Culture / Tour Spots in Nara Area

  • Nara National Museum
    rating-image
    4.5
    484 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou 50
    This is a museum which opened in Nara City in 1895. The “Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall (in the main building)” which was designed by the court architect, Katayama Tokuma is a Western-style architectural structure from the Meiji period and has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. There are four exhibition halls in the museum, with the museum’s collection focusing on Japanese Buddhist art from the Asuka period up until the Kamakura period. In addition, a great number of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are among the artifacts held and exhibited at the museum. The museum is famous for opening an exhibition of “Shosoin-ten” (Exhibition of Shosoin Treasures) in Autumn every year.

    My friends and I spent about 2 and a half hours here, reading about each statue and piece we came across. There’s plenty of historic pieces to keep you busy that long!

  • Naramachi Mechanical Toy Museum
    rating-image
    4.0
    77 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Narashi Inyouchou 7
    Located inside a traditional Naramachi townhouse, this hands-on museum allows guests to touch and play with toys from yesteryear. The museum's permanent exhibits feature reproductions of mechanical toys from the Edo and later periods which guests can play with. It also hosts events including seminars where participants can try their hand at making toys.

    We had a great time here!! Ive read so many good reviews and decided to take a walk to the place with our children (12 and 10 yo). The place is filled with traditional/ancient Japanese toys. You...

  • Nara Prefecture Complex of Man’yo Culture
    rating-image
    4.0
    35 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Asuka 10
    This cultural museum focuses on the Manyoshu ancient collection of Japanese poetry as well as other classical culture. There's the Japanese Painting Exhibition Hall which has a variety of exhibitions centered around Manyo Japanese paintings, the Manyo Theater where you can experience the Manyo world through music and light, as well as the Special Exhibition Hall where you can see replicas of artifacts from the Asukaike Workshop archeological site discovered on the premises. There are also the Manyo Library and Information Room, Museum Shop, and Manyo Garden located onsite.

    花見目的のドライブから宿に戻る途中たまたま当館の前を通り、まだ少し時間があったことと、駐車場も入館料も無料だったので、ほんの時間潰しぐらいのつもりで入館しました。そんな私たち夫婦に当館のボランティア解説員の方が、展示物や飛鳥時代の歴史についてたいへん詳しく、また時にはジョークを交えながら面白おかしく説明しながら、館内を案内して下さいました。そのおかげで、たいした知識もない私たちでも、たいへんよく理...

  • Nara Prefectural Museum of Art
    rating-image
    3.5
    29 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Narashi Noboriojichou 10-6
    This is an art museum along Prefectural Route 754 in Noborioji Town, Nara City. They opened in 1973 based on the collection of Japanese-style paintings, ukiyo-e wood block prints and handicrafts of Edo Period donated by Kanpo Yoshikawa, a student of study of folklore history and Japanese-style painter. Since then through donations from all over they have collected around 4,100 pieces of art and crafts from the Kamakura Period to the modern day. They hold special exhibitions related to the history of Nara, and art exhibitions as exchanges with international art museums.

    The National museum was closed for more than 1 month due to exhibit change over. We were sent here instead which had a super show on a well known Japanese painter with an all inclusive one man...

  • Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography Nara City
    rating-image
    4.0
    44 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Narashi Takabatakechou 600-1
    This is a photo gallery next to Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple in Takabatake Town, Nara City. The gallery possesses the entire 80,000 item collection of photographer Irie Taikichi, known for capturing the various Yamato scenery around Nara, and holds exhibitions based around these works and also the work of amateurs. The building itself, a work of architect Kisho Kurokawa, is another highlight and represents the importance of harmony with the environment.

    Located slightly away from the main sights, this photography museum hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year. At the time of my visit it was showing two interesting exhibitions:Irie...

  • The Museum Yamato Bunkakan
    rating-image
    4.0
    21 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Narashi Gakuenminami 1-11-6
    The Namako-style walls of The Museum Yamato Bunkakan are evocative of the architecture of the Momoyama Period. Its corridors are supported by imposing wooden framework reminiscent of the kitchen of a Zen monastery, while the soft light from the paper screen doors gives the interior a dignified atmosphere. The museum's collection, which centers primarily on paintings, writings, sculptures, ceramics, lacquer work, metalwork, textiles, and glasswork from Japan, China, and Korea, includes four National Treasures, 31 Important Cultural Properties, and 14 important art objects. The museum also holds exhibits on various themes and is a place where beautiful seasonal flowers can be enjoyed all year long.

