This museum has gorgeous landscape photos of familiar sights around Nara. I recommend going here after seeing Nara Park in person. You will recognize the buildings - and many pictures were taken in the 70s and 80s! The staff is super friendly and welcoming.
After visiting the former residence of Irie Taikichi, I continued my journey on knowing more on the photographer by paying a visit to his name sake photography gallery. The architecture itself is very special, with a large open pond and terrace field-like slopes. And the permanent exhibition is a powerful tool to display the great photographer’s love for the Yamato Road, or, simpler, Nara.
It is pretty far from the major sights and the exhibition is average. If you are on a rushed schedule, you can skip it.
Also has a lovely cafe.
Despite lack of clarity whether it would be open, we found this excellent photography gallery to be more than welcoming. Attended on a Friday afternoon in late March 2025
More about Nara City Museum of Photography from our blog