Saimyoji Temple Three-Story Pagoda

Discover the Saimyoji Three-Story Pagoda, a National Treasure in Shiga Prefecture's Koto Sanzan temple complex. This Kamakura-period masterpiece features exquisite cypress-bark roofing and rare polychrome Buddhist murals that have survived over 700 years.

Saimyoji Temple Main Hall

Explore the Saimyoji Main Hall, a Kamakura-period masterpiece and one of Japan's first National Treasures. Nestled in Shiga's Koto Sanzan mountains, this nail-free cypress temple offers ancient Buddhist art, stunning gardens, and spectacular autumn foliage.

Jorakuji Temple Three-Story Pagoda

Discover the Jorakuji Three-Story Pagoda, a National Treasure built in 1400 in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture. Explore this masterpiece of Muromachi-period pure Japanese-style architecture, part of the Konan Sanzan temple trio near Lake Biwa.

Jorakuji Temple Main Hall

The Main Hall of Jorakuji Temple in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture, is a National Treasure rebuilt in 1360. This magnificent Nanbokucho-period structure houses Important Cultural Property statues including the Thousand-Armed Kannon and Twenty-Eight Guardian Deities, alongside a National Treasure three-story pagoda amid spectacular autumn foliage.

Zensui-Ji Temple Main Hall

Discover the National Treasure main hall of Zensuiji Temple in Konan, Shiga Prefecture. This 14th-century Tendai Buddhist temple houses over 30 Buddhist statues, sacred healing water, and stunning autumn foliage as part of the Konan Sanzan temple trio.

Chojuji Temple Main Hall

Discover Chojuji Temple's National Treasure Main Hall in Konan, Shiga. This early Kamakura-period masterpiece of pure Japanese (wayo) architecture features a rare dual-hall structure and cypress bark roof. One of the Konan Sanzan temple trio, it offers serene beauty amid stunning seasonal foliage.

Tsukufusuma Shrine Main Hall

Discover the National Treasure main hall of Tsukubusuma Shrine on Chikubu Island in Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture. Relocated from Fushimi Castle, this architectural masterpiece showcases exquisite Momoyama-period art including gold maki-e lacquerwork, Kano school paintings, and ornate metalwork.

Naemura Shrine West Main Hall

The West Main Hall (Nishi Honden) of Namura Shrine in Ryūō, Shiga Prefecture, is a National Treasure of Japan rebuilt in 1308 during the late Kamakura period. This three-bay nagare-zukuri shrine with cypress bark roofing features exquisite frog-leg bracket carvings and a distinctive diamond-lattice front chamber. Explore the shrine grounds filled with Important Cultural Properties including the Rōmon Gate, East Main Hall, and a dynamic Fudō Myō-ō statue, along with access details and festival information.

Hogonji Temple

Standing on Chikubushima Island in northern Lake Biwa, Hogonji Temple houses a National Treasure gate — the sole surviving structure from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Osaka Castle — along with the oldest of Japan's Three Great Benzaiten sanctuaries and the 30th station on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. Accessible only by ferry, this sacred island offers a journey through 1,300 years of faith, Momoyama-period architectural splendor, and breathtaking lake scenery.

Mikami Shrine Main Hall

The Main Hall of Mikami Shrine in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, is a National Treasure built in the late Kamakura period at the foot of Mt. Mikami, known as Ōmi Fuji. Featuring the unique Mikami-zukuri architectural style found nowhere else in Japan, this 700-year-old masterpiece stands alongside Important Cultural Property buildings within the shrine grounds. The annual Zuiki Matsuri harvest festival is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Shichijo Sashino Kesa

Discover the Shichijō Shinō Kesa, a rare Tang dynasty hemp kesa designated as a National Treasure of Japan. Brought from China by the monk Saichō over 1,200 years ago, this sacred Buddhist vestment is preserved at Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Remaining Volumes of the Record of Grain Supply and

Discover the Ecchū no Kuni Kansō Nōkoku Kōtaiki Zankan, a National Treasure scroll at Ishiyama-dera Temple in Shiga Prefecture. This rare Nara-period document records grain storage transfers in ancient Etchū Province, offering a unique window into Japan's 8th-century governance system.

Colored Copy of the Daikyo Kantoku Map on Silk

Discover the Ryōbu Daikyō Kantoku-zu, a National Treasure silk painting from 1136 housed at Fujita Museum in Osaka. This Heian-period masterpiece depicts the legendary stories of how two sacred esoteric Buddhist sutras were obtained in India.

Fukiji Temple Great Hall

Fukiji Ōdō, located on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Bungo-Takada, Oita Prefecture, is the oldest surviving wooden structure in Kyushu and a designated National Treasure of Japan. Ranked alongside Byōdō-in's Phoenix Hall and Chūson-ji's Golden Hall as one of Japan's Three Great Amida Halls, this late Heian-period masterpiece preserves extraordinary wall paintings depicting the Pure Land paradise and an Important Cultural Property statue of Amida Buddha.

Daihoji Temple Three-Story Pagoda

Discover the Daihoji Three-Storied Pagoda, a National Treasure built in 1333 in Aoki Village, Nagano. Known as the "Looking Back Pagoda" for its breathtaking beauty, this pure Japanese-style masterpiece stands among the finest pagodas in eastern Japan.

Nishina Shinmei Shrine

Discover Nishina Shinmeigu in Omachi, Nagano — the only surviving medieval Shinmei-zukuri shrine in Japan. Designated a National Treasure, this sacred site preserves centuries of Shikinen Sengu tradition amid the stunning Japanese Alps.

Former Togu Palace (Akasaka Palace State Guest House)

Discover the State Guest House Akasaka Palace, Japan's sole Neo-Baroque palace and first modern National Treasure. Explore its stunning Meiji-era architecture, lavish state rooms with cloisonné art, and beautiful gardens in central Tokyo.

Stone-Style Yuran No. 5

Discover Jieshi Diao Youlan Daiwo, the world's oldest complete instrumental music manuscript. This 7th-century guqin tablature, designated a National Treasure of Japan, is preserved at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, Tokyo.

Fifteenth Song Match (Saibai)

Discover the Jūgoban Uta-awase (Saisen), a National Treasure calligraphy scroll from the Heian period. Compiled by Fujiwara no Kintō, this exquisite poetry anthology features gold and silver decorated paper (saisen) and is preserved by the Maeda Ikutokukai Foundation in Tokyo.

Tachi Sword (inscribed "Yasutsuna" (famous Dojigiri

Discover Dōjigiri Yasutsuna, one of Japan's Five Greatest Swords Under Heaven. This Heian-period National Treasure at the Tokyo National Museum is famed for its legend of slaying the demon Shuten-dōji. Learn its history, artistry, and how to visit.