Kyoto City International Foundation (kokoka)

Before you go

An international exchange hub run by the Kyoto City International Foundation, opened in 1989 to provide a space for interaction and cross-cultural communication between Kyoto citizens and people of other cultures (official English page); over 7 million people have used it. 'kokoka' combines the initials of kokusai (international), koryu (exchange) and kaikan (hall), chosen through a public naming contest. Facilities: event hall, rentable conference rooms, a Japanese-style annex (tea ceremony experiences), the kokoPlaza library (books, newspapers and magazines on multiculturalism and international understanding; 9:30 AM-5:00 PM, closed on the last open day of each month for inventory), exchange lobby, and a free space on floors 1-2 (no registration, free, food and drink allowed, power and Wi-Fi, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM). Programs: Japanese lessons, a tea ceremony course (an 8-session, two-month course, 20,000 yen, limited to 8 people, first come first served), kokoka Open Day, the Family Program pairing international students with local families. There is a paid car park for 33 vehicles (¥500 for the first hour, then ¥200 per 30 minutes), but public transport is still recommended.

• International exchange hub with Japanese lessons and tea ceremony experiences
• Free space with power and Wi-Fi, food and drink allowed
• kokoPlaza multicultural library
• Rentable conference rooms and event hall
• Official English website

Getting there

2-1 Torii-cho, Awataguchi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. 6-minute walk from Exit 2 of Keage Station on the Tozai subway line (official). There is a paid car park for 33 vehicles (¥500 for the first hour, then ¥200 per 30 minutes), but public transport is still recommended.

Booking

The free space and kokoPlaza need no reservation; facility rentals and the tea ceremony experience require advance application/reservation.

Crowds

Closed on Mondays; the free space is open 9:00 AM-9:00 PM daily otherwise.

Good for

International visitors wanting Japanese lessons or a tea ceremony experience; people needing a free study space; NPOs and event organizers looking to rent a venue.

How it differs

In the same Okazaki area as the KYOCERA Museum of Art and Rohm Theatre Kyoto (listed as neighbors in kokoka's official event calendar). For a free, sit-all-day public space with power and Wi-Fi, kokoka's free space is a rare option around Okazaki/Keage (per the official flyer).

Sources 公益財団法人 京都市国際交流協会 公式サイト · kokoka Free Space 案内PDF（官方） · About kokoka | Kyoto City International Foundation（官方英文）