[2026 Edition] How to Enjoy The Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures at the Nara National Museum! Detailed Information on Highlights, Transportation, and More

2026.10.23

Every autumn, Nara hosts the Shosoin Exhibition, a special event held just once a year. At this exhibition, visitors can discover daily necessities and exquisite crafts from the Nara period, around 1,300 years ago, as well as precious objects brought to Japan from East Asia, West Asia, and beyond. If you are visiting Nara this autumn, why not add the Shosoin Exhibition to your itinerary?

• Table of Contents
• What is the "The Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures"?
• What Exactly Is the Shosoin Repository?
• Highlights of 2026: Rare Treasures You Won’t Want to Miss!
• How to purchase tickets and prices
• Access
• Final Tips

What is the "The Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures"?

The Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures
is one of Nara’s most celebrated cultural events of the autumn season. Every
year, large numbers of visitors come to the Nara National Museum to see these
precious treasures.

The exhibition features everyday items and works of craftsmanship from the Nara period, approximately 1,300 years ago, along with rare objects brought to Japan from distant regions of East Asia and West Asia. Among the highlights are treasures associated with Emperor Shomu, offering a fascinating glimpse into the lives and culture of people at the time, as well as Japan’s historical exchanges with other countries.

The 78th Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in
Treasures will be held from October 24 to November 9, 2026.

Nara National Museum - The Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures

What Exactly Is the Shosoin Repository?

The Shōsōin is a historic treasure house located within the grounds of Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara.

The Japanese word shoso refers to a
storehouse used to preserve important objects at temples and government
offices. The Shosoin at Todaiji Temple has carefully preserved a remarkable
collection of treasures associated with the Nara period. Many of these objects are connected to
Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo, while others are associated with the
eye-opening ceremony of the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple.

The appeal of the Shosoin treasures goes
far beyond their ability to tell us about Japanese life and culture 1,300 years
ago. Some of the objects also provide valuable evidence of historical exchanges
between Japan and other regions, including China, the Korean Peninsula, Central
Asia, and West Asia.

Through objects brought from distant lands and exquisite crafts influenced by different cultures, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of international exchange during this period.

For this reason, the Shosoin treasures are
often described as a “treasure trove of the Silk Road.”

Highlights of 2026: Rare Treasures You Won’t Want to Miss!

The 2026 Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures is scheduled to feature more than 60 treasures, including 12 items being exhibited for the first time.

Some treasures return to public display
only after many decades. One example is the Mask of the King of the Drunken Barbarians
(Suiko-o no Gigaku-men), which was last exhibited in 1964.  One of the great attractions of the Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures is the opportunity to see treasures that are rarely displayed. Some may not be shown again for many years, making this a truly special opportunity to appreciate these remarkable objects.

Another notable highlight this year is a
specimen known as “Rainbow Dragon” (Mummified Ermine).

Recent research has confirmed that the animal remains found in the Shōsōin Treasure House belong to a marten, a species native to Japan. It is a rare specimen of an animal.

So why was the marten left in the Shōsōin Treasure House?

Did it accidentally wander into the storehouse, die there, and then dry out naturally? Or did its dragon-like appearance hold some special meaning, leading to its intentional preservation?

The origin of that remains a mystery to this day.

These treasures, passed down through approximately 1300 years, hold not only the romance of history but also mysterious stories that remain unsolved even to us today. Knowing this background will allow you to enjoy the Shosoin Exhibition on a deeper level.

How to purchase tickets and prices

The Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures
is extremely popular and attracts large crowds every year. Tickets are sold on
a timed-entry basis, so purchasing yours in advance is highly recommended.

When buying a ticket, you must select your
preferred admission time. Tickets for each time slot are available only while
supplies last, so be sure to book early if you plan to visit.

If you would prefer to enjoy the exhibits
at a more relaxed pace, consider choosing an early morning or late afternoon
time slot.

Tickets can be purchased at convenience stores such as Lawson, as well as through various online ticketing websites. Same-day tickets may also be available at the special ticket counter inside the Nara National Museum, subject to availability.

Ticket price:

Adults: ¥2,000

High school and university students: ¥1,500

Elementary and junior high school students: ¥500

Discounted tickets are also available for late-afternoon admission.

Adults: ¥1,500

High school and university students: ¥1,000

Elementary and junior high school students:
Free

Please note that visitors aged 70 and over must also purchase a timed-entry ticket at the regular adult price. Since it is easy to assume that senior visitors receive free admission or a discount, be sure to check the ticket requirements in advance.

Access

The Nara National Museum, venue of the Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures, is located within Nara Park. It is also close to popular attractions such as Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, making it easy to combine your museum visit with sightseeing around Nara.

If you go by train

Get off at Kintetsu Nara Station, and walk east along Noborioji Street for about 15 minutes.

Get off at JR Nara Station and walk for about 30 minutes.

You can enjoy the streetscape of Nara along the way.

If you go by bus

Take a local bus from Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station and get off at the "Himuro-jinja/ Kokuritsu-hakubutsukan" bus stop. The Nara National Museum is directly across
the road.

The one-way bus fare is ¥250.

Please note that the Nara National Museum
does not have a dedicated parking lot for visitors. Roads around Nara Park can
also become congested during the Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures, so
using public transportation is strongly recommended.

Nara Bus Navi

Final Tips

The Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in Treasures
offers a rare opportunity to see precious treasures that are not normally
accessible to the public. Take your time exploring the exhibits and imagining
the history and stories behind each object.

This autumn, why not enjoy the colorful
fall foliage, stroll through Nara Park, and meet its adorable deer before
embarking on a journey through 1,300 years of history at the Nara National
Museum? Make the Annual Exhibition of Shōsō-in
Treasures one of the highlights of your autumn trip to Nara!