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Event Guide · Kansai

Annual Exhibition of Shōsōin Treasures

October–NovemberNara2026 (78th): Oct 24 – Nov 9, open every day during the exhibition
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Overview

Overview

A special autumn exhibition showing items selected each year from the roughly 9,000 treasures handed down in the Shosoin, the treasure house of Todai-ji. The 78th exhibition in 2026 displayed about 60 items, 11 of them shown for the first time. It is a rare chance to see Nara-period crafts, textiles, Buddhist implements and documents up close.

When
Usually late October to early November (about 2–3 weeks)
Confirmed dates: 2026 (78th): Oct 24 – Nov 9, open every day during the exhibition
Venue
Nara National Museum (50 Noborioji-cho, Nara)
Official website
https://shosoin-ten.jp/
Official website (English) ↗
Highlights

Highlights

Items shown in 2026 included the Shikkohei lacquered ewer, the White Glass Bottle said to have come from the Iran region, the Kogebachiru no Kishi (dyed and carved ivory go pieces), and a Mitsuda-painted box associated with the Great Buddha's eye-opening ceremony. You can savor the exquisite Tenpyo-era craftsmanship that arrived via the Silk Road.

Times

Times

Opening hours (Mon–Thu)8:00–18:00

2026 (78th exhibition). Last entry 60 minutes before closing

Opening hours (Fri, Sat, Sun & holidays)8:00–20:00

2026 (78th exhibition). Last entry 60 minutes before closing

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Admission is by timed-entry tickets. In 2026, timed tickets went on sale at 10:00 on September 4 (reported prices: adults 2,000 yen, high school and university students 1,500 yen, elementary and junior high school students 500 yen). Same-day tickets are sold at a special counter only if slots remain, so buying in advance is the safe option
  • ✓There are discounted time slots for entry from the late afternoon onward (2026 reports). Late-afternoon and evening slots are also recommended as it's relatively easier to view
  • ✓The display cases get crowded, so check the treasures you want to see on the official website beforehand to get around efficiently
  • ✓The museum is inside Nara Park, making it easy to combine with Todai-ji, Kofuku-ji and Kasuga Taisha. When feeding the deer crackers, be careful not to let them eat paper
  • ✓An official English page is available (shosoin-ten.jp/en/)
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Kintetsu Nara Station (Kintetsu Nara Line)About a 15 min walkHead east along Noborioji street
  • JR Nara StationTake the city loop bus to "Himuro Jinja / Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan"About 30 min on foot
From major stations
  • Kyoto Station: Kintetsu Kyoto Line (Limited Express or Express) to Kintetsu Nara Station (About 35–50 min)
  • Osaka-Namba Station: Kintetsu Nara Line (Rapid Express) to Kintetsu Nara Station (About 40 min)
Extra buses & shuttles
None (use route buses such as the city loop bus)
IC cards (Suica etc.)
IC cards such as ICOCA and Suica can be used on Kintetsu, JR and Nara Kotsu buses
Getting back
  • After evening opening on Fridays, weekends and holidays, many people walk toward Kintetsu Nara Station, but it moves relatively smoothly. Some paths in Nara Park are dark at night, so stick to well-lit main streets
  • Roads around Nara Park tend to be congested on weekends and buses are often delayed. Walking to Kintetsu Nara Station is the most reliable option
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Daytime on weekends and holidays, the opening days and the final week
Quieter times
Right after opening on weekdays (the 8:00 hour) and from the late afternoon onward
Time needed
About 1.5–2 hours to view the exhibition
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
Based on JMA normals, late October to early November in Nara is around 10°C in the mornings and evenings, and colder on some days
What to wear
Wear layers such as a light coat or cardigan for waiting outdoors and walking around Nara Park
Rain, snow & typhoons
As an indoor exhibition, it is generally not canceled due to weather, but follow official announcements for any temporary changes
Where to check for cancellations
Shosoin Exhibition official website (https://shosoin-ten.jp/), Hello Dial 050-5542-8600
☁ Kansai weather in October →☁ Kansai weather in November →
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Photography is not allowed in the galleries (follow the venue's instructions)
  • !Do not touch or lean on the display cases
  • !Do not eat or drink inside the museum
  • !The deer in Nara Park are wild animals. Do not touch or chase them, and do not feed them anything other than deer crackers
  • !Take your trash home
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
  • !Smoking while walking is banned in many cities. Use designated smoking areas.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Toilets are available inside the museum (lines form when it's crowded)
Lockers & luggage
Leave large luggage in coin lockers at Kintetsu Nara Station or elsewhere before coming so you can view the exhibition comfortably
Paying at food stalls
Tickets are generally bought in advance online or elsewhere. Some food stalls and shops around Nara Park are cash only
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs (Seven Bank, etc.) are available around Kintetsu Nara Station
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
At crowded times, viewing with a wheelchair or stroller can be difficult. Contact the Nara National Museum for details
Food

