Built in 1937 as the first museum in Japan, its hon-kan(main building, Japanese Gallery) displays the best of Japanese art in chronological order from the Jomon era to the Edo period. Among the many masterpieces exhibited, burial mound figures, early Buddha statues, utensils for tea ceremony, as well as samurai swords and armor are displayed with explanations in English. Also one should not miss the Heisei – kan, where special exhibitions are held, and the Gallery of Horyu-ji Tresures.