Todai-ji Museum at a glance
The museum opened in October 2011. It has five galleries and exists to protect and display treasures of the temple. The galleries and the storage rooms use earthquake isolation systems. The second gallery follows the interior of the Hokkedo.
Nikko and Gakko, along with Kichijoten and Benzaiten, statues once kept in the Hokkedo, were moved to the museum as protection against earthquakes. A visit also gives you an indoor stop next to the Great Buddha Hall.
Tickets and opening hours 2026
The museum charges its own fee, or you can use the combined ticket with the Daibutsuden.
| Ticket | Adult (13+) | Child (6 to 12) |
|---|---|---|
| Museum only | JPY 800 | JPY 400 |
| Combined: Daibutsuden and museum | JPY 1,200 | JPY 600 |
| Season | Opening | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| April to October | 09:30 to 17:30 | 17:00 |
| November to March | 09:30 to 17:00 | 16:30 |
The last entry is 30 minutes before closing. There are no fixed weekly closing days, but the museum can close temporarily. Buy the combined ticket at the Daibutsuden or the museum and pay in cash. Buying both single tickets costs JPY 1,600, so the combined ticket saves JPY 400. It covers those two sites only, not the Hokkedo or the Kaidan-in. See the tickets page for every fee.
Nara tours that include Todai-ji
Guided walks, bike rides and day trips with Todai-ji on the route, with live prices and availability.
What the museum is for
A place to see pieces that are kept safe indoors.
Treasures in safe keeping
The museum protects and shows treasures of the temple. The galleries and depots use earthquake isolation. Several statues from the Hokkedo were moved here as protection against earthquakes.
The Hokkedo link
The second gallery is modeled on the inside of the Hokkedo, and statues moved from that hall are kept in the museum. If you visit both, the hall itself is still worth a stop.
Displays change
Special exhibitions come and go, and works on view can rotate. If you want a particular piece, check the museum's notices before you go, because it may not be on display.
The library is separate
The temple library is not part of the museum. A closure of the library does not mean the museum is closed.
Rules inside
Photography, drawing and flashlights are not allowed inside the museum. The same holds in the Hokkedo and the Kaidan-in. The Daibutsuden has its own rules, which allow personal photos, so do not carry that habit into the galleries.
The combined ticket and the audio guide are different things. The audio guide costs JPY 500 per person, runs about 30 minutes, is available in German and is given out behind the Daibutsuden ticket gate. It is not an entry ticket.
Fit the museum into your route
Allow time on top of the main halls.
Winter hours are shorter
From November to March the museum closes at 17:00 and the last entry is 16:30. In the summer half-year it closes at 17:30 with last entry at 17:00.
Pair it with the Great Buddha Hall
The combined ticket is the reason to do so. Start at the Daibutsuden and walk on, or the other way around. Read about the Great Buddha before you go in.
Other temple treasure halls
Nara has more treasure halls, such as those at Kofukuji and Kasuga Taisha, covered at Kofukuji and Kasuga Taisha.
A good stop on a wet day
The museum is an indoor option when the weather turns. Nara's rainiest months on average are June with 184.1 mm, July with 173.5 mm and September with 159.0 mm. May and October also bring more than 130 mm. These are long-term monthly totals, not a forecast, but they are a fair reason to keep the museum in reserve for the day your outdoor plans fall through.
Because the combined ticket lets you pair it with the Daibutsuden, you can also split the day: the main hall in the morning, the museum later. Mind the last entry, which is 17:00 in summer and 16:30 in winter.
Todai-ji Museum: frequently asked questions
How much is the Todai-ji Museum?
JPY 800 for ages 13 and up and JPY 400 for ages 6 to 12 in 2026. The combined ticket with the Daibutsuden is JPY 1,200 and JPY 600.
What are the opening hours?
09:30 to 17:30 from April to October, with last entry at 17:00. From November to March it is 09:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30.
Is the museum closed on certain days?
There are no fixed weekly closing days, but temporary closures can happen. Check before you go if you have a tight schedule.
Does the combined ticket include the Hokkedo?
No. It covers the Daibutsuden and the museum only.
Can I take photos in the museum?
No. Photography, drawing and flashlights are not allowed inside.
Is the museum worth it?
If you care about the temple's treasures and how they are kept, yes. It also adds only JPY 400 to the Daibutsuden ticket if you use the combined ticket.