Food

Local favorites
Kakinoha-zushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves)Narazuke (pickles cured in sake lees)Chagayu (tea rice porridge)Kuzumochi and other kudzu sweets
Vegetarian & halal
Vegetarian and halal labels are not common. Check with restaurants around Kintetsu Nara Station in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
🏨 Where to stay during the event

Weekends during the exhibition overlap with the autumn leaves season, and hotels in Nara city fill up. You can also stay in Kyoto or Osaka and visit on a day trip

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Annual Exhibition of Shōsōin TreasuresPR

PRSee more places to stay near Annual Exhibition of Shōsōin Treasures on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Kansai

January

Wakakusa Yamayaki

Kansai ・ Nara

Usually the fourth Saturday of January (fireworks from around 18:15 in the evening, ignition around 18:30)

Photo coming soonJanuary–February

Kobe Luminarie

Kansai ・ Kobe & Arima Onsen

Usually about 10 days from late January to early February (lit from dusk to around 21:30)

2027 (32nd): Jan 29 – Feb 7

February

Baikasai (Plum Blossom Festival)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on February 25 (outdoor tea ceremony 10:00–15:00)

Every year on February 25 (Feb 25 in 2027)

May

Aoi Matsuri

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Every year on May 15 (postponed to the 16th if it rains; if it also rains on the 16th, the procession is canceled). Preliminary rites such as Yabusame horseback archery (May 3) and the Saio-dai purification ceremony (May 4) are held in early May

2027: May 15 (held every year on May 15; postponed to the 16th if it rains)

May–October

Noryo Yuka / Kawadoko (Kamogawa & Kibune)

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15

July

Gion Matsuri

Kansai ・ Kyoto City

Usually July 1–31 (Yamahoko procession: Saki Matsuri July 17, Ato Matsuri July 24; Yoiyama eves: Saki Matsuri July 14–16, Ato Matsuri July 21–23)

July

Tenjin Matsuri

Kansai ・ Osaka

Every year on July 24 (Yoimiya) and 25 (Hongu). Related events from late June

2027: Jul 24 (Yoimiya) & Jul 25 (Hongu) (held on the same dates every year)

Photo coming soonJuly

Nachi Fire Festival (Nachi no Ogi Matsuri)

Kansai ・ Shirahama & Nanki

Every year on July 14 (held during the day; Yoimiya offering events are also held the day before, on the 13th)

2027: Jul 14 (held every year on July 14)

August

Koyasan Candle Festival (Mando Kuyo-e)

Kansai ・ Koyasan

Every year on August 13 (the candle festival runs from evening into the night; the Mando Kuyo-e memorial service starts at 20:00)

2027: Aug 13 (held every year on August 13)

September–October

Kishiwada Danjiri Festival

Kansai ・ Osaka

The September festival is usually on a weekend in mid- to late September, and the October festival on a weekend in early to mid-October (2 days each)

Next: 2026 October festival (Higashi-Kishiwada district and others), Oct 10 – Oct 11. The 2026 September festival was held Sep 19 – Sep 20

October

Kanname-sai

Kansai ・ Ise & Shima

Usually October 15–17 (Geku first, then Naiku). Hatsuhobiki is usually on October 15 and 16

2026: Oct 15 – Oct 17 (Geku: night of Oct 15 – Oct 16; Naiku: night of Oct 16 – Oct 17)

Photo coming soonDecember

Kasuga Wakamiya On-matsuri Festival

Kansai ・ Nara

Usually December 15–18 (the Owatari-shiki starts at noon on December 17)

2026: Dec 15 (Tue) – Dec 18 (Fri); Owatari-shiki on Dec 17 (Thu)

See all events →

Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30

PRKlookNara & Kyoto Guided Bus Tour (with a Professional Guide)A day tour from Kyoto visiting Todai-ji, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha and more (admission to the Shosoin Exhibition not included)View