Nara National Museum
Nara National Museum
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
491 reviews
Excellent
206
Very good
222
Average
55
Poor
5
Terrible
3
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Tea & Trails
Japan112 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
I visited the Nara National Museum to see the special KUKAI exhibition. I regretted not purchasing a pre-sale ticket, as I had to wait over 20 minutes to enter. This museum plays a vital role in preserving and showcasing Japanese Buddhist art and heritage. In addition to special exhibitions, it also houses an impressive permanent collection of Buddhist sculptures, paintings, and artifacts, making it a must-visit for those interested in Japanese culture and history.
Written September 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MiZoRe
Japan648 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Every year, from the end of October to the beginning of November, the Shosoin Treasure Exhibition is held.
Recently, there has been no sales at the venue,
but the exhibition is time-designated.
Every year, you can see new treasures.
We recommend enjoying the garden on your way back.
A tea ceremony overlooking the garden is also nice.
Recently, there has been no sales at the venue,
but the exhibition is time-designated.
Every year, you can see new treasures.
We recommend enjoying the garden on your way back.
A tea ceremony overlooking the garden is also nice.
Written November 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChavesLA
Brasilia, DF2,043 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
I am a museologist and was a member of ICOM. I came to this museum with great expectations. Very disappointed because the audio guide is only in Japanese and most of the texts are in Japanese and you cannot use Google Translator. I am very disappointed. In the temporary collection, you can use Google Translator and photograph some pieces.
Written April 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
60726Nicky_11
McLean, VA127 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
If you're looking for medieval Buddhist wooden statues/sculptures, you won't find much of interest here as of May 2015. Instead visit the wonderful collections in the Kofukuji and Todaiji (Sangatsudo) treasury/museum collections and comparable collections in the Sanjusangendo and Ryoanji collections in Kyoto. When the old section of the Nara National Museum re-opens, reportedly sometime in 2016, presumably this will all change and this museum again will be worth visiting. There is an expensive temporary exhibit of medieval Buddhist cannons, but this will hold no interest for foreigners and perhaps little for Japanese either. There's a fee also for what is open to all, but this is waived for persons over 65.
Written May 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracy P
Hong Kong, China654 contributions
Nov 2019 • Friends
Every year, 2-week special exhibition on Shosoin Treasures will be arranged in late October, which attracts many local and overseas visitors come to see. I’m the one of them. The exhibits are amazing but the ticket price is not cheap and too many visitors. No need to reserve tickets online, it’s fast to finish buying process.
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DGurska
Minneapolis, MN10 contributions
Nov 2011 • Solo
I went to the ShĹŤsĹŤin exhibit and it was amazing. Well lit, efficiently laid out, English headsets (for those of us that don't speak Japanese), plenty of places to rest, and a fabulous garden to enjoy tea in. The Buddha wing was also an incredible delight.
Written November 18, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roshanak943
Vancouver, Canada81 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
You can visit there before 5 pm. it is near to Nara park and you see deer in yard of museum. although the building of museum is beautiful in the night.
Written July 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria M
69 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
Unless you're very into Japanese history, or there's a special exhibition, but for an average tourist, this museum is quite boring. With entrance fee of ÂĄ1100 this is a waste of my money and time.
Written November 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
desai66
New Delhi, India170 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
Nara national Museum is a must visit if in Nara and for those interested in knowing more about the Great Buddha of India and the Bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshwara known as kannon in Japanese and Amitabha.
The museum has an amazing collection of Buddhist statues, mandalas, paintings. Its a wealth of information !
The museum has an amazing collection of Buddhist statues, mandalas, paintings. Its a wealth of information !
Written August 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon1796
Beijing, China1,035 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
West wing houses rotating displays that are all in Japanese and probably of great historical significance but did not have much relevance for me. The basement walkway between the two wings is informative about the process for how wooden Buddha statues are made. The highlight is definitely the East Wing in which the hall of Buddha sculptures goes back to 8th century featuring statues found mostly in Nara (moved here for preservation) but some also from Osaka, china, etc. 30mins is enough time to spend here, and well worth the entry
Written December 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to take pictures without flash inside of it?
Written December 26, 2020
The museum had been closed for quite some time for renovation. Is it now fully open? If not, is there an anticipated opening date?
Written December 5, 2016
Yes . the museum is now open. The exhibits were Buddhism artifacts when we were there. Very interesting!
Written December 6, 2016
How long does it take to fully visit this museum ? I know its kind of a subjective question as everyone has it's own pace. I usually carefully look at the details of the artworks but if there are no English explanations, it should take less time to visit.
Written November 1, 2016
Hi,
there are english explanations.... and I think one need at least 2h1/2 -3h to fully visit this museum!
Have a nice trip.
Written November 1, 2016
Is it possible to get tickets online ahead of time?
Written January 31, 2015
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