The Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (奈良文化財研究所, Nara Bunkazai Kenkyū-jo), also known by its former name, the Nara Research Institute for Cultural Properties, is one of two research institutes that comprise the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, an independent administrative institution created in 2001. Established in April 1952 as part of the National Commission for Protection of Cultural Properties,A the institute is located in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan, with branches elsewhere in Nara Prefecture. The institute is divided into departments for the excavation and restoration of the Asuka Palace, the Fujiwara Palace, and the Heijō Palace, historical remains, gardens, and other archaeological sites, and for the study of documents from Japan's early history. The Asuka Historical Museum is also managed by the institute.
1952 -- The Institute was established under the National Commission for Protection of Cultural Properties1968 -- The institute moved to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese Ministry of Education2001 -- Independent Administrative Institution National Research Institute for Cultural Properties is created by merger of the Tokyo Research Institute for Cultural Properties, and the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Nara.2007 -- Independent Administrative Institution National Institutes for Cultural Heritage is established by merging two Independent Administrative Institutions -- the Independent Administrative Institution National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, which had been created in 2001; plus the Independent Administrative Institution National Museum (the IAI National Museum), also created in 2001. The IAI National Museum had been created by merging the Tokyo National Museum, the Kyoto National Museum, the Nara National Museum in 2001; and the Kyushu National Museum had been incorporated into the organization in 2005.Department of Planning and CoordinationPlanning and Coordination SectionData and Information Cooperation SectionInternational Cooperation SectionExhibition SectionPhotography SectionDepartment of Cultural HeritageHistorical Document SectionArchitectural History SectionCultural Landscape SectionSite Stabilization SectionDepartment of Imperial Palace Sites InvestigationsArchaeology Section 1Archaeology Section 2Archaeology Section 3History SectionArchitectural Feature SectionCenter for Archaeological OperationsConservation Science SectionEnvironmental Archaeology SectionDating SectionArchaeological Research Methodology SectionAsuka Historical Museum (Asuka, Nara Prefecture)Curatorial SectionAffairs SectionThe Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties is located in close proximity to the Yamato-Saidaiji Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line, Kyoto Line, and Kashihara Line.
A.
^ The home page of the Institute dates its establishment to April 1952; other sources list 1972.
