National Treasure

A Kamakura tachi by Nagamitsu of Bizen Osafune at the Hayashibara Museum of Art, Okayama, a National Treasure since 1957, with its original tang and mounting.

A Kamakura tachi by Yoshifusa of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school at the Hayashibara Museum of Art, Okayama, a National Treasure since 1955.

An unsigned Kamakura tanto by Masamune at the Hayashibara Museum of Art, Okayama, a National Treasure since 1957, famed as Kuki Masamune.

The Heian statues and canopies above the three platforms holding the remains of the Fujiwara lords in the Golden Hall of Chusonji, Hiraizumi; a National Treasure since 2004.

The Konshi Kinji Issaikyō at Chūsonji Temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, is a National Treasure collection of 2,739 Buddhist sutra scrolls from the Heian period. Commissioned by the Ōshū Fujiwara clan, these luminous scrolls feature sacred texts in gold and silver ink on indigo paper, with exquisite frontispiece paintings unparalleled in Japanese calligraphic history. Discover the history, artistry, and visitor information for this extraordinary treasure at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hiraizumi.

Discover the Raden Hakkaku Shumidan, a National Treasure octagonal Buddhist altar platform at Chūson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate. Created in the late Heian period, this masterpiece features luminous mother-of-pearl inlay, hammered gilt-bronze kalavinka panels, and exquisite lacquerwork — a pinnacle of Ōshū Fujiwara Buddhist art.

Ten Heian scrolls at Chusonji, Hiraizumi, with sutra text written in gold as pagodas amid painted scenes, a National Treasure since 2001 and unique in style.

A Nara-period gilt bronze offering bowl incised with leaping lions at Gokokushiji, Gifu, a National Treasure since 1955.

A Kamakura tachi of the Aoe school at the Hikari Museum, Takayama, a National Treasure since 1955, given by Ashikaga Yoshiaki to the Shimazu of Satsuma.

The oldest copy, made in 1291, of Ennin's diary of his nine years in Tang China, a National Treasure since 1952, deposited at the Kyoto National Museum.

Zuiganji's 1609 kitchen and office hall in Matsushima, with a smoke-vented gable roof, Momoyama scroll carving and bold beams, joined to the main hall by a corridor.

Volume 10 of Sima Qian's Shiji, copied and annotated by Oe no Ieguni in 1073: Japan's oldest dated Shiji manuscript, now a National Treasure at Tohoku University.

A Heian copy of volume 25 of the Ruiju Kokushi, Sugawara no Michizane's classified history, once held by the Mibu family and now a National Treasure at Tohoku.

The early Kamakura worship hall of Ujigami Shrine in Uji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1952, residential in style and the oldest surviving worship hall.

The late Heian main hall of Ujigami Shrine in Uji, Kyoto, a National Treasure since 1952, three inner shrines under one roof and the oldest surviving shrine building.

The five-storied pagoda of Kaijusenji in Kizugawa, Kyoto, completed in 1214 and a National Treasure since 1952, with unique bracketing and a first-storey pent roof.

Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo Wake Ikazuchi Jinja), founded in 677 CE in northern Kyoto, is one of the city's most ancient sanctuaries. Home to two National Treasure halls and 41 Important Cultural Properties, its entire precinct is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover its iconic nagare-zukuri architecture, mystical sand cones, and the legendary Aoi Matsuri — over a millennium of living spiritual heritage.

Guest hall of 1605 at Kanchiin, a sub-temple of Toji in Kyoto: a National Treasure bridging medieval houses and the shoin style, with paintings by Musashi.

At 54.8 meters, Tō-ji's fifth pagoda, finished in 1644, is Japan's tallest wooden tower. Its wayō design, painted first story and 2026 opening dates explained.

Tō-ji's main hall, rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori in 1603, blends three architectural styles and houses Kōshō's Yakushi triad. History, design and how to visit.