Shimabara Sumiya
Kyoto Station, Kyoto
- Fri to Sun
- 10:00 to 15:30
- Mon to Thu
- Closed
Open in spring and autumn seasons only. Autumn 2026 runs 18 September to 13 December, also on public holidays. 15:30 is the last entry.
Source: sumiyaho.sakura.ne.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Sumiya is the last surviving ageya, an Edo-period banquet house where hosts fed and entertained guests with taiyu and geiko sent over from the okiya. The Nakagawa family has run it since Shimabara, Kyoto's old licensed hanamachi, moved here in 1641. It was enlarged in 1787 and listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1952.
Insider tip
It opens only in spring and autumn (autumn 2026 runs 18 September to 13 December, Fridays to Sundays and holidays). The ground floor's shown by guided tour only, six times a day from 10:30, for ¥1,000. The upstairs rooms need a booking and another ¥1,000, and primary school children can't go up.
Tickets and tours
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What's on near Shimabara Sumiya
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Shimabara Sumiya, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Qing Dynasty Ceramics at Banquets, with Sumiya Rooms Open
企画展「宴にみる清朝陶磁」
Time 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:30) Station JR Tanbaguchi or Umekoji-Kyotonishi, 7 min walk
Exhibition of imported Qing ceramics once used at banquets in Sumiya, with the Important Cultural Property building open on its first and second floors. Open Friday to Sunday and holidays.
Shimogyo and Minami Ward Children's Centre Festival (34th)
第34回下京区・南区 児童館・学童保育所まつり
Time 10:00 to 15:30 Station Umekoji-Kyotonishi (JR Sagano Line), 3 min walk
A festival run by the Kyoto children's centre federation for the Shimogyo and Minami wards on the Shichijo entrance plaza of Umekoji Park.
Tam0031, CC BY-SA 3.0 World Culture and Arts Festival: Charity Hawaii Festival
世界の文化芸術フェスティバル(チャリティーハワイフェスティバル)
Time 9:30 to 17:00 Station Umekoji-Kyotonishi (JR Sagano Line), 3 min walk
A charity Hawaii festival across the plazas, paths and lawn of Umekoji Park, organised by the World Culture and Arts Festival committee.
Tam0031, CC BY-SA 3.0 NEO Marche at Umekoji Park
NEOマルシェ
Time 10:00 to 16:30 Station Umekoji-Kyotonishi (JR Sagano Line), 3 min walk
A one-day marche along the paths of Umekoji Park, organised by the NEO Marche office and listed by the Kyoto City Greenery Association.
Tam0031, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ken-chan Festival Kyoto Machizukuri Festa
建ちゃんまつり 京都まちづくりフェスタ
Time 10:00 to 16:00 Station Umekoji-Kyotonishi (JR Sagano Line), 3 min walk
A hands-on construction and craft day for children on the Shichijo entrance plaza of Umekoji Park, run by the Zen-Kyoto construction cooperative.
Tam0031, CC BY-SA 3.0 Nearby
Around Kyoto Station
Free temples and late ramen a few minutes from the platforms
Most visitors only see Kyoto Station on the way in or out, which is a shame. Higashi Hongan-ji is 7 minutes north on foot and free, To-ji's pagoda is 15 minutes south, and at the railway museum to the west a working steam engine will pull you along. After dark, 15,000 LEDs light the station's 171-step staircase.
Kyoto Station has 23 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 4 shrines and temples, 4 museums, 3 restaurants, 2 shops, 2 cafes, 2 parks and gardens, 2 bathhouses, 1 bar, 1 landmark, 1 viewpoint and 1 market. Read the Kyoto Station guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Shimabara Sumiya?
- 32 Nishishinyashiki Ageya-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市下京区西新屋敷揚屋町32).
- What are the opening hours of Shimabara Sumiya?
- Fri to Sun 10:00 to 15:30; Closed Mon to Thu. Open in spring and autumn seasons only. Autumn 2026 runs 18 September to 13 December, also on public holidays. 15:30 is the last entry.
- How do I get to Shimabara Sumiya?
- The nearest station is Tambaguchi (JR Sagano Line). Shimabara Sumiya is in Kyoto Station, Kyoto.
- How much does Shimabara Sumiya cost?
- Shimabara Sumiya is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Shimabara Sumiya?
- Plan for 1 hour.
- When is the best time to visit Shimabara Sumiya?
- Autumn weekends.
Stay near Shimabara Sumiya
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