Most visitors come to Kyoto’s most famous district, Gion, hoping to spot geisha and often crowding the main roads with cameras in hand (please, resist the urge). But there’s another way to experience this storied neighborhood: by slipping into its quiet side streets and exploring a constellation of galleries where Kyoto’s artistic traditions meet contemporary expression. Begin at Shibunkaku, founded in 1937, where exhibitions of early modern painting and calligraphy open a window into the intellectual life of the city. Continue on to Nonaka-Hill, the Kyoto outpost of a Los Angeles gallery, where contemporary Japanese ceramicists push the boundaries of clay and fire. Then, step inside the wooden machiya that houses Yumekoubou, dedicated to modern crafts and works by artists such as Tanabe Chikuunsai IV, whose bamboo installations feel both primal and otherworldly. Finish with a visit to The Shinmonzen, a contemporary ryokan designed by architect Tadao Ando, whose diminutive lobby dazzles with works by Louise Bourgeois, Gerhard Richter, and Damien Hirst. Toast with a glass of Château La Coste sparkling rosé on the tranquil riverside terrace.
AloJapan.com