National Treasure
国 宝 一 覧Browse Japan’s National Treasures by prefecture, period, and type. Clear stories highlight what to look for at temples, shrines, castles, and museums—plus maps and travel tips.
The Horyuji Temple Sankyoin and West Dormitory, a National Treasure rebuilt in 1231, joins a house-like lecture hall and a monks' dormitory in one 19-bay building.
The Horyuji Temple Refectory and Hosodono, two National Treasure halls, pair a Nara-period refectory with a Kamakura front hall, preserving the old twin-hall form.
The Horyuji Temple Shoryoin Hall, a National Treasure of 1284, grew out of the East Dormitory to enshrine Prince Shotoku. Its shrine cabinet and house-like plan.
The Horyuji Temple Bell Tower, a mid-Heian National Treasure rebuilt after 925, is the only Heian two-level belfry left. How it differs from the repository opposite.
The Horyuji Temple Great Lecture Hall, a National Treasure rebuilt in 990 after a fire in 925, grew from 8 bays to 9. See its hidden roof frame and Yakushi Triad.
The Horyuji Temple Middle Gate, an Asuka National Treasure, has four bays and a post on its axis. Theories, Asuka brackets and clay guardians of 711, viewed free.
The Horyuji Temple Eastern Precinct Bell Tower, an early Kamakura National Treasure, is the oldest skirted belfry in Japan, with a Tenpyo bell said to be Chuguji's.
The Horyuji Temple Eastern Precinct Denpodo Hall, a National Treasure, is a Nara-period noble house rebuilt as a lecture hall, the only Nara residence left standing.
The Horyuji Temple Eastern Precinct Yumedono Hall, a Nara-period octagon on the site of Ikaruga Palace, houses the hidden Kuse Kannon. Its 1230 remodel and showings.
The Horyuji Temple Great East Gate, a Nara-period National Treasure between the two precincts, was moved from a south-facing site and keeps a three-ridge-beam roof.
The Horyuji Temple Great South Gate, a National Treasure rebuilt in 1438, ends the pine approach. Its history, flower brackets and contrast with the Great East Gate.
The Horyuji Temple East Dormitory, a Nara-period National Treasure, is a monks' residence whose southern end became the Shoryoin; two rooms show its original layout.
The three-storied pagoda of Hokkiji in Ikaruga, Nara, completed around 706 and related to Horyuji's pagoda, is the oldest surviving pagoda of its kind.
Muroji Temple Five-Storied Pagoda in Uda City, Nara, is about 16 metres tall, the smallest outdoor pagoda in Japan, with a vase on its finial in place of a flame.
Muroji Temple Golden Hall is an early Heian hall in Uda City, Nara. Its roof breaks where the worship bay rebuilt in 1672 meets the Heian core behind it.
Muroji Temple Main Hall (Kanjodo) in Uda City, Nara, was dedicated in 1308 for the esoteric kanjo rite, its inner sanctuary screened by doors and a slatted window.
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.
The 1283 main hall of Ryosenji in Nara, a National Treasure since 1953 and a fine Kamakura hall in the Japanese style, with ornate porch bracketing and cove boards.
An eighth-century box owned by Todaiji in Nara, a National Treasure since 1959, painted with flowers and birds and finished with clear oil in the yushoku technique.