National Treasures of Nara

The Lecture Hall of Toshodai-ji was moved from the Heijo Palace around 760 and is the only palace building still standing, now housing Nara and Kamakura sculptures.

Built in 1240 and called the Relic Hall, the Drum Tower of Toshodai-ji enshrines relics said to have come with Ganjin and hosts the May fan-scattering rite, Uchiwamaki.

The Golden Hall of Toshodai-ji is the only surviving temple main hall from Japan's Nara era, fronting three National Treasure Buddhas beneath a shibi-crowned tiled roof.

The Treasure House of Toshodai-ji is a Nara-period log storehouse built in the azekura method, standing beside the older Sutra Repository that predates the temple.

Todai-ji's Kaizan-dō, a National Treasure, honors founder Rōben. Its core rose in 1200 in the Daibutsu-yō style, and Rōben's portrait opens only on 16 December.

Discover Todai-ji Nigatsu-do, a National Treasure in Nara, Japan. This iconic hall hosts Omizutori (Shuni-e), an unbroken Buddhist ceremony since 752 CE. Enjoy panoramic views, free 24-hour access, and centuries of living tradition at this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Discover Hannya-ji Romon, a Kamakura-period National Treasure in Nara. This rare 13th-century two-storied gate blends wayō and daibutsuyō styles beside the famed Cosmos Temple.

Standing along the western edge of Hōryū-ji's Western Precinct, the National Treasure Sangyō-in and Nishimuro is a remarkable nineteen-bay Kamakura-period building uniting a residential-style Buddhist hall (Sangyō-in, rebuilt in 1231) with a working monks' dormitory (Nishimuro, rebuilt around 1268) under a single sweeping roof. Together with the Shōryō-in and Higashimuro across the courtyard, it preserves the essential form of the ancient three-sided dormitory layout. Each summer, the very Three Sutras for which the hall is named are still formally lectured upon within these walls during the geango retreat—a living continuation of Prince Shōtoku's scholarly legacy.

Quietly tucked behind Hōryū-ji's famous Five-Story Pagoda in Ikaruga, Nara, the National Treasure Jikidō (Refectory) and the Important Cultural Property Hosodono (Narrow Hall) preserve one of Japan's rarest surviving examples of Nara-period 'narabidō' twin-hall architecture. Originally built as a temple administrative office and converted into a monks' dining hall in the Heian period, these UNESCO World Heritage components display Tempyō-era craftsmanship in their bracket arms and double rainbow beams. This guide explains their history, architectural value, visiting tips, and nearby attractions.

Standing quietly beside Hōryū-ji's famous Western Precinct in Ikaruga, Nara, the Shōryōin is a National Treasure hall rebuilt in 1284 to enshrine Prince Shōtoku. Uniquely combining Buddhist temple architecture with the shinden-zukuri residential style of Heian-period aristocrats—complete with lattice shutters and an elegant gable-end facade—it remains a living center of devotion, animated each March by the O-eshiki memorial that has continued without interruption for nine centuries.

The Chūmon fronts Hōryū-ji's Western Precinct: an Asuka gate with a pillar on its central axis, flanked by entasis columns and Japan's oldest Niō, modeled in 711.

Rising within Horyuji Temple's eastern precinct in Ikaruga, Nara, the National Treasure Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) is an octagonal hall built around 739 by the monk Gyoshin Sozu to honor Prince Shotoku. Standing on the site of the prince's palace, it enshrines the hidden Kuse Kannon, a masterpiece of seventh-century Buddhist art, within a UNESCO World Heritage setting.

Discover Horyu-ji's East Gate (Todaimon), a National Treasure from the Nara period featuring rare mitsumune-zukuri triple-ridge architecture. This eight-legged gate connects the Western and Eastern precincts of the world's oldest wooden temple complex in Ikaruga, Nara.

The Nandaimon (South Great Gate) of Horyuji Temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, is a National Treasure eight-legged gate rebuilt in 1438 during the Muromachi period. Acclaimed as one of the finest surviving Muromachi-era structures in Japan, it features ornate bracket complexes, flower-shaped bearing blocks, and a dramatic upswept eave curvature. Registered as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area' in 1993, this majestic gate welcomes visitors into the precinct that houses the oldest surviving wooden buildings on Earth.

The Higashimuro (East Monks' Quarters) at Hōryū-ji Temple is a Nara-period monks' dormitory designated as a National Treasure of Japan. Standing east of the western cloister, this rare surviving example of ancient monastic residential architecture features simple yet refined construction, with foundation stones and pillars that may date back to the 7th-century founding of the temple. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area.'

The Three-Story Pagoda of Hokki-ji Temple in Ikaruga, Nara, completed in 706 AD, is the oldest surviving three-story pagoda in Japan. Designated as a National Treasure and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area,' this 24-meter-tall pagoda preserves rare Asuka-period architectural techniques and is celebrated for its stunning autumn views framed by cosmos flowers.

Yakushi-ji's East Precinct Hall, rebuilt in 1285, is a National Treasure that survived the 1528 fire with the East Pagoda and enshrines a famed bronze Kannon.

Built in 730, the East Pagoda is Yakushi-ji's only original building and the oldest in old Heijo-kyo, three stories under six roofs and a celestial finial.

Discover the National Treasure main hall of Ryōsen-ji Temple in Nara, a masterpiece of 13th-century wayō architecture. Explore Kamakura-era craftsmanship, hidden Buddhist statues, a world-class rose garden, and medicinal baths on the serene outskirts of Japan's ancient capital.

Discover the Kachō Saie Yushoku-bako, a stunning Nara-period wooden box designated as a National Treasure of Japan. Owned by Tōdai-ji in Nara, this 8th-century masterpiece features vivid paintings of phoenixes, parrots, and floral motifs created with the rare oil-color technique from Tang Dynasty China.