Special Exhibition Hall (Main Hall of the Former Imperial Museum of Kyoto)

This redbrick building, which serves as the symbol of the Kyoto National Museum, was completed in October of 1895 and opened in May of 1897. Designed by KATAYAMA, Tokuma (1854-1917), a leading architect for the Imperial Household Agency, the Special Exhibition Hall (originally, the Main Hall of the Former Imperial Museum of Kyoto) and the Main Gate area, constructed in red brick, were designated Important Cultural Properties in 1969.
The area of this building-consisting of a reception area, a central gallery, and ten smaller galleries-is 3,015 m2, while the exhibition space is 2,070 m2.

(The sculpture in front of the hall)
The Thinker, one of Auguste Rodin(1840-1917)'s most famous sculptures. It was originally a part of his Gates of Hell. Although there are several examples of The Thinker, this work was cast at an early stage of its production.