Nara National Museum

Nara National Museum is nestled in a leafy corner of Nara National Park near Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Shrine and other ancient temples and shrines. 

The history of Buddhism is one of the specialities of this museum. The Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall presents an overview of Japanese sculptures, mainly Buddhist sculptures from the Asuka period (538–709) to the Kamakura period (1185–1333), with additional artworks from China and other countries where Buddhism might have originated. There are also a number of national treasures on display and a variety of special exhibitions.