Mizuno Katsuhiko Machiya Photograph Gallery

Master photographer Mr. Katsuhiko Mizuno has been recording the incredible and always changing beauty of Kyoto for nearly 50 years. He was born in the Nishijin textile district, which is Japan’s most famous and oldest area for weaving arts. His grandfather was a textile designer in the early Meiji period (1868-1912) when the Nishijin area was still vital and incredibly prosperous.

Mizuno was very fortunate to grow up in Nishijin, home to so many craftsmen active in such an intense blend of traditional culture and art. This environment had an immense influence on his future. When he was about 10 years old, his father gave him his first camera. With old post-war Kyoto as his backyard, you could say he was in picture-taking paradise.

Over the course of his long career he has published over 100 books of photos and essays, of which 90 are on Kyoto (his books are available at major bookstores). Most of his finest photos are focused on Kyoto’s gardens and traditional buildings.

A changing selection of Mizuno’s photos is on regular display in the exquisite Machiya Photo Studio. The studio is housed in a restored machiya space. The main room at the back of the building, with a beautiful hardwood floor, has a huge open feeling.

Motoseiganji-sagaru Omiya-dori Kamigyo-ku Kyoto City / The Machiya Photo Studio is located on the west side of Omiya in the third block south of Imadegawa

Opening Hours: 11:00 – 5:00

Closed Sunday and Holidays

It is necessary to make a reservation in advance by phone: Tel: 075-431-5500