    Yamato Bunkakan is a museum of cultural objects and fin arts. It is neither too big, nor too small, and as it is usually not crowded, you can appreciate the exhibit in a tranquil ambience. It is just...

  • Kashihara City Museum of Insects
    rating-image
    3.5
    21 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Kashihara-shi Minamiyamacho 624
    A museum in Minamiyama-cho, Kashihara City. On display are insect and fossil specimens and in the butterfly greenhouse you can observe butterflies from the Yaeyama region of Okinawa. Besides regular themed exhibitions, special events including observation parties are held to help you learn all about insects.

    はっきり言ってかなり一般向けでは無いので、虫が嫌いな方はおススメ出来ません。 標本は少し古いのか色の発色が良く無いものもありましたが、生きてる昆虫に関しては中々良かったです。他に周りたい所があったのです一時間程しか滞在できませんでしたが、虫好きだと結構長くいられます。 生きた珍しい蝶々が沢山見られるのでかなりレアな場所です。個人的にはかなり楽しめましたが、珍しいゴキブリも展示してあるので、やはり...

  • Tenri University Sankokan Museum
    rating-image
    4.0
    22 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Tenri-shi Morimedocho 250
    A museum along the Minami-Oji Road in Morimedo-cho, Tenri City. Their collection includes nearly 300,000 pieces related to everyday culture and classic works of art from around the world. Their permanent exhibition includes part of the collected centered around the twin themes of World Culture and World Antique Art. They also hold special exhibitions, themed exhibitions, lectures, and workshops.

    Tenri Sankokan About a 20-minute walk from Tenri Station is the Tenri Sankokan, a museum where we can meet the cultures of the world and ancient art. When you enter the museum, a colossal stone head...

  • Shouhaku Art Museum
    rating-image
    4.0
    19 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Narashi Tomigaoka 2-1-4
    The Shouhaku Art Museum is located close to the Obuchi Pond in Tomigaoka 2-chome, Nara City. It was opened in 1994 thanks to works donated by Shoko Uemura and Atsushi Uemura. The collection of Nihonga (Japanese-style paintings) on display spans three generations from Shoen Uemura who was the first woman to receive the Order of Culture, to Shoko Uemura and Atsushi Uemura.

    上村松園はじめ三代の作品を所属する美術館です。上村松園好きは必見ですね。ちょっとアクセス悪いのは残念か。

  • Daijo-in Temple Garden Heritage Center
    rating-image
    4.0
    29 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Narashi Takabatakechou 1083-1
    This Heritage Center is a museum in the Garden of the Former Daijo-in Temple, which is located along National Route 169 in Takabatake-cho in the city of Nara. It contains materials connected with Daijo-in Temple, which was founded in 1087 and abandoned during the anti-Buddhist movement in the early Meiji Period (the middle of the nineteenth century). Open to the public free of charge, this museum displays a reconstructed model of what the temple looked like. A teahouse and conference rooms are available to rent.

    奈良ホテルに宿泊し、無料チケットを頂いたので、朝散歩に出かけました。徒歩5分でホテルの坂道を下った所に着きます。冬なので、茶色の芝生が広がり、白梅が咲いていました。お掃除の方に「お花がないのでね。あちらの建物にどうぞ。」と言われそちらへ。写真展をやっており、茶室丸窓からも一幅の絵画のような赤い太鼓橋と、池とお庭が見えました。奈良観光の参考になるパンフレットもいくつか置いてありました。

  • Nara Prefectural Museum of Folklore
    rating-image
    4.0
    12 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Yamatokoriyama-shi Yatacho 545 Yamato Folk customs Park
    A museum in Yamato Folklore Park in Yata-cho, Yamatokooriyama City. Their collection includes daily tools and everyday articles from the Nara region. In addition to their permanent exhibitions covering pre-industrialized rice, tea, and forestry tools as well as what it was like to live during that period, they also hold special exhibitions and workshops.

