National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

A big, grey box designed by Pritzker Prize-winner Fumihiko Maki is the unbecoming home of Kyoto’s top contemporary art venue. The 2,600sq m of floor space hosts an impressive permanent collection of around 10,000 pieces, including works by Piet Mondrian and Marcel Duchamp, as well as Japanese paintings, textiles and ceramics. There are strong temporary exhibitions, occasional performances and cinema screenings. The National Museum is always worth a visit.