Naramachi

Shiryokan Museum

奈良町資料館

Naramachi Shiryo-kan

Discover the Folk Culture

of Historic Naramachi

Located in the heart of Naramachi, the Naramachi Shiryokan Museum introduces visitors to the traditional culture, folk beliefs, and everyday life of historic Nara. Through a collection of household items, folk crafts, religious objects, and historical materials, the museum offers insight into the customs and lifestyle that shaped the local community.

One of the museum's best-known symbols is the Migawari-zaru, a red monkey charm associated with Kōshin folk belief. Hanging from the eaves of many houses in Naramachi, these charms have long been believed to protect homes and families from misfortune and remain a distinctive feature of the historic district.

For visitors interested in local history and traditional culture, the Naramachi Shiryokan Museum provides a welcoming introduction to the everyday heritage of old Nara.

Exterior view of a Japanese building decorated with red lanterns and lantern-shaped ornaments, with a wooden sign with Japanese characters on it.
A bronze statue of a standing deity or figure with traditional Japanese or Buddhist attire, surrounded by red decorative lanterns and paper lanterns hanging above, with a Japanese script plaque beside it.
Numerous red fabric pouches with white bands and black Chinese characters hanging from strings, typically used as prayer or fortune charms in Asian culture.
A Buddhist or Shinto religious statue of a female deity or bodhisattva, with intricate robes, a halo, and jewelry, standing on a pedestal inside a shrine with various displays, signs, and red decorations around.
Display of handmade fabric and knit crafts, including bags, pouches, towels, and toys at a craft market stall.
A religious altar with a statue of a multi-armed deity inside a black wooden cabinet. The altar is decorated with colorful flowers at the base and has a sign with Japanese writing and the title 'Shomenkongo' below the statue.
Display of traditional Japanese objects including a wooden sign with calligraphy, an antique iron, a decorative vase with Japanese characters, and informational signs, all inside a store with a window showing the street outside.
A Japanese altar with a central statue of a deity, adorned with hanging ornaments, flanked by floral arrangements of yellow, white, purple, and red flowers, and surrounded by traditional Japanese scroll paintings on the wall.
Display of traditional Japanese pottery and an iron tool inside a shop window, with a view of the street outside.
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