20 Museums in Nara worth your time

An interactive science museum in Nara featuring physics experiments and space simulators designed for hands-on learning and family exploration.

What it is

• A public science facility located on the first basement floor of Kashihara Manyo Hall.
• The museum opened in 1996 and underwent a full renewal in 2002.
• It reached a milestone of one million visitors in June 2019.

What to see

• A dedicated zone for exploring electricity and magnetism through interactive exhibits.
• A spaceship simulator and air rockets for hands-on play.
• A Foucault pendulum with a thirty-five kilogram weight and twelve meter wire.

When to go

• The facility is closed to the public every Monday.
• The museum remains closed during the New Year holiday period.

Official site

www.city.kashihara.nara.jp

Read more about Kashihara Children's Science Museum

Nara National Museum: a top museum for Buddhist art, including National Treasures.

What it is

• Opened in 1895 as the Imperial Nara Museum.
• Renamed Nara National Museum in 1952.
• Focuses on collecting and exhibiting Buddhist art.
• Operated by the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage.

What to see

• Main building completed in 1894, an Important Cultural Property.
• West Wing designed by Yoshimura Junzo, completed in 1972.
• East Wing designed by Yoshimura Junzo, completed in 1997.
• Collection includes 13 National Treasures and 114 Important Cultural Properties.
• Houses 1,974 deposited items, including 52 National Treasures.

When to go

• Venue for the annual Shosoin Exhibition.

Address

〒630-8213 　奈良県奈良市登大路町50番地 Map

Official site

www.narahaku.go.jp

Read more about Nara National Museum

Explore Katsuragi City's history through archaeological finds and folklore exhibits.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to the history of Katsuragi City.
• Renamed in 2004 from its original town history museum.
• Exhibits archaeological and folklore materials.

What to see

• Artifacts from the Takeuchi site are on display.
• See artifacts from the Futatsuka Kofun.
• View items from the Teraguchi Oshimi Kofun group.
• A house-shaped stone coffin is in the entrance lobby.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Closed on Tuesdays.
• Also closed on the second and fourth Wednesdays.

Getting there

• A 3-minute walk from Oshimi Station.

Address

奈良県葛城市忍海250-1 Map

Official site

www.city.katsuragi.nara.jp

Read more about The Museum, History of Katsuragi

See a life-size tomb chamber model and ancient mirror replicas for free.

What it is

• A museum in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture.
• Opened on October 12, 2002.
• Established by Tenri City.

What to see

• Life-size model of the Kurozuka Kofun stone chamber.
• Stone chamber model is 8.3 meters long.
• Replicas of artifacts from Kurozuka Kofun.
• Replicas of 33 triangular-rimmed divine beast mirrors.
• Replica of one patterned-band divine beast mirror.
• Museum is located in a park on a pond's east bank.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Yanagimoto Station.
• Yanagimoto Station is on the Sakurai Line.

Official site

www.city.tenri.nara.jp

Read more about Tenri City Kurozuka Kofun Museum

This modern museum introduces Kawakami's natural world, history, and ecology, and is a departure point for tours.

What it is

• Modern multimedia museum.
• Gateway to Kawakami’s natural world.
• Introduces village history and ecology.
• Departure point for village tours and field activities.

What to see

• Riverhead Forest Theater with diorama of forest life.
• Diorama includes real trees, bamboo, and local fauna specimens.
• Five huge screens show a 15-minute seasonal forest video.
• Reconstruction of a mid-Edo period village house with tools.
• Display showing traditional forestry methods.
• Aquariums with fish from the Yoshino River and its tributaries.

Address

〒639-3553　奈良県吉野郡川上村宮の平（迫1374-1） Map

Official site

genryuu.or.jp

Read more about Forest and Riverhead Museum Genryūkan

Explore ancient artifacts and archaeological discoveries at Japan's oldest research institution.

What it is

• Oldest public research institution for buried cultural properties.
• Founded September 13, 1938, as the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara.
• Known for excavating famous kofun and archaeological sites.
• Has an attached museum for public viewing.

What to see

• Museum exhibits about 3700 archaeological items.
• Learn about the discovery of Takamatsuzuka Kofun murals.
• See the Muro Buried Cultural Property Arrangement and Storage Center.

When to go

• Foreign tourists are exempt from admission fees.

