Asuka

Discover the Shichiseiken, a 1,400-year-old National Treasure sword with Big Dipper gold inlay, originally owned by Prince Shotoku. Learn about this sacred blade housed at Tokyo National Museum and its connection to Shitennoji Temple in Osaka.

Discover the $11 million Yuteki Tenmoku tea bowl at Osaka's Museum of Oriental Ceramics. This 12th-century Song Dynasty masterpiece features mesmerizing oil-spot patterns and stands as Japan's only National Treasure-designated Yuteki Tenmoku. Complete visitor guide included.

Experience one of only three surviving Yohen Tenmoku tea bowls in the world at Osaka's Fujita Museum. This 12th-century National Treasure displays mysterious cosmic patterns that modern science cannot reproduce, valued at 1.7 billion yen.

Discover Shinso Senjimon, a National Treasure of Japan. This masterpiece by Zhiyong, a descendant of Wang Xizhi, showcases 1,000 characters in both regular and cursive scripts. Learn about its history, significance, and how to view this Tang Dynasty treasure.

Discover the Kinjū Budō Kyō, a Tang Dynasty bronze mirror designated as a National Treasure of Japan. Housed at Oyamazumi Shrine on Omishima Island along the Shimanami Kaido, this exquisite masterpiece showcases the cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road.

Discover the National Treasure "Sixteen Arhats" paintings at Seiryoji Temple in Kyoto. These rare Northern Song Chinese Buddhist paintings are the only surviving Chinese examples in Japan and among the oldest arhat paintings in the world.

Discover the National Treasure "Portrait of Wuzhun Shifan" at Tofuku-ji Temple in Kyoto. A masterpiece of Southern Song Dynasty chinso portraiture from 1238 that embodies the spiritual bond between Zen master and disciple across China and Japan.

Discover the Kongōjō Darani-kyō, Japan's oldest surviving handwritten sutra, designated as a National Treasure. This 7th-century Buddhist manuscript from the Asuka period reveals the dawn of Japanese writing culture and calligraphic artistry.

Discover the Taihi Tenmoku tea bowl, a National Treasure from 12th-13th century China housed at Shokoku-ji Temple in Kyoto. Learn about its unique tortoiseshell glaze pattern, historical significance in Japanese tea ceremony, and how to visit this masterpiece of Song Dynasty ceramics.

Discover Meihoki, a 7th century Chinese Buddhist manuscript preserved as a National Treasure at Kyoto's Kosanji Temple. This rare collection of karmic tales survived only in Japan, offering unique insights into Tang Dynasty Buddhism.

Discover the mystical Yohen Tenmoku tea bowl at Rikkoin Temple, one of only three surviving examples in the world. Learn about this 800-year-old treasure's cosmic patterns, its connection to tea ceremony culture, and viewing opportunities in Kyoto.

Discover the Sōranjō (Mourning Disorder Letter), a National Treasure of Japan preserving the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi, the greatest calligrapher in Chinese history. Learn about this Tang Dynasty masterpiece at the Museum of the Imperial Collections, Tokyo.

Explore the magnificent gilt bronze khakkhara head at Zentsuji Temple in Kagawa, Japan. This 8th-century Tang Dynasty masterpiece, designated as a National Treasure, showcases exquisite metalwork and Buddhist iconography. Learn about its connection to Kobo Daishi and experience the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism.

Explore the National Treasure "Summer Mountain Landscape," a 12th-century Song Dynasty masterpiece housed at Tokyo National Museum. Learn about its journey from Imperial China to Mt. Minobu's Kuon-ji Temple, and discover the spiritual beauty of this UNESCO-worthy destination in Yamanashi, Japan.

Explore Japan's National Treasure Rokusoenen-den, an 803 CE Tang Dynasty manuscript at