Founded in 1987, Kyoto Journal (KJ) is an award-winning, volunteer-driven quarterly magazine (now publishing three times per year, in the form of one print issue and two digital issues) presenting thought-provoking cultural and historical insights from Kyoto, Japan and all of Asia. 

Now the longest-established independent English publication in Japan, our interdisciplinary approach, high standards of journalism and stunning design have brought us several international independent press awards, including the Utne Reader and Pushcart Prize. Our Founding Editor, John Einarsen, also received the Japanese government's Cultural Affairs Agency Award for KJ’s long-term efforts to introduce Kyoto and Japanese culture to the English-speaking world.

A journal, whether public or private, is an ongoing means of looking afresh at the inhabited world, both social and natural. In selecting material for Kyoto Journal we look for intelligent work that comes also from the heart. We are curious about society, beliefs, traditions and new developments — how people live, and live well — through the lens of Asian experience.

At the same time, our name, “Kyoto Journal,” also reflects more than a physical location. Kyoto is a place of deep spiritual and cultural heritage, and has been the measure of such things here in Japan for more than a millennium. Kyoto culture has looked deeply inwards and has also drawn richly from outside, especially since the Meiji modernization. Essentially, Kyoto Journal is a community that transcends place, while respecting and celebrating regional and local identity.

Kyoto Journal is printed by SunM Color in Kyoto, Japan.

Our organization Ippan Shadan Houjin KYOTO JOURNAL is Japan-registered non-profit no. 6130005012609

1987年創刊。KYOTO JOURNAL（以下KJ）は京都に留まらず、日本やアジア地域の生活、文化、社会を無数の視点から編集する受賞歴のある雑誌。また、完全にボランティアによって運営され、日本で認定をうけたＮＰＯ法人である。

日本国内でもっとも長く続く英語出版物であるKJは、独自の多分野にわたる記事とデザイン性の高いアプローチは国際的な出版機関向けの受賞（Utne Reader賞やPushcart賞など）や日本の文化庁などにも評価されている。

精神的・文化的な伝統の地として、京都は千年以上にわたり、日本の精神・芸術・文化の拠り所となってきました。京都には、長い年月に培われた伝統の真髄を尊び、精魂を込めて緻密かつ精巧に卓越したものを生み出すだけではなく、新しいものを取り入れてイノベーションを生み出す力がある。またKJは、アジア全般の文化と社会への、より高い理解と評価のために尽くすことを目指す一方で、私たちと私たちの雑誌作りが影響されてきたのは、京都に培われてきたこのような本質的な価値でもある。本質的にKJは、それぞれの地域の独自性を尊重し賞賛するとともに、地域を超えた活動を行なっている。

KYOTO JOURNALは京都のサンエムカラーにより印刷されている。

DISTRIBUTION:
Pineapple Media (UK/Europe/USA)
Shikosha (Japan)
AllScript (Singapore)
Far East Media Ltd (Hong Kong)
See a list of stockists here.

REVIEWS AND NICE THINGS:
 Japan Australia
Cherry Blossom Stories
The Real Japan 
Arts Bites
Japan Objects

ELSEWHERE IN THE PRESS: 
The Japan Times profiles John Einarsen in Kyoto-based publication true labor of love for editor
The Diplomat interviews John Einarsen and Ken Rodgers in Kyoto Journal: A Psychographic Community in the Heart of Asia
The Japan Times covers John Einarsen receiving the Japanese government's Cultural Affairs Agency Award
Lucinda Cowing talks to Monocle Radio about KJ's revived print edition