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7 museums and art galleries with a strong sense of Nara

7 museums and art galleries with a strong sense of Nara
Art

2021-09-17 Management office

Nara, a city with a rich history, has many museums and art museums. There are also many museums of Nara's unique culture, and we will introduce some of the most interesting museums and art museums.
Historical museums, archives, and all this stuff? You will be amazed at how much there is to see and do, so be sure to take a sightseeing tour.
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Nara National Museum



This is Nara's national museum, which exhibits many national treasures and important cultural properties.
The museum is a successful example of a national museum that retains a shattered, Nara-like atmosphere while still being enjoyable, and is a successful example of a museum that retains a strong sense of history while successfully integrating it into the modern world. The museum store and restaurant are also stylish.

The exhibition is dynamic!



Since Nara has a long history, exhibits such as ancient Chinese bronze vessels are also prominent. The unique and colorful exhibits, such as the National Treasure, the eleven-faced Kannon statue, and the Buddhist collection, also shine with Nara's uniqueness.
In addition, the Narahaku Education and Extension Office can satisfy both beginners and core fans of Buddhist art. They offer lectures, guided tours, events and workshops that are easy to understand, so you don't have to think too hard to understand. The content is designed in such a way that you can learn and enjoy without any rigidity at all.

"Facility Information "
Name: Nara National Museum
Address: 〒630-8213 Nara City, 50 Noto-Oji-cho
Phone number: 0742-22-7771
Business hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Monday
I have to calculate:Adults 520 yen / College students below no material
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This national museum exhibits many valuable cultural properties from the Asuka period, and the main building itself is an important cultural property.
URL:https://www.narahaku.go.jp/


Todaiji Museum



The Todaiji Museum at Todaiji Temple exhibits temple treasures from the Todaiji collection.
Many important cultural properties, such as a standing image of the Thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva, are on display, and the history of Todaiji Temple is well understood. There are also statues of Nikko and Gekko Bosatsu (Sunlight and Moonlight Bodhisattvas), and there are many attractions to enjoy. If you enter the museum as a set with the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) of Todaiji Temple, it is recommended to visit the two together for a slightly lower price.
The library and storage facilities related to Todaiji Temple, the Institute of Temple History, the Institute of Kegon Studies, and the Golden Bell Hall are constantly being updated with the attractions of Todaiji Temple.

A full-size hand of the Great Buddha



Even if you look up at the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), you will be surprised at the size of the Buddha's palm, which does not look so impressive when you get this close to the statue. Even the wrinkles in his hands are realistic, so it is recommended to take a picture of yourself with him to compare the size of the two.

"Facility Information "
Name: Todaiji Museum (Todaiji Museum)
Address: Todaiji Sogo Bunka Center, 100 Suimon-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8208, Japan
Phone number: 0742-20-5511
Business hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Closed: The museum offers a more in-depth and fun way to learn about the attractions of Todaiji Temple.
Budget: Adults 500 yen / Junior and senior high school students 500 yen / Elementary school students 300 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Both Todaiji Temple and the Todaiji Museum are located in Nara Park, and you can enter the museum as a set with the Daibutsuden for a discount. These facilities allow visitors to learn more about Todaiji Temple.
URL:http://culturecenter.todaiji.or.jp/museum/

Xingfuji National Treasure Museum



The Kofukuji National Treasure Museum, a reproduction of a dining room from the Nara period in Kofukuji Temple, is one of the most important places in Nara where many of Nara's national treasures are housed. It was built to open these national treasures to the public, and they are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for tourists. Many national treasures can be seen here, including the standing statue of Happoshu and the Thousand-Armed Kannon Bosatsu (Goddess of Mercy). You can also see the statue of Ashura, the beautiful boy of the Tenpyo period and a super idol of the Buddhist statue world.
There are also special viewing plans that allow private viewing of the exhibition, and courses that allow visitors to tour the exhibition together while explaining the process.

Super Idol of the Buddhist Statue World



You can see the statue of Ashura, which is very popular among young women. The Kohfukuji National Treasure Museum has merchandise such as T-shirts and handkerchiefs of the statue of Ashura, postcards, and even a fan club. The tenugui (hand towels) are highly recommended, as they incorporate the statue of Ashura in a uniquely Japanese way, making them perfect souvenirs. If you want to see treasures in Nara, the Ashura statue is definitely a must-see!

"Facility Information "
Name: Kofukuji Kokuhokan (National Treasure Museum)
Address: 48 Todaiji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8213, Japan
Phone number: 0742-22-5370
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Budget: Adults 500 yen / Junior and senior high school students 400 yen / Elementary school students 150 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: The National Treasure Museum is located at Kofukuji Temple, a World Heritage Site. It exhibits many national treasures in Nara.
URL:https://www.kohfukuji.com/

Horyuji Grand Treasure Hall



The museum stores and exhibits many national treasures and important cultural properties, including arts and crafts from the Horyuji collection.
Starting with the National Treasure Baekje Kannon, which is said to be close to the oldest wooden Buddhist statue sculpture, the National Treasure Standing Kannon Bosatsu, and the National Treasure Standing Kannon Bosatsu, there are also Tamamushi Zushi, Mrs. Tachibana Zushi, water jars, and perfume vases.
The Yumemuri Kannon is popular among tourists because of the legend that nightmares turn into good dreams.

125 buildings are also a must-see



The 125 buildings on the grounds have also been designated national treasures and important cultural properties, making them a must-see in addition to the Dahozo-den.
Seasonal flowers and trees are everywhere, allowing visitors to experience the changing of the seasons.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Horyuji Daihozoden (The Great Treasury Hall of Horyuji Temple)
Address: 1-1-1, Horyuji Yamauchi, Hatsugu-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara, 636-0115
Phone number: 0745-75-2555
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Budget: Adults 1,500 yen / Elementary school students 750 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: The Great Treasury Hall is located in the World Heritage Site of Horyu-ji Temple. Starting with the architecture, which is a national treasure, you can see rare items such as a standing statue of Kannon Bosatsu and a perfume vase.
URL:http://www.horyuji.or.jp/garan/daihozoin/

Kitora Tumulus Mural Experience Hall of the Four Gods



This hands-on facility is located at the Kitora Kofun Tumulus in the National Asuka Historical Park. The Kitora Kofun Tumulus is one of the rarest of all ancient burial mounds with astronomical drawings. Visitors can enjoy and learn about the Kitora tumulus and the wall paintings of the Kitora tumulus.
The four deities depicted in the burial mound can be seen at up to 100 times magnification using video images, and the ceiling also depicts an astronomical chart that was drawn inside the burial mound. It is quite romantic to think that there was an astronomical chart inside the burial mound. In addition to the astronomical chart, statues of the four deities and the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac are also painted on the ceiling, making the burial mound a tomb of great historical value.

Facilities for hands-on learning are also available.



There is also a full-size replica of a stone chamber and a diorama that offers a glimpse of life in those days.
You can make your own gradient balls or bird calls. Depending on the day, you can also enjoy making ancient glass.
Let's make it while thinking about the life in those days.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kitora Kofun Mural Experience Hall: Shijin no Yakata (Hall of the Four Deities)
Address: 〒634-0134 67 Abezan, Akane Village, Takashi-gun, Nara
Phone number: 0744-54-5105
Business hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Located in the vicinity of the Kitora Kofun Tumulus in the National Asuka Historical Park, this facility is dedicated to the Kitora Kofun Tumulus and offers free admission.
URL:https://www.nabunken.go.jp/shijin/index.html

Museum of Pharmaceutical Science and Industry



This is a rare museum of medicines, which was built by remodeling a part of the warehouse of Yumesokan. The museum has been famous for its medicines since olden times, and the highlight of the museum is that it displays the history of Nara's medicines in an easy-to-understand manner, including medicines made in Takatori Town, tools used to make medicines, and, most importantly, old packages and signboards.
It is not a large museum, but it is a museum that spreads a condensed depth of flavor.

Admission is free.



Admission is free and open to all, with the hope that visitors will feel free to come in and take a look. This is a highly affordable museum in that you can enter the warehouse, and it is a very fulfilling facility for a casual stopover.
In addition, on November 22, the Yakusojin Festival is held every year to worship the god of medicine.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Pharmaceutical Shiryokan (Pharmaceutical Museum)
Address: 20-2 Kamitosa, Takatori-cho, Takaichi-gun, Nara 635-0152
Phone number: 0744-52-1150
Hours of operation: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed: Monday
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: A medicine museum in a renovated warehouse located right behind the information center in Takatori-machi, the town of medicine.
URL:https://sightseeing2.takatori.info/


Naramachi Museum



The Naramachi Museum exhibits many old folk tools and artifacts from the past.
The most conspicuous of these are the ransom deities hanging from the eaves of the roofs. It is said that if you write a wish on the back of the deities, your wish will come true, and if you wear the deities, they will protect you from disasters. The ransom deities are also available for purchase and are popular as souvenirs. It is better to buy and hang up as many of the ransom deities as you need for your family, so buy as many as you need for your family.

Old mixers are also on display!



Inside, nostalgic signboards and Nara-machi genzai materials are on display, which are worth seeing because they are a condensed version of the wisdom of life in the old days. Many old-fashioned implements typical of Nara are also on display.
It is a museum of facilities, but it is also a museum worth seeing, with autographs and manuscripts of Meiji literary giants.
It has become a famous tourist attraction, with the sacred Togenuki Kannon (Thorny Goddess of Mercy) and Otsukuri Kannon (Touching Goddess of Mercy) that removes pain.

"Facility Information "
Name: Naramachi Shiryokan (Nara Town Museum)
Address: 14-2 Nishishinya-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8334
Phone number: 0742-22-5509
Hours of operation: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Tools used in Naramachi from the Edo to Meiji periods and manuscripts of great writers are on display, and the spot is famous for vicarious application.
URL:http://naramachi.co.jp/

summary

There are many museums and art galleries, but Nara is unique in that there are many hands-on courses that can be enjoyed as a set. Visitors can not only see the exhibits, but also enjoy watching the latest videos, making things, and seeing valuable, life-size exhibits. We hope you will return home with many hands-on experiences that connect history and the present.

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