Honganji Karamon Gate

Discover the Karamon Gate at Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto—a National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece adorned with vivid Momoyama-era polychrome carvings so mesmerizing it earned the nickname "Higurashi-no-Mon," the gate you could admire all day long.

Honganji Temple North Noh Stage

Discover the Kita Noh Stage at Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto — a National Treasure dating from 1581 and the oldest surviving Noh stage in Japan. Learn about its Azuchi-Momoyama architecture, unique pre-standardization design, and how to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Honganji Temple Goei-Do Hall

The Honganji Goeidō (Founder's Hall) at Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto is a National Treasure rebuilt in 1636. Measuring 62m × 48m with a height of 29m, it ranks among the largest surviving Edo-period wooden structures in Japan. With its 441-tatami outer hall, golden inner sanctuary, and advanced early 17th-century construction techniques, the hall stands as the crowning achievement of Jōdo Shinshū temple architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Honganji Shoin (Aiden Hall and White Shoin)

Discover the Honganji Shoin at Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto — a National Treasure and masterpiece of Momoyama-period shoin-zukuri architecture. Explore the magnificent 203-tatami Taimensho, resplendent gold-leaf screen paintings by Watanabe Ryokei, intricately carved transoms, and the celebrated Kokei dry landscape garden.

Myoki-an Study and Tea House (Machi-An)

Discover Tai-an at Myōkian temple in Ōyamazaki, Kyoto — one of only three National Treasure tea rooms in Japan and the sole surviving tea room attributed to legendary tea master Sen no Rikyū. Learn about its history, wabi-cha aesthetics, and how to visit.

Myoho-in Temple Priests' Quarters

The Kuri of Myohoin Temple in Kyoto's Higashiyama district is one of Japan's largest temple kitchen buildings, constructed around 1595 during the Momoyama period. Designated a National Treasure, this monumental structure is said to have been used to prepare meals for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's grand Thousand Monks Memorial Ceremony. It is renowned for its rare hipped-and-gabled roof and spectacular soot-blackened timber framework, standing as a symbol of the prestigious Tendai monzeki temple that still administers Sanjusangendo today.

Ryugin-an Hojo

Discover Ryogin-an Hojo, a National Treasure at Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto. Built in 1387, this is the oldest existing hojo architecture in Japan, blending shinden-zukuri and shoin-zukuri styles with three stunning dry landscape gardens by Mirei Shigemori.

Ryukouin Shoin

Discover Ryōkōin Shoin, a National Treasure study hall within Kyoto's Daitoku-ji Temple complex, home to the legendary Mittan tea room by Kobori Enshū and one of only three Yōhen Tenmoku tea bowls in existence.

Rengeoin Temple Main Hall (Sanjusangendo)

Discover Sanjusangendo, Kyoto's extraordinary National Treasure featuring 1,001 Kannon statues in Japan's longest wooden hall. Learn about its history, cultural significance, visiting tips, and nearby attractions.

Illustrated Biography of the Kegon Sect's Founder, Colored

Discover the Kegon Engi Emaki, a National Treasure at Kōzan-ji Temple in Kyoto. These 13th-century illustrated handscrolls depict the legendary Korean founders of Kegon Buddhism and feature Japan's earliest speech-bubble-like dialogue—a forerunner of manga storytelling.

Ishinpo (1st, 5th, 7th/9th, 10th Remaining Volumes)

Explore the Ishinpō (Volumes 1, 5, 7, 9 & 10 fragments) at Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto — Japan's oldest medical encyclopedia compiled in 984 CE. Learn about this National Treasure's history, significance, and how to see it at the UNESCO World Heritage temple.

Ido Tea Bowl (named Kizaemon)

Discover the Kizaemon Ido, a humble Korean rice bowl that became the most celebrated tea bowl in Japanese history. Learn about its fascinating provenance, the legend of the curse, and where to see this National Treasure.

Poetry Contest (Volume 6 (10 Volumes))

Discover the National Treasure Uta-awase (Volume 6, Ten-Volume Edition) at Kyoto's Yōmei Bunko — Japan's oldest anthology of poetry contest records, planned by regent Fujiwara no Yorimichi. This Heian-period masterpiece features exquisite kana calligraphy and preserves 170 years of courtly poetry traditions. Learn about its cultural significance, how to visit, and nearby heritage sites.

Side Covering

Discover the Ōhi, a rare National Treasure Buddhist shoulder cloth from Tang-dynasty China, brought to Japan by the monk Kūkai. Deposited at the Kyoto National Museum, this exquisite textile reveals over 1,200 years of Shingon Buddhist history.

Omuro Soshoki

Discover the Omuro Sōshōki, a National Treasure housed at UNESCO World Heritage Site Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto. This six-scroll Kamakura-period manuscript chronicles the Buddhist ceremonies and achievements of the imperial abbots who led one of Japan's most prestigious monzeki temples.

Kaifu Makie Kesa Box

The Kaifu Makie Kesa-bako, a National Treasure held by Tō-ji temple in Kyoto, is a masterpiece of Heian-period togidashi makie lacquerwork. Created to store a Buddhist vestment linked to the monk Kūkai, the box features gold and silver sea motifs and ranks among the oldest surviving examples of Japanese makie art.

Kagura Wakoto Secret Music

Discover the Kagura Wagon Hifu, a National Treasure scroll from the Heian period preserving Japan's oldest sacred kagura songs with wagon zither notation, held at the Yomei Bunko in Kyoto.

Emperor Kameyama Shinkan Zenrin Ji Temple's Petition (March

Discover the National Treasure handscroll penned by Emperor Kameyama in 1299, articulating his founding vision for Zenrin-ji Temple—now Nanzen-ji, the highest-ranking Zen temple in Japan. Explore the document's historical significance, the emperor's story, and the magnificent temple complex in Kyoto's Higashiyama district.

Confession Name (written by Kobo Daishi)

Discover Kanjō Rekimei, a National Treasure handwritten by Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), one of Japan's greatest calligraphers. This rare 9th-century document at Jingo-ji Temple records the historic first esoteric Buddhist initiation ceremonies in Japan, with Saichō's name at the top.

Commentary on the Sutra of Contemplation of the Buddha of

The National Treasure Kanmuryōjukyō Chū, preserved at Nishi Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto, is a Kamakura-period handscroll in which Shinran, the founder of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism, copied the Contemplation Sutra and filled every margin with meticulous annotations from commentaries by the Chinese master Shan-tao. Discovered in 1943, this rare autograph manuscript offers an extraordinary glimpse into the young founder's rigorous scriptural study and spiritual development.