Nara

Explore the magnificent Sea Beast and Grape Mirror (Kaiju Budo Kyo), Japan's only nationally designated craft treasure in Chiba. This 7th-8th century Tang dynasty bronze mirror at Katori Shrine showcases exquisite ancient artistry and cultural exchange.

The National Treasure Nukatadera Garan narabini Jōrizu, held by the National Museum of Japanese History in Sakura, Chiba, is a rare large-scale map painted in the late Nara period (8th century) on four joined panels of hemp cloth. Depicting the jōri land-grid of Heguri District in Yamato Province and the detailed precinct of Nukatadera at its lower center, the map is an irreplaceable primary source on ancient Japanese land administration and Buddhist architecture.

A National Treasure near Tokyo: a Southern Song printing of the Hanshu in 61 fascicles, holding the earliest reliable Chinese record of Japan, the Wa people.

A complete Southern Song printing of the Book of the Later Han, kept in Sakura, whose account of the eastern peoples names Queen Himiko and an embassy of 57 CE.

A National Treasure near Tokyo: the Song-dynasty Shiji printed by Huang Shanfu, the oldest complete copy of the three-commentary edition, all 130 chapters intact.