Nara National Museum

A Message from the Executive Director

The Nara National Museum sits in a corner of Nara Park surrounded by Tōdaiji Temple, Kōfukuji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. We work with temples, shrines and other owners of cultural properties to conserve and study ancient artworks and archaeological objects, particularly those with a deep connection to Buddhism.
We also hold exhibitions to convey the allure and the rich history and culture of these superlative artworks cultivated through Buddhist devotion. We have established a donation system with the aim of earning your support by communicating the charms of our museum and establishing it as a familiar presence in all your lives.
Your donations will be used to restore cultural properties. They will also help make our museum more attractive by contributing to the costs associated with holding exhibitions and renewing facilities and furnishings.
Our cultural properties are our shared historical and cultural heritage. We kindly ask for your warm support and generous contributions in our efforts to ensure these properties can be passed down to the future generation.
Marking its 130th anniversary in 2025, the Nara National Museum issued the “New Nara National Museum Declaration.” With the aim of becoming a museum that is even more beloved and familiar to the public, we are all working diligently toward this goal each day.

The New Nara National Museum Declaration

1. Both domestically and overseas, we will widely communicate the appeal of Nara, which has fostered an abundance of nature, history, and culture, and communicate its real worth to future generations.

2. We will be a focal point for research into Buddhist art and assist people in the community and around the world with their studies.

3. We will surpass the idea of a welcoming museum to be a place where everyone who visits can feel a sense of warmth and affection.

As we look toward the next 130 years, we sincerely ask for your continued support and cooperation.

Inoue Yoichi, Director
Nara National Museum