need a timed ticket or reservation?

No. There is no timed entry, so you can visit on any open day, and same-day tickets are sold at the venue. If the galleries get crowded, a priority-reservation system may be introduced during the run.

When is the museum closed?

Mondays. It stays open on the public holidays of Monday Oct 12 and Monday Nov 23.

Can I come with kids or a stroller?

Preschoolers get in free when accompanied by someone junior-high age or older. Depending on crowds, viewing with a stroller may be difficult and you may be directed to stroller parking. A nursing room is available.

Calendar

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