Nara Palace Site Museum

Overview

The Nara Palace Site Museum (Heijo-kyo Izanai-kan) is a free museum within the vast Heijo Palace archaeological site, displaying excavated artifacts and scale models that bring the 8th-century capital vividly to life.

Highlights

• Mokkan Tablets: Thousands of wooden writing tablets excavated from the site, some still legible after 1,300 years, revealing details of daily bureaucratic life, tax records, and personal messages.
• Scale Models: Detailed reconstruction models showing the palace at its full extent — an enormous complex rivaling the Tang Dynasty capital of Chang'an that inspired it.
• Interactive Displays: Hands-on exhibits allow visitors to try on replica Nara-period court clothing and handle reproductions of excavated objects.

History

Systematic excavation of the Heijo Palace site began in 1959 and continues to this day. Each dig season reveals new findings that reshape understanding of 8th-century Japan. The museum was established to make these ongoing discoveries accessible to the public.

Visitor Tips

• Free Admission: The museum is completely free, as is the entire Heijo Palace Site.
• Combined Visit: Plan to visit the museum first for context, then walk to the reconstructed Suzaku Gate and Daigokuden for the full experience.
• Duration: 30–45 minutes.