Nara National Museum

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.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.