Nara Prefectural Museum of Art | Walking Through 4,600 Works from Kamakura period to Contemporary Japan

Introduction

Just steps from the bustling sights of Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, and Kōfuku-ji Temple, the Nara Prefectural Museum of Art offers a quieter, more contemplative space. Since its opening in 1973, it has served as a cultural hub for both residents and visitors, showcasing Japanese art from the medieval era to today.

Origins and Collections

The museum began with a major donation from Yoshikawa Kanpō (1894–1979), a scholar of cultural history and Japanese-style painter. His gift of Edo-period paintings, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and crafts became the museum’s foundation.
Over the years, it has grown to house more than 4,600 works spanning the Kamakura period to the present, including the Yura Collection, the Ōhashi Collection, and ceramics by Kenkichi Tomimoto, a pioneer of modern Japanese pottery. The holdings cover painting, crafts, sculpture, calligraphy, and cultural artifacts.

Exhibitions

It continues to highlight themes connected to Nara's own history and culture.

Why Visit

Its location makes it an ideal stop between exploring Nara Park, visiting historic temples, and strolling the streets of Naramachi. For travelers seeking a balance between sightseeing and a calm, art-focused experience, the Nara Prefectural Museum of Art is a perfect choice.

Suggested Day Itinerary

• Morning: Nara Park (meet the deer) → Kōfuku-ji Temple & Five-Story Pagoda

• Lunch: Naramachi district

• Afternoon: Nara Prefectural Museum of Art → Nearby café for a quiet break

Address

10-6 Noborioji-chō, Nara City, Nara 630-8213, Japan
Located on the north side of Nara Park, near the Prefectural Office intersection. 5 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station.

Admission Fee Notice

Visitors residing outside Japan are not eligible for free admission, even if they are elementary, junior high, or high school students, or under 18 years old.