Nara National Museum

Welcome to the Nara National Museum, a world-class institution dedicated to the preservation and study of Buddhist art. Located in the heart of Nara Park, surrounded by wandering deer and ancient temples, this museum stands as a…

One of the most remarkable projects recently undertaken by the museum is the faithful reproduction of the National Treasure Yakushi Nyorai, a seated Buddha from the early Heian period. This project was born from a desire to…

The Permanent Sculpture Gallery is a journey through the evolution of Japanese Buddhist thought. Here, you can trace the transition from the sharp, stylized lines of the Asuka period—influenced by the Northern Wei dynasty of…

Beyond sculpture, the museum houses an exquisite collection of Buddhist paintings and ritual implements. These objects offer a glimpse into the sensory world of ancient temple life. …

The architecture of the Nara National Museum itself is a subject of scholarly fascination. The Western-style building, known as the Nara Imperial Museum upon its completion in 1894, was a bold statement by the Meiji government. …

While the Shōsō-in treasure house itself is located on the grounds of Todai-ji, the Nara National Museum is the primary venue for sharing its incredible contents with the public. Every autumn, a selection of these eighth-century…

Behind the scenes, the Nara National Museum is a hub of scientific research and conservation. The museum’s specialized laboratories use advanced imaging techniques—including X-ray and infrared scanning—to look beneath the surface…

Our journey through the Nara National Museum has taken us through the highest peaks of Japanese spiritual and artistic achievement. We have seen how the divine has been given form in bronze, wood, and clay, and how these objects…