    村や町から移築された実際の民家が、広い公園の中に展示されている。公園には梅林、菜の花畑、桜、水仙などなど、季節の花々もたくさん見られる。犬の散歩をする人の姿もちらほら。楽しくて和める。博物館の入館料は200円。公園、駐車場は無料。

  • Tenri Municipal Kurozuka Kofun Museum
    rating-image
    4.0
    17 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Tenrishi Yanagimotochou 1118-2
    This museum is situated in Yanagimoto Town, Tenri City, Nara Prefecture. It is focused on the “Kurozuka Kofun”, keyhole-shaped tomb, from which a number of artifacts were excavated, including the 33-sided “Sankakuen shinjukyo” bronze mirror excavated in 1998, which has the most sides of any bronze mirror discovered in Japan. Inside, you’ll find a replica of the tomb’s pit rock chamber as well as replicas of the artifacts. There are also many materials and panel displays on the Kofun period, the Kurozuka Kofun, and the excavations. The view of the rock chamber from the second-floor stairwell is breathtaking.

    There are so many kofun tombs in this area, so this museum made it a lot easier to understand what they are all about. The life-size reproduction of the burial chamber allows us to see what the...

  • Ikaruga Cultural Property Utilization Center
    rating-image
    4.0
    16 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Ikomagunikarugachou Houryujinishi 1-11-14
    This is a cultural property examination and research center located in Horyuji-nishi 1-chome, Ikaruga Town. It spreads information regarding the preservation and display of cultural properties, and promotes the study of the Fujinoki Tumulus and Ikaruga's history through images and exhibits of Fujinoki Tumulus burial accessory replicas.

    凄いお宝を持つ藤ノ木古墳の資料館だと思っていたのに小さい。とにかく小さい。たまたま秋季特別展で出土品は三点しかなかったにしても、レプリカでいいからもっと出土品を味わいたかった。本物は国立とかハイレベルな博物館に持って行かれちゃったのだろうが、レプリカでいいからもっと見せて欲しかった。周りのコスモスは11/09でもいっぱい花が咲いていて良い感じ。

  • Kashihara Municipal Children's Museum of Science
    rating-image
    4.0
    8 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Kashihara-shi Osacho 11-5 Kashihara Manyo Hall B1
    "A participatory science facility where visitors can learn the basics of science with physical activity while playing. The science museum, where Newton and Galileo greet you just as you enter, has about 10 different experience zones, including the ""How forces work"" Zone and the ""How electricity and magnets work"" Zone. In the experimental workshop in the center of the floor, visitors can experience and observe experiments conducted by science teachers, such as hydrogen-fueled rocket and liquid nitrogen experiments."

    子供たちが、科学について学べる施設のようです。少し時間が余ったので入りましたが、家族連れには良さそうな内容でした。

  • Hakomoto-kan Konya
    rating-image
    4.0
    15 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Yamatokoriyamashi Konyamachi 19-1
    A hands-on experience-based tourism facility located in Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture where visitors can enjoy traditional indigo dying and goldfish crafts. Situated inside an old townhome which was used to operate an indigo dying business starting in the Edo period. The facility’s fat exposed beams and lattice doors create a charming atmosphere. Hakomoto-kan’s indigo dying classes (reservation only) give participants the chance to use chopsticks, clothespins, film cases, and other at-hand tools to create a unique dyed good. The facility’s collection of goldfish-themed crafts, artwork, and everyday life items spans some 1,000 pieces. A rotating selection of these items is always placed on display for visitors to enjoy viewing.

    We had a wonderful experience learning techniques for dyeing with real indigo at this beautiful old indigo workshop. We had a private lesson for just the two of us with a lovely teacher who, although...

  • Takayama Chikurin'en
    rating-image
    3.5
    14 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Ikoma-shi Takayamacho 3440
    "Encircled by the Ikoma Mountains, famous nationwide as a quasi-national park, Ikoma City in Nara Prefecture is known to many as a tourism destination due to this spectacular scenery as well as its abundant shrines, temples, and historic sites. This beautiful park is located on the northern extremity of Ikoma. Open to the general public, facilities include a museum with an exhibition room, Japanese room, and training room; and the Chikubuan tearoom. The park also offers a variety of activities and classes, and holds live demonstrations of Takayama tea whisk production. In addition, the park holds the nighttime Takayama Takeakari ""bamboo illumination"" event in early October which delights visitors with mysterious and magical scenery."

