National Treasure

What a National Treasure is

A National Treasure is a work of tangible cultural property that the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has designated as being of outstanding value in world culture and irreplaceable to the nation. The designation rests on Article 27, paragraph 2 of the Act on Protection of Cultural Properties.

The system works in two steps. An item is first designated an Important Cultural Property, and only from that pool are National Treasures chosen. Every National Treasure is therefore also an Important Cultural Property, and the published totals reflect this: as of 1 August 2026 there were 1,149 National Treasures within a total of 13,558 Important Cultural Properties. Reading the smaller figure as a separate category would double-count.

Only tangible property qualifies. There is no National Treasure tier for intangible arts or for monuments and natural sites. Administration splits into two streams: 233 designations covering 303 structures on the architecture side, and 916 designations of fine arts and crafts, made up of 167 paintings, 142 sculptures, 254 craft works, 236 works of calligraphy and books, 63 historical documents, 51 archaeological items and three historical materials.

Designation takes effect on the day it appears in the official gazette, and the owner receives a certificate recording the name, the Insū or recorded quantity, the date, and either the structure and form for a building or the dimensions and materials for anything else.

How it differs from ordinary designation

The state intervenes more firmly for National Treasures than for other Important Cultural Properties. When damage occurs, the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs may order the owner of a National Treasure to carry out repairs, whereas for other Important Cultural Properties the Commissioner may only recommend them. If an order is ignored, or if leaving the work to the owner is judged unsuitable, the Commissioner may carry out repairs or theft-prevention measures directly. That power applies to National Treasures alone.

Other obligations are shared across both tiers. Any change to the current state requires permission from the Commissioner, export is prohibited except by special permission, and changes of ownership or any loss or damage must be reported.

Designation says nothing about access. Public display is the owner's responsibility, and conservation limits how long fragile paintings, textiles and documents can stay on view, so museum rotations are common. Some designated buildings are seen only from outside. Checking with the owner or custodian before travelling is the reliable approach.