Museum sights in Nara
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Nara National Museum
The Nara National Museum is devoted to Buddhist art and is divided into two sections, housed in different buildings. Built in 1894, the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall & Ritual Bronzes Gallery, contains a fine collection of butsu-zō (statues of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas). The Buddhist images here are divided into categories, each with an excellent English explanation, making this an excellent introduction to Mahayana Buddhist iconography. The newer East and West wings, a short walk away, contain the permanent collections (sculptures, paintings and calligraphy) and are used for special exhibitions.
A special exhibition featuring the treasures of the Shōsō-in Hall, which hold…
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B
Nara City Museum of Photography
Around the corner from Shin-Yakushi-ji, this small museum is worth a visit if you are in the area or interested in a particular exhibit (there is no permanent collection). Ask at any of the tourist offices before making the trek. Enter by 4.30pm.
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C
Naramachi Shiryō-kan Museum
Has a decent collection of bric-a-brac from the area, including a display of old Japanese coins and bills.
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Sangatsu-dō
A short walk south of Nigatsu-dō is Sangatsu-dō, which is the oldest building in the Tōdai-ji complex. This hall contains a small collection of fine statues from the Nara period.
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