- Address: Japan, 〒630-8213 Nara Prefecture, Nara, 登 大路 町 50
- Phone: +81 742-22-7771
- Official website: www.narahaku.go.jp
- Year of foundation: 1889
- Opening hours: Tue-Sun 09: 30-17: 00, Mon - closed
- Cost of visiting: $ 4.6
In the Japanese city of Nara , which was once the capital of the country, is the eponymous museum, which is one of the outstanding national art museums in the country . He is famous for keeping a vast collection of works of Buddhist art. That is why the National Museum of Nara should definitely be included in his trip to Japan .
History of the National Museum of Nara
For the construction of one of the largest cultural sites of the country, the city of Nara was chosen, in which from 710 to 784 the capital of Japan was located. Initially in 1889 the museum received the status of "imperial", and since 1952 it has become known as the national one. The first exhibition took place only 6 years after its foundation - in 1895.
For 128 years, the National Museum of Nara has been renamed, re-equipped and transferred to the department of one or another state organization. Now it unites four national museums, whose purpose is to preserve the culture of Tokyo and Nara.
Architectural style of the National Museum of Nara
The famous Japanese architect Katayama Tkuma, who was inspired by the style of the French Renaissance, was working on the creation of this grandiose structure. Around the western entrance was a decorative ornament, which was very popular in the Meiji era.
Currently, the structure of the National Museum of Nara includes the following units:
- a library of Buddhist arts, created in 1980;
- Japanese tea house Hassoan, located in the courtyard;
- Conservation Center, established to preserve, restore and document cultural property;
- East and West Wing, where the main collection of the museum is kept.
Restorers specializing in the preservation of sculptures, paintings and ancient texts, work outside the walls of the National Museum of Nara.
Exhibits of the National Museum of Nara
There is a large collection of Buddhist art in the region, as well as other relics that were once stored in nearby temples. In the National Museum of Nara, you can see the sculptures of times, when the city was located the rate of the emperor, as well as the Kamakura period (1185-1333 gg.). In addition to them, here are exhibited:
- works of ancient Chinese art;
- manuscripts;
- sacred texts;
- archival materials and much more.
In the library of Buddhist arts you can get acquainted with old photographs, books, replicas of ancient books, stickers. All these artifacts are very popular among historians, archaeologists and religious scholars.
Going into the inner courtyard of the National Museum of Nara, you can see the Japanese tea house Hassoan with numerous windows. It consists of four rooms with niches (tokonoma), covered with tatami. Hassoan is one of the three great tea houses of the city.
In between the excursions to the National Museum of Nara, you can go down to the 150-meter underground corridor, which includes souvenir shops and a recreation area.
How to get to the National Museum of Nara?
To get acquainted with the collection of Buddhist art, you need to go to the eastern part of the city of Nara . The National Museum of Nara is located 3 km from the center, so the road to it can be found without much difficulty. 850 meters away is the Kintetsu-Nara railway station, which can be reached via the Kintetsu-Kyoto, Kintetsu-Limited Express and Kintetsu-Nara lines.
From the center of the city to the National Museum of Nara is also the National Route 369 and Relief road. Following them, you can reach your destination in less than 10 minutes.