Special Exhibition: Paradise on Earth - Hangzhou and the Wuyue Kingdom
特別展 地上の天堂（パラダイス） 杭州と呉越国（ごえつこく）――渡海する信仰と美
Hangzhou's beauty and faith cross the sea: 77 works trace Wuyue Buddhism and East Asian cultures in a Special Exhibition at Yamato Bunka Kan, Nara
Schedule
October 24, 2026 – December 6, 2026
As the saying goes, "Tian you tiantang, di you Su Hang" (just as heaven has paradise, earth has Suzhou and Hangzhou).
Highlights
Venue
About Special Exhibition: Paradise on Earth - Hangzhou and the Wuyue Kingdom
- Tracing the faith and beauty of Hangzhou and Wuyue: West Lake Painting (Important Cultural Property; first half), Yue ware shards, Qian Hongchu 84,000 Pagodas, Zongjing lu (National Treasure; second half), Rokudo-e (Important Cultural Property; first half), and more trace the cultures of East Asia that came and went via Hangzhou. 77 works are exhibited.
- Changes between the first and second halves: Some displays change between the first half (October 24 - November 15) and the second half (November 17 - December 6). Zongjing lu is shown in the second half, and the West Lake Painting and Rokudo-e in the first half.
- Events during the exhibition: A symposium (November 1), the Sunday Art Lecture (November 15), a lecture (November 29), and a gallery talk every Saturday from 2:00 p.m. Participation is free, but the admission fee is required.
- Free Invitation Day: October 30 (Friday) is Yamato Bunka Kan's opening anniversary, "Free Invitation Day."
Weather forecast
Sat
10/24
23°/18°
100%
Sun
10/25
24°/19°
99%
Mon
10/26
20°/18°
80%
Tue
10/27
22°/15°
73%
Wed
10/28
16°/9°
2%
Thu
10/29
16°/6°
6%
Fri
10/30
21°/12°
37%
Tips
Closed days and admission hours
Closed on Mondays, except November 23 (a national holiday), when the museum is open; it is closed the following day, the 24th (Tuesday). Opening hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and last admission is at 4:30 p.m.
Changes in display
The first half is October 24 - November 15, and the second half is November 17 - December 6. Zongjing lu is shown in the second half, and the West Lake Painting and Rokudo-e in the first half.
Admission fees and discounts
General 1,100 yen, high school and university students 770 yen, and junior high school students and younger are free. Groups of 20 or more receive a 20% discount on the corresponding fee, and one group leader is free. Holders of a "disability certificate" and one companion receive a 20% discount.
Event registration
The lecture (November 29) and the Sunday Art Lecture (November 15) are first-come on the day, with 100 places each, and advance registration is not required. The symposium (November 1) has a capacity of 120 people and requires advance registration. Participation in all of these is free, but the admission fee is required.
Find stays & activities
Explore this event
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