On rainy days, indoor sightseeing is recommended! 19 interactive and historical

Nara Prefecture has many tourist spots, such as temples, parks, and mountains. However, during bad weather seasons like the rainy season or long periods of rain, many people may wonder where they should go sightseeing. At times like these, how about experiencing craft-making, visiting museums or art galleries, and discovering a different side of Nara Prefecture from its usual image?
Nara has plenty of places where you can enjoy yourself or relax even on rainy days—such as art museums featuring Western and Japanese paintings, workshops using animal hair or woodworking experiences, and science museums. Here, we’ll introduce you to some of Nara’s most charming spots!

1. Naramachi Museum

Established in 1985 (Showa 60), the Naramachi Museum exhibits signboards used during the Edo period, as well as household items that people in Nara used back then.
Admission is free, and the museum also displays artworks and Buddhist statues at no charge. Parts of the facility still retain the atmosphere of Naramachi from those times. Dive into the world of the people of the past and experience it at the Naramachi Museum!

2. Wool Museum (Youmoukan)

The Youmoukan is a place where you can observe and experience wool processing. The wool used here comes from sheep raised at the nearby “Meeme Bokujo” (Sheep Farm).
At Youmoukan, you can try washing, dyeing, and weaving wool. Anyone from elementary school age and up can join. Reservations are required for groups of five or more, with a maximum of 20 participants. Create your own special, cute stuffed animals or yarn balls!

3. Gojo Municipal Cultural Museum

The Gojo Cultural Museum in Nara Prefecture is affectionately called “Gojo Baum” because, when viewed from above, it resembles a Baumkuchen cake.
It was completed in 1995 (Heisei 7) as a base for promoting new culture in Gojo City. The museum building was designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando.
Inside the museum, there are exhibitions covering the history of the Gojo area from ancient to modern times, as well as a museum shop.

4. Nara National Museum

The Nara National Museum consists of three buildings: the Main Building, the West New Building, and the East New Building. The oldest one, the Main Building, was completed in 1894 (Meiji 27).
On display are Buddhist statues such as Kannon Bosatsu, earthenware excavated from various regions in Japan, ancient Chinese bronze vessels, scriptures, and crafts. All of these are of national treasure-class significance.
Nara Prefecture is home to historically famous temples, burial mounds, and shrines. Visiting the Nara National Museum on a rainy day allows you to immerse yourself in an atmosphere similar to when exploring these historical sites.

5. Ikubo Workshop

At Ikubo Workshop, you can use a pen to draw your favorite words or illustrations and create your own unique wooden craft item.
Because you’ll be using your creativity and expression to the fullest, it’s sure to become a special memory of your trip. It’s also recommended as a gift for friends or family. For example, if you have a friend getting married soon, why not make a welcome board for their wedding?

6. Yamazoe Village Jinyoyama Woodworking Studio

The Yamazoe Village Jinyoyama Woodworking Studio is a place where you can enjoy woodworking experiences. You can even bring your own materials and freely create whatever you like.
For beginners, there are ready-to-use kits available, and staff are on hand to support and assist with any questions you may have.
It’s a great place for children working on crafts, as well as for hobbyists who need a workspace for their woodworking projects. The wide range of uses makes it a very welcoming spot!

7. Nakano Museum of Art

The Nakano Museum of Art exhibits modern Japanese paintings, woodblock prints, and sculptures created from the Meiji era to the Showa era. In addition to permanent exhibits, the museum holds seasonal exhibitions and themed displays depending on the time of year.
Inside the museum, you can find both Japanese-style and Western-style paintings, as well as sculptures. Highlights include a bronze statue of a young woman in the Western art gallery and a traditional tea room in the Japanese art gallery.

8. Neiraku Museum of Art

The Neiraku Museum of Art, built in 1969 (Showa 44), features an architectural design inspired by the curved shape of the "mukuri" roof and hills.
It showcases the private collection of art gathered by Junsaku Nakamura, a wealthy shipping magnate from Kobe during the Taisho and Showa periods. The collection includes over 2,000 pieces, featuring ancient Chinese bronze vessels, Japanese tea ceremony utensils, and ceramics from Korea’s Joseon Dynasty.
The museum also frequently holds special exhibitions themed around Japan, China, Korea, and other countries.

9. Yamato Bunkakan Museum

The Yamato Bunkakan Museum was established in 1960 (Showa 35) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Kintetsu Corporation.
At the time, Kintetsu’s president, Torao Oita, wanted to create a facility that could introduce the beauty of Japanese art to the world, especially since the company operated in regions deeply connected with Japan's history.
Inside the museum, visitors can view a large collection of traditional paintings and crafts from Japan, China, and Korea.

10. Shohaku Art Museum

The Shohaku Art Museum exhibits works by painters Shoen Uemura, Shoko Uemura, and Atsushi Uemura, spanning three generations of the Uemura family.
Opened in March 1994, the museum not only showcases their paintings but also highlights their achievements in the field of Japanese art. The museum hosts special exhibitions and open-call shows, helping to promote Japanese painting and foster new generations of artists.

