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Nara National Museum, Nara


Path and pond at Nara National Museum.
Photo licensed under GFDL.







To the east of Kofukuji at Nara Park is the Nara National Museum, which opened in 1895 to house invaluable Buddhist art and archaeological relics. It has since expanded into a second building.

Many masterpieces originally contained in Nara's many temples are now housed here, including Buddhist sculptures from various periods in Japan's history, paintings, masks, scrolls, calligraphy, roof tiles, and archaeological pieces obtained from temple ruins, tombs, and sutra mounds.

Unfortunately, although items are identified in English, explanations of their historical significance are not.

Location Map

Location and satellite view of Nara National Museum. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. You can explore all of Nara from space on our Nara Satellite Map.

Quick Facts

Type of site: Museum with religious artifacts
Address: Nara Park, Nara, Japan
Phone: 0742/22-7771
Hours: Tues-Sun 9am-5pm
Cost: ¥420; higher during special exhibitions

Article Sources

  1. Frommer's Japan, 7th edition.

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