Nara National Museum, National museum in Nara Park, Japan
The Nara National Museum is a national museum in Nara Park, Japan, specializing in Buddhist art and craft. Its four buildings combine Western architecture in French Renaissance style with modern extensions made of concrete and glass.
The museum opened in 1889 as an imperial institution to protect and preserve religious objects during the Meiji Restoration. Later, the collection shifted to state administration and opened its doors permanently to the general public.
The building is often called Nara-Haku, a shortened form of its Japanese name used by locals and visitors. Inside the permanent galleries, Bodhisattva figures and temple relics take center stage, showing the influence of Buddhism on the region.
A 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station leads through the park directly to the entrance. Alternatively, several bus lines stop nearby, so you can reach the site comfortably even in the rain.
Every autumn, a temporary exhibition displays objects from the Shoso-in repository, which normally remains closed to the public. This special show lasts only 17 days and draws visitors from across the country.
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