Nara National Museum

Nara National Museum sits near the center of Nara Park. If you walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, you can either head east along the main road (National Route 369) or turn left through Higashimuki Shopping Street and go via Kofuku-ji. Because Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji are nearby, the museum has a strong collection of Buddhist art and Buddhist paintings. The Shosoin Exhibition held every autumn displays precious items from the Shosoin, including artifacts associated with Emperor Shomu. The museum comprises four galleries: the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall (Nara Butsuzo-kan), the Bronzes Gallery, the West Wing, and the East Wing. The Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall was designed by Tokuma Katayama and completed in 1894 as Nara’s first Western-style building. It houses about 100 Buddhist statues on permanent display, mainly Japanese works from the Asuka through Kamakura periods. The Buddhist Sculpture Hall and the Bronzes Gallery (showing ancient Chinese bronzes) are connected by a covered corridor. The West and East Wings—designed by Junzo Yoshimura with a concept inspired by the Shosoin treasure repository—host the Shosoin Exhibition and other special exhibitions. The underground passage connecting the Buddhist Sculpture Hall to the West/East Wings can be used freely even by non-ticket holders. During sightseeing, it may be convenient to stop by the museum shop or restaurant located in this underground passage.