As an organization that comprises Japan's national museums and research centers for cultural properties, the NICH strives to pass on to future generations tangible cultural properties that are valuable national assets through the collection, preservation, and exhibition of those cultural properties. It also plays a central role in specialized or technical research concerning tangible and intangible cultural properties.
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The National Institutes for Cultural Heritage (NICH) runs eight institutions, each with their own unique characteristics. These include five museums (Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto National Museum, Nara National Museum and Kyushu National Museum), The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan, two research institutes (Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties and Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties), and the International Research Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region.
e-Museum
The e-Museum website provides high-definition images of the National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties owned by the NICH, together with their descriptions in multiple languages (Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean).
ColBase
This database allows users to search the collections owned by NICH.
Donation Portal Site
Your support will help our Museums and Institutes. Various kinds of Donations and Memberships of NICH are on this Donation Portal Site.
Facilities
National Museum
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Tokyo National Museum
As Japan’s representative museum, Tokyo National Museum collects, preserves, displays, and researches the cultural properties of Asia with a focus on Japan, and also provides educational programs.
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Kyoto National Museum
Kyoto National Museum collects, preserves, displays, researches and provides educational programs focusing on cultural properties from Heian- through to Edo- period Japan, when the capital was located there.
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Nara National Museum
Nara National Museum collects, preserves, displays, researches and provides educational programs about cultural properties with a focus on Buddhist art.
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Kyushu National Museum
Kyushu National Museum explores the formation of Japanese culture through the history of Japan’s exchange with other Asian nations through Kyushu. It collects, preserves, displays, researches and provides educational programs about cultural properties in this context.
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The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan
The Museum is committed to communicating the Imperial Household’s cultural significance to people from all walks of life while also preserving its cultural masterpieces for future generations.
National Research Institute and Center
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Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties
The Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties conducts research in various areas related to cultural properties, from fundamental investigation to scientific research utilizing a wide variety of methods including cutting-edge technologies. In addition to publicizing and utilizing the results of research, it also serves as a center for international cooperation in the conservation and restoration of cultural properties.
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Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties
The Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties is engaged in the research about the Nara and Fujiwara-Asuka Palace sites, the buildings, and the historical documents, in addition to the conservation and utilization of them.
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International Research Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region
The International Research Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region conducts fundamental research related to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage inthe Asia-Pacific region.
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National Center for the Promotion of Cultural Properties
The CPCP is committed to providing opportunities for all members of society to have enriching and educational experiences while interacting with Japanese cultural treasures.
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Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management Center
The Cultural Heritage Disaster Risk Management Center, Japan, aims to develop and enhance institutional systems that deal with disaster risk and response for the nation’s numerous and varied cultural properties.