Nara National Museum

奈良国立博物館

This museum has one of the world's best collections of Buddhist art and changing exhibitions. The National Treasure Hall has an impressive collection of statues. There are "English Guides" inside the museum however, they do not guide you through the museum; instead they are there to answer questions. The guides are highly knowledgeable, so if you can think of questions that require explanation, you can learn a lot more about the exhibits, Buddhism, and Buddhist art. Each year for about 2 weeks in late October - early November (dates vary) the museum hosts on a rotating basis a part of the collection of Shōsōin, the Tōdai-ji treasury (which is closed to the public). Expect enormous queues, as this is a notable event in the cultural calendar of the country, and tourists from all over Japan converge on Nara at this time.

• museum

Address

50 Noborioji-cho

Hours

Closed · opens 9:30 am

Weekly hours

Mon	9:30 am–5 pm
Tue	9:30 am–5 pm
Wed	9:30 am–5 pm
Thu	9:30 am–5 pm
Fri	9:30 am–5 pm
Sat	9:30 am–5 pm
Sun	9:30 am–5 pm

Price

¥500; special exhibitions up to ¥2000

Website

narahaku.go.jp (opens in a new tab)