It is a national museum that opened in 1895 and has more than 120 years of history. The exhibition includes numerous national treasures and important cultural properties centered on Buddhist art. One of the exhibition halls, “Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall”, is a European-style building representing the middle of the Meiji era, and has been designated as an important cultural asset. It is one of the leading Buddha statue exhibition facilities in Japan where nearly 100 Buddhist statues can be viewed at any time. Special exhibitions, such as paintings and writings, archeology, and crafts, are held in the new wing from time to time. In the underground corridor where entrance is free, there are museum shops and restaurants that sell original goods.