Address

〒634-0065　奈良県橿原市畝傍町50-2 Map

Official site

www.kashikoken.jp

Read more about The Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture

Explore sumo's origins and artifacts at this museum, a short walk from Taimadera Station.

What it is

• A museum dedicated to the sport of sumo.
• Opened in May 1990.
• Named after sumo founder Taima no Kehaya.

What to see

• Approximately 12,000 sumo-related items.
• A full-size sumo ring is inside.
• Watch the mini-movie "Kehaya Monogatari."
• The tomb of sumo founder Taima no Kehaya is nearby.

When to go

• Open 10:00 to 17:00.
• Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Closed for New Year holidays (December 28 - January 4).

Getting there

• 5-minute walk west from Taimadera Station.

Address

奈良県葛城市當麻83-1 Map

Official site

www.city.katsuragi.nara.jp

Read more about Katsuragi City Sumo Museum “Kehayaza”

Explore excavated artifacts from the Asuka region, including Important Cultural Properties, at this historical museum.

What it is

• A museum in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture.
• Opened in 1975.
• Exhibits excavated artifacts from the Asuka region.
• Provides research information on the Asuka region.

What to see

• Two exhibition rooms with permanent exhibitions.
• First room has five sections of artifacts.
• Second room displays materials related to Yamada-dera Temple.
• Nationally designated Important Cultural Properties.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Kashiharajingu-mae Station.
• Accessible by bus from Asuka Station.

Address

〒634-0102　奈良県高市郡明日香村奥山601 Map

Official site

www.nabunken.go.jp

Read more about Asuka Historical Museum

Yanagisawa Bunko Museum preserves historical documents of the Yanagisawa clan, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A library in Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture.
• Preserves and exhibits historical materials.
• Established in 1960.
• Uses the former Yanagisawa residence.

What to see

• Historical documents and classical books.
• Materials related to Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu.
• Materials from the Kai Province Kofu Domain.
• Many materials related to the Yanagisawa clan.

When to go

• Open 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed Mondays and holidays.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from JR Koriyama Station.

Address

〒639-1011　奈良県大和郡山市城内町2-18 Map

Official site

www.mahoroba.ne.jp

Read more about Yanagisawa Bunko Museum

Explore global cultures and archaeology at this museum, home to important cultural properties.

What it is

• A folklore and archaeology museum in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture.
• Collects and exhibits cultural materials from around the world.
• Originated from an exhibition held in 1930.
• Moved to its current location in 2001.

What to see

• Three floors above ground and one basement floor.
• World cultural exhibits on the first and second floors.
• World archaeological art exhibits on the third floor.
• Two National Important Cultural Properties.
• Three Important Art Objects.
• Regular special exhibitions and spot exhibitions.

Address

奈良県天理市守目堂町250 Map

Official site

www.sankokan.jp

Read more about Tenri University Sankōkan Museum

This museum, now a hotel, showcases the birthplace and works of potter Tomimoto Kenkichi.

What it is

• A private museum, opened 1974, in Tomimoto Kenkichi's birthplace.
• Closed in 2014, renovated into a hotel in 2017.
• The hotel is named Ubusuna no Sato Tomimoto.

What to see

• The main building is a Japanese-style structure.
• Two storehouses, one built in 1914, another in An'ei era.
• The museum displayed 500 items, 150 permanently.
• Items included Tomimoto's overglaze enamel porcelain.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Higashi Ando bus stop.

Address

〒639-1061　奈良県生駒郡安堵町東安堵1442 Map

Read more about Tomimoto Kenkichi Memorial Museum

Nakano Museum of Art showcases Japanese modern art collected by Nakano Kanji, housed in a unique building.

What it is

• A registered museum of Nara Prefecture.
• Opened in 1984.
• Exhibits Japanese modern art collected by Nakano Kanji.
• Operated by the Nakano Museum of Art Foundation.

What to see

• Works by artists in Japanese art history.
• Building designed by Kunikazu Hikotani.
• Building completed in 1984.
• Total floor area is 490.9 square meters.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Gakuen-mae Station.
• Gakuen-mae Station is on the Kintetsu Nara Line.

Official site

www.nakano-museum.ecweb.jp

Read more about Nakano Museum of Art

Explore traditional Nara life and historic folk houses at this open-air museum.

What it is

• A museum of folklore in Nara Prefecture.
• Opened in 1974, part of Yamato Folk Park.
• Dedicated to traditional livelihoods in Nara.

