The Nara National Museum is located in Nara Park in Japan. This park is famous for historical temples such as the Todaiji and Kohukuji, and for its many free-roaming deer. The museum is dedicated to presenting and spreading Buddhist art through speeches and publicity.
The museum has two wings, and the gallery on the west side contains a refined collection of Buddha statues. Its new gallery on the east side exhibits sculptures, paintings, and calligraphy. Moreover, the collection of paintings and calligraphy is changed every month.
Shosoin Exhibition
The Shosoin Exhibition is held in autumn every year in this museum. The Shosoin is a wooden warehouse with a raised floor that belongs to the Todaiji Temple. It was constructed in the 8th century and has kept more than 9,000 treasures of Japan and foreign countries. They, however, show only about 70 items each year.
Nara National Museum Information
Access:Kintetsu-Nara or JR-Nara station, or Himurojinja-Kokuritsuhakubutsukan bus stop
Entrance fee:Adults 700 yen, College students 350 yen, free under high school
Hours:From 9.30 am to 5 pm (8 pm on Friday and Saturday. Last entry: 30 minutes before closing time) / Closed on Mondays
A Personal Impression
I visited Nara as part of a short trip from Tokyo, and I wasn’t really expecting the museum to be a highlight—but it honestly impressed me.
The atmosphere inside was very calm, and I could take my time looking at the Buddhist statues without feeling rushed. I especially enjoyed the seasonal calligraphy exhibition—it felt like a quiet window into Japanese culture.
If you’re already planning to see Nara Park or Todaiji, I really recommend adding this museum to your route. It gave me a deeper appreciation of the area than I expected.
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