Highlights of the Nara National Museum
Buddhist Art and the Shōsōin Exhibition
The Nara National Museum is a national museum that collects and exhibits cultural properties, with a particular focus on Buddhist art. It is especially renowned for the annual Shōsōin Exhibition, held from late October to early November.
The museum occupies a corner of Nara Park, next to Tōdaiji Temple, Kōfukuji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Its Buddhist statues, paintings, calligraphic works, and crafts offer insight into the expressions of Buddhist art and the history and culture behind them.
Architecture of the Buddhist Sculpture Hall
Completed in 1894, the Buddhist Sculpture Hall isNara’s first fully fledged Western-style building. Designed by court architect Tōkuma Katayama, it incorporates the style of the French High Renaissance. In 1969, it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan under the name “Former Main Building of the Imperial Nara Museum.”
The Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall has displayed Japanese Buddhist statues dating from the Asuka through the Kamakura periods, as well as statues from China and the Korean Peninsula. Visitors can trace how their forms vary across periods and regions within a single building, while its elegant Western-style façade also stands out in the landscape of Nara Park.
Essential Information about the Nara National Museum
The information below was checked against official sources on November 6, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- The official website operated by Nara National Museum.
奈良国立博物館www.narahaku.go.jp
- 📍 Address
- 〒630-8213, 50 Noborioji-cho, Nara, Nara Prefecture
- 🕒 Opening hours
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- Regular hours: 9:30–17:00 (last admission 30 minutes before closing)
⚠️ Opening hours may be extended or temporarily changed due to exhibitions and other events.
- 🚫 Closed
- Every Monday and from December 28 to January 1. If Monday is a public holiday, the museum closes the following day; for consecutive holidays, it closes the day after the holiday period ends. ⚠️ Closure dates may be changed temporarily.
- 💶 Admission
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- Masterpieces Exhibition: adults 700 yen, university students 350 yen
- Free admission: subject to the specified conditions, high school students and younger visitors and those under 18, visitors aged 70 or older, and an equal number of caregivers accompanying visitors with disabilities
- Special and jointly organized exhibitions: separate admission fees
- ⚠️ Current access
- The Buddhist Sculpture Hall is scheduled to close for renovations from September 14, 2026, until around spring 2028.
- ⏱️ Suggested visit length
- Allow approximately 60–90 minutes to view the museum’s exhibitions. ⚠️ Visit length varies depending on the number of galleries visited, the content of special exhibitions, and access to the Buddhist Sculpture Hall.
Getting to the Nara National Museum
On Foot and by Local Bus
Kintetsu Nara Station is about a 15-minute walk toward Nara Park. The museum grounds are inside the park; follow the signs bearing the museum’s name to the entrance.
From JR Nara Station or Kintetsu Nara Station, take the Nara Kotsu City Loop Bus (Outer Loop) and get off at “Himuro Shrine/National Museum.” The stop is in front of the museum, and the entrance to the grounds is just a short walk away.
By car
Nara National Museum does not have a dedicated parking lot. If you are driving, use one of the parking lots around Nara Park.
The article below covers the highlights of Tōdai-ji, located north of the Nara National Museum, along with visitor information.
For information on the highlights and special admission at Kasuga Taisha Shrine, located on the eastern side of Nara Park, see the article below.
The related guide “【奈良】観光スポット・グルメ・交通・モデルコースを解説” is currently available only in Japanese.
