🗺️ Nara National Museum奈良国立博物館

The Nara National Museum opened in 1895 and is the second national museum in Japan. It focuses on Japanese Buddhist art from the Asuka period to the Kamakura period, showcasing numerous national treasures and important cultural properties, including Buddhist statues, ritual implements, and other artifacts. The museum is located in a corner of Nara Park, surrounded by attractions such as Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, and Kasuga-taisha, allowing visitors to experience the charm of Buddhist art in an elegant and tranquil environment while understanding its profound cultural and historical background. The Nara National Museum holds a "Masterpieces Exhibition" year-round. The exhibition features a rotating selection of items from its collection. The "Nara Buddhist Statue Gallery" within the museum houses approximately 100 Buddhist statues, making it the place with the most diverse range of Buddhist statues in Japan, where visitors can fully appreciate the exquisite forms and superb craftsmanship of ancient Buddhist sculptures. The museum itself, with its elegant and stylish design, is designated as an important cultural property representing Western architecture from the mid-Meiji period. The "Shosoin Exhibition," held every autumn, is also worth seeing. It showcases some of the treasured items used by Emperor Shomu and other artifacts. The "Shosoin" was once a storehouse of Todai-ji, containing as many as 9,000 treasures. The special exhibitions select treasures based on the theme of each year, ensuring that visitors can see different precious items with each visit. The museum also features a "Buddhist Art Research Center," which houses a vast collection of materials related to Buddhist art. It is open to the general public by reservation every Wednesday and Friday. Additionally, there are various visiting programs, including periodic guided tours, events, and lectures. The Nara National Museum also has a museum shop and restaurant, situated in a corner of Nara Park, close to popular attractions such as Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji, and Kasuga-taisha.

Japan's premier treasure trove of Buddhist art collections. Located in a corner of Nara Park, it allows visitors to appreciate the charm of Buddhist art in an elegant and tranquil environment. The museum itself is designated as an important cultural property, representing Western architecture from the mid-Meiji period. Every autumn, the "Shosoin Exhibition" is held, showcasing some of the treasures from the Shosoin, which is normally not open to the public.