Culture Talk

Shosoin exhibition guide for people who mostly came for the deer

I'm a mechanic, my interest in ancient lacquer is low, my interest in deer is high. But I read the GONOM post on the 78th Shosoin exhibition and it's honestly useful, so here's the practical bit in plain language.

When: October 24 to November 9, Nara National Museum, East and West New Wings.

Tickets: timed entry, buy before you arrive. Hours 8am to 6pm, until 8pm on Fridays, weekends and holidays. Last entry is one hour before closing.

Getting there: Kintetsu Nara Station is closer than JR Nara. Choose wisely, your feet will thank you.

What's inside: 60 objects, 11 shown publicly for the first time. There's a Persian-style lacquered ewer and red ivory go pieces.

Deer rules: only the official crackers. Do not offer them your sandwich. They will accept your sandwich. That is the problem.