11. Forest Science Museum

The Forest Science Museum is a rare facility in Japan where an actual forest is recreated inside the museum. Even without going outdoors, you can enjoy the feeling of nature indoors, making it a perfect destination for rainy day sightseeing.
It’s especially popular with families, offering interactive learning areas like the Jinyoyama Sugoroku (a board game) and wooden hybrid cars that combine play with education.
Every year on Constitution Memorial Day in May, they hold the “Azalea Festival,” and on the first Saturday of August, there’s a “Starry Sky Gathering.” Admission to the museum is free.

12. Nara Hotel

The Nara Hotel was built on part of the grounds of the old Daijo-in Garden, originally established during the Heian period. It retains the nostalgic atmosphere of the Meiji and Taisho eras. Known as the "Guest House of Kansai," it has hosted the Emperor of Japan when visiting Nara.
The interior is luxurious, and a highlight is the grand piano in the lobby, famously played by Einstein during his stay. With its elegant restaurant, the hotel is an ideal place to stay on a rainy day.

13. Takayama Science Plaza

Takayama Science Plaza is a facility designed to promote interaction with the local community through science.
A prominent feature of the building is the large illustration of Einstein on the wall, whose facial expression appears to change depending on the angle you view it from.
One of its regular events is the “Science School,” a monthly science workshop for children. Here, kids can participate in scientific experiments, watch videos about Earth and space, and enjoy learning more about science.

14. Nara Prefectural Manyo Culture Museum

The Nara Prefectural Manyo Culture Museum opened in 2001 as a comprehensive center for ancient Japanese culture.
As its name suggests, the museum focuses on the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest anthology of waka poems. Visitors can enjoy Japanese paintings inspired by poems from the Manyoshu and experience games from the Nara period.
This valuable facility offers both exhibitions and interactive experiences related to waka poetry, and it regularly hosts exhibitions connected to the Manyoshu.

15. Nara Craft Museum (Nara Kogeikan)

The Nara Craft Museum, known as "Nara Kogeikan," is based on three core principles: inheritance, creation, and openness. It was established to promote the development of traditional crafts in Nara.
The museum offers craft workshops where visitors can try their hand at various traditional crafts, such as pottery and Nara brushes. Monthly events are held throughout the year, providing opportunities to learn about Nara’s rich cultural heritage through hands-on creation.

16. Nara Prefectural Museum of Art

The Nara Prefectural Museum of Art houses a large collection of works by artists closely connected to Nara. Its collection focuses on two major themes: artworks related to Nara Prefecture and works donated by Japanese painter and cultural historian Yoshikawa Kanpo. In total, the museum holds nearly 4,100 pieces.
The collection includes modern Japanese paintings, ukiyo-e prints, and traditional crafts, with about 2,000 items donated by Yoshikawa Kanpo. This museum is considered one of the top art museums in the prefecture.

17. Nara Prefectural Museum of Folklore

The Nara Prefectural Museum of Folklore, affectionately called "Nara Minpaku," preserves and exhibits tools and artifacts that recreate daily life in the old Yamato period.
Through the folk tools and objects gathered here, visitors can learn how people once lived in Nara Prefecture and how they adapted their lives to the region's unique natural environment and cultural customs.
The museum is located within Yamato Folk Park, a large park where visitors can also enjoy seasonal flowers and nature.

18. Kashihara City Insect Museum

The Kashihara City Insect Museum is a facility where you can explore a specimen exhibition room featuring insects from around the world, and experience the world of insects through detailed dioramas. In addition to insect specimens, the museum also displays fossils and has a room where butterflies are raised and exhibited.
One of the most popular attractions for children at the Kashihara Insect Museum is the ecological exhibition room where you can see the world from an insect’s point of view. By maneuvering a camera with a handle, you’ll feel as if you’ve become an insect yourself!
Even on rainy days, you can learn about insects without going outside to search for them. It’s a popular spot, especially during summer vacation.

19. Kashihara City Children’s Science Museum

The Kashihara City Children’s Science Museum is a facility filled with science-related play equipment and hands-on scientific experiences.
There are experiment classes and craft workshops, making it a fun and educational place where kids can learn about the wonders of science through interactive activities.
One of the highlights is the space corner, where children can wear an astronaut suit and experience piloting a spaceship in the "Spaceship Simulator," completing various missions in a fun game setting.

◎ Summary of Rainy Day Spots in Nara Prefecture

Nara Prefecture is famous for its popular tourist spots like temples and shrines, but there are also plenty of wonderful indoor experiences and art appreciation spots that are perfect even on rainy days. Additionally, there are fun hands-on activity spots you can enjoy with children, making it a great option for families.
Because it's a rainy day, why not take the opportunity to visit some of Nara's unique and charming tourist spots that you wouldn't normally experience outdoors?

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