A compact hall of wonders, the Shosuikaku is one of the most fascinating ways to learn what is possible with the techniques of Nishijin weaving.
UPDATE: Unfortunately Shosuikaku has now permanently closed
Housed in a lovely old wooden Nishijin house, the Shosuikaku is a small private museum where some truly remarkable examples of Nishijin weaving are on display. But the crowning glory is upstairs. Your guide will lead you to a room on the second floor and ask you to be seated in the center of the room. She will then control the lighting and music to create an absolutely mind blowing experience of changing colors and patterns (the woven murals are composed of threads that react differently to different colored lights, meaning that hidden patterns are revealed as the illumination changes). It’s highly recommended.
English address:
Kita-gawa, Teranouchi-dori Chiekoin Higashi iru, Kamigyo-ku
Japanese address::
上京区寺之内通智恵光院東入ル北側
Opening hours:
9:30am-5pm
Closed during Obon holiday and new year holiday
Admission:
\200
Junior high school students and younger: Free
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
10min walk from Horikawa Imadegawa Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 9 from Kyoto Station
Telephone: 431-1670
Website:
Official Website (English)
Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Nishijin Recommendations
See my list of hand-picked recommendations for Nishijin, including things to do and places to eat.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com – usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Kansai International Airport (for Osaka and Kyoto) or Tokyo's Narita Airport. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're visiting more than one city, save a ton of money with a Japan Rail Pass – here's my explanation of why it's worth it
- A prepaid Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
