This is the forth-largest national museum in Japan following the ones in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The concept of the museum is “capturing a formation of Japanese culture in the perspective of Asian history” and there are valuable exhibits depicting a blossoming of interaction with Asian countries since ancient times. The museum does not provide a guiding route, so you can start your own exhibition tour from any one you are interested in, and go back and forth between times and areas as you wish. On the 1st floor is a hands-on learning facility of free entrance named Ajippa. Here you can try wearing ethnic costumes and play with traditional instruments from Asian countries. Free back yard tour starting at 14:00 on Sundays is very popular. It gives you a rare experience of observing the back scene of a museum with guidance.