National Treasures of Nara

Nara-period silver bowls and crystal beads buried beneath the Kondo of Kofukuji, Nara, found in 1884, a National Treasure since 1958.

Discover the Seven-Branched Sword (Shichishitō), a unique National Treasure from the 4th century preserved at Isonokami Shrine in Tenri, Nara. Learn about its gold-inlaid inscription, the Baekje-Japan diplomatic connection, and how to visit this ancient sacred site.

Nara-period objects found around the Great Buddha's pedestal at Todaiji during repairs in 1907 and 1908, a National Treasure since 1957.

A Buddha's footprint stone dated 753 at Yakushiji, Nara, a National Treasure since 1952, with footprints incised on top and inscriptions on all four sides.

The Bussokuseki-kahi, a National Treasure enshrined in the Lecture Hall of Yakushi-ji Temple in Nara, is one of Japan's oldest surviving poetry steles, dating to around 770 CE. Bearing 21 poems written in man'yōgana script praising the Buddha's sacred footprints, it preserves an authentic record of Nara-period faith and the earliest Japanese writing. Together with Japan's oldest Buddha Footprint Stone, it offers a profound connection to the history of Buddhism's transmission across Asia.

Four scrolls of the Kunoji Sutra, a decorated Lotus Sutra copied by the circle of Retired Emperor Toba, a National Treasure since 2017 and the oldest such set.

A National Treasure of Japan, the Ichiji Rendai Hokekyō (Fugen Kanpotsuhon) is a dazzling late Heian decorated sutra in which each written character is enthroned on a painted lotus pedestal and encircled by a golden halo. The gold- and silver-strewn paper and the yamato-e frontispiece depicting a Heian memorial rite make it one of Japan's finest sōshokukyō. It is preserved at the Museum Yamato Bunkakan in Nara.

A herdboy rides his ox home through falling snow in Li Di's Returning Herd in Snow, a Southern Song National Treasure kept at Nara's Yamato Bunkakan museum.

The Matsura Screens, a National Treasure pair of gold-leaf screens, show 18 life-size Edo courtesans. See the 22 kimono and rosary at Nara's Yamato Bunkakan.

Housed at the Nara National Museum, the Gyūhi Keman are a set of thirteen fan-shaped Buddhist pendant garlands of ox-hide, cut in openwork and painted on both faces with kalavinka and hōsōge arabesques. Originally preserved at Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto, they date to the 11th century and are the oldest surviving leather keman of this form in Japan.

The 3,184 wooden tablets (mokkan) excavated from the Heijō Palace Site in Nara were designated a National Treasure in 2017—the first time in history wooden tablets received this honor. These contemporary primary sources reveal the daily administration and life of 8th-century Japan in ways no compiled history ever could, now accessible at the Heijō Palace Site Museum within the UNESCO World Heritage area.

Three matching Kasuga-style halls at Uda Mikumari Shrine, Nara, the first dated 1320 by its ridge beam, with carved struts on every face and a reworked Second Hall.

The Octagonal Hall of Eizanji in Gojo, Nara, built around 760 to 764 by Fujiwara no Nakamaro for his father, is a National Treasure and a rare Nara-period octagon.

Twin guardian shrine halls beside the main hall of Enjoji in Nara's hills: the oldest known Kasuga-zukuri buildings, and a National Treasure since 1953.

The miniature five-storied pagoda of Kairyuoji in Nara, from the Tenpyo era, is a 4-metre National Treasure in the early Nara style of Yakushiji's East Pagoda.

A 5.5-meter wooden pagoda from the late Nara period, built inside like a real tower with mitesaki brackets and equal bays, now shown in Gangoji's Horinkan museum.

The Zen Room at Gangoji is an early Kamakura dormitory rebuilt with Nara-period timber. Learn to read its door-and-window facade, its windows and its old tiles.

Gangoji's Main Hall in Nara was rebuilt in 1244 from part of a Nara-period dormitory. See its east-facing gable, nenbutsu records carved in 1171 and ancient tiles.

The Niomon Gate of Kinpusenji in Yoshino, Nara, built in 1456, is a National Treasure and a leading example of the rare medieval gate with two full roofs.

The Zaodo, main hall of Kinpusenji in Yoshino, Nara, rebuilt after a fire of 1586 and largely done by 1591, is a National Treasure among Japan's largest halls.

Nara’s registered properties across designations, with featured heritage and travel notes.

The complete kokuhō catalogue — browse by prefecture, period, and category.

Nationwide jūyō bunkazai — architecture, sculpture, painting, crafts, and documents.