    If you are interested in Japanese craft-making, then this place is for you. If you are interested in strolling through gardens, then this place is for you. If you are interested in museums of...

  • Morino-Kyuyakuen Garden
    rating-image
    3.5
    14 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Udashi Oudakamishin 1880
    Morino -Kyuyakuen Garden, located on the hill behind the longstanding “Morino Yoshino-kuzu Honpo” in Uda City, Nara Prefecture, opened in the Muromachi period. It is currently the oldest private herb garden in Japan. It was opened by 11th-generation Tosuke Morino in the Kyoho period and has been maintained for nearly 300 years. Uda has been known as a region famous for herbs for a long time, and there are approximately 250 types of herbs cultivated here as naturally as possible. The seasonal blossoms are gorgeous as well, delighting visitors year-round.

    古い町並みが残る宇陀市大宇陀の松山地区。道の駅から、松山地区の中を貫くている通りを北へ向かうと、右手に、「森野旧薬園」がありました。「史跡」と書かれた石碑が門の横に建っています。 「森野薬園」の始まりは江戸時代で、当時の面影をそのまま残す希少な薬園でもあるそうです。入園料300円で中に入ることができるそうでしたが、門が閉ざされていたため、入りませんでした。でも、道路わきからも、江戸時代を感じる...

  • Katsuragi City Sumo Museum Kehayaza
    rating-image
    3.5
    14 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Katsuragishi Taima 83-1
    This is a museum along Prefectural Route 160 in Taima, Katsuragi City. They display materials related to Taima no Kehaya, the founder of sumo wrestling. Inside the museum there is also a Dohyo (Sumo wrestling ring) of identical size to those used in official Sumo tournaments, and since visitors are free to climb up onto the ring, it is a popular place for Sumo fans.

    The history and philosophy of Sumo is fully explained, before two sumo wrestlers engage in the “best of three” bouts. Then a bold volunteer from our group accepted the offer to challenge one of the...

  • Todaiji Museum
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Narashi Suimonchou 100
    A museum situated inside the Todaiji Culture Center in Nara City, Nara Prefecture which preserves and displays the treasures of the Todaiji Temple. Through designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, you can learn about the history of the Todaiji and the thinking of the people involved in the temple since its founding, as well as the significance of the Todaiji temple itself. The museum displays a variety of sculptures, calligraphy works, and handicrafts by era, including Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu Ritsuzo (standing statues of Suryaprabha and Candraprabha), designated National Treasures; and an Important Cultural Property-designated Senju Kannon Bosatsu standing figure of a thousand-armed Kannon. The museum also holds special exhibitions.
  • Yanagisawa Bunko
    rating-image
    3.5
    13 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Nara Pref. Yamatokoriyamashi Jounaichou 2-18
    Yanagisawa Bunko is a library dedicated to local history located near to the Koriyama Castle Ruins in Jonai Town, Yamatokoriyama City. The library is home to a collection of materials donated by the Yanagisawa family who served as lord of Koriyama for generations, and books on the local area. As well as housing old texts like paintings, writings and poetry by successive lords, and artifacts pertaining to the duties and administration of the clan, the library holds exhibitions three times a year.

    郡山城天守台のそばにあります。関連展示をしています。有料です。建物自体、特に張り出しが立派で歴史を感じます。隣には柳澤神社。柳澤氏とは将軍綱吉の側用人との事です。

Nara Areas

around-area-map

With a reputation almost as stellar as that of Kyoto, Nara is a must-visit for those searching for the remains of "traditional Japan." The largely green Nara city holds the majority of the prefecture’s treasures, such as the iconic Todai-ji Temple, in which a 15-meter tall Great Buddha sits, and Nara Park, where deer flock to befriend passersby. While mountains are by no means hard to come by in this area, for hiking with a reward, head to the Kii Mountains’ Yoshino district in spring, when the hillsides put on an impressive display of white and pink cherry blossoms.

Nara Photo Album

Browse Interests