What to see

• Main building with permanent exhibitions.
• Eleven traditional houses from the Edo period.
• Two houses are Important Cultural Properties.
• Seven houses are Prefectural Cultural Properties.
• Storage warehouses and old folk houses.

When to go

• Closed from July 16, 2024, for renovation.

Address

奈良県大和郡山市矢田町545番地 大和民俗公園内 Map

Official site

www.pref.nara.jp

Read more about Nara Prefectural Museum of Folklore

Neiraku Museum houses a private collection of East Asian art, sharing admission with Isuien Garden.

What it is

• A registered museum in Nara City.
• Established in 1940 by Junsaku Nakamura.
• Houses over 2,000 art pieces.
• Collection by three generations of the Nakamura family.

What to see

• Ancient Chinese bronzes, mirrors, and seals.
• Ceramics from China, Goryeo, Joseon, and Japan.
• Exhibits 'Ikufuku Ichiraku-jo' by Tanomura Chikuden.
• Admission shared with Isuien Garden.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.

Official site

isuien.or.jp

Read more about Neiraku Museum

Photography museum in Nara City, dedicated to Irie Taikichi, showcasing his works and modern architecture.

What it is

• A photography museum in Nara City.
• Dedicated to photographer Irie Taikichi.
• Opened in April 1992.
• Part of the Nara Triangle Museums.

What to see

• Exhibition rooms A and B.
• Irie Taikichi Memorial Room.
• High-vision corner and reference room.
• Building designed by Kisho Kurokawa.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Hashiicho bus stop.
• Located near Shin-Yakushiji Temple.
• Located near Nara Park.

Official site

irietaikichi.jp

Read more about Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography Nara City

See Japanese art from Nara's top artists, just a 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.

What it is

• A prefectural art museum, opened in 1973.
• Collection started with Yoshikawa Kanpo's donations.

What to see

• Japanese paintings, ukiyo-e, and crafts.
• Works by Kenkichi Tomimoto.
• Tetsuji Yura's collection of Japanese paintings and ukiyo-e.
• Kaichi Ohashi's collection.
• Over 4,100 items as of 2018.
• Two-story building with one basement level.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.

Official site

www.pref.nara.jp

Read more about Nara Prefectural Museum of Art

This museum showcases East Asian ancient art, including National Treasures, in a notable modern building.

What it is

• A private museum in Nara, Nara Prefecture.
• Founded in 1946 by Kintetsu president Torao Oita.
• Opened in 1960 for Kintetsu's 50th anniversary.
• Focuses on East Asian ancient art.

What to see

• 2113 items of East Asian ancient art.
• Collection includes 4 National Treasures.
• Collection includes 31 Important Cultural Properties.
• Modern Movement Architecture selected building.
• Located on a hill facing Sugawara Pond.

Official site

www.kintetsu-g-hd.co.jp

Read more about Museum Yamato Bunkakan

A historic garden cafe, restaurant, and printmaking museum near Hase-dera Temple.

What it is

• A modern Japanese-style building.
• Operates as a garden cafe and restaurant.
• Also functions as a printmaking museum.
• Six buildings registered as tangible cultural properties.

What to see

• Main building completed in 1812.
• Tea room designed by Yamada Shin.
• Exhibits about 40 print works.
• Faces the approach to Hase-dera Temple.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Hasedera Station.

Address

奈良県桜井市大字初瀬857番地 Map

Read more about Sabō Haseji

Explore a samurai's retirement home, now a museum, offering a glimpse into 19th-century life.

What it is

• A samurai residence in Nara, Japan.
• Retirement home of Oyamada Shuri.
• Now a museum for Oyamada Shuri and Yagyu-han.
• Opened as a museum on November 1, 1981.

What to see

• A Nara Prefecture designated cultural property.
• Large stone wall built in 1841.
• Residence construction began in August 1847.

When to go

• Open from 9:00 to 17:00.
• Closed from December 27 to January 4.

Read more about Kyū Yagyū-han Karō Yashiki

This free private museum preserves Naramachi's history through folk materials and antiques.

What it is

• A private museum opened in 1985.
• Aims to preserve the Naramachi district.
• Admission is free.

What to see

• Folk materials from daily life.
• Signboards from Edo to Taisho periods.
• Buddhist statues and antiques.

When to go

• Open 10:00 to 16:00.
• Closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from JR Nara Station.

Official site

naramachi.co.jp

Read more about Naramachi Museum