Visit Nara

This is a surprisingly sophisticated museum, with state of the art exhibitions and animations explaining the history of Heijo-Kyo and the close contact between Japan’s envoys and China’s Tang Dynasty. Explanations are in English, French, Chinese and Korean. Two theaters show animated accounts of the journeys to China and the history of Heijo-Kyo and building of the Great Buddha at Todaiji. Headsets with commentary in English, Chinese or Korean are provided. At the front of the museum is a full size replica of the boats used to travel to China. The museum is designed with children in mind and is free for foreign travelers who show their passport.