Nara National Museum

奈良国立博物館

Buddhist statues in a Meiji-era Western-style hall

⚠ Shosoin show 24 Oct–9 Nov

Hours

Normally about 9:30am–5pm, closed Mondays (varies by exhibition; check officially). Shosoin show 8am–6pm (to 8pm Fri–Sun & holidays)

Tickets

78th Shosoin show ¥2,000 (late discount ¥1,500), timed tickets; regular collection fee: check the official site

Address

50 Noborioji-cho, Nara

In the middle of the deer lawns stands a white stone Western-style building from 1894, and inside, Buddhist statues from the Asuka to Kamakura periods line up. The permanent Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall lets you study at eye level statues you'd only glimpse from a distance in a temple. Every autumn the museum shows treasures from the Shosoin repository, including belongings of Emperor Shomu, for just over two weeks; the 78th show runs 24 October to 9 November 2026. Visitors pour in from all over Japan, and without a timed ticket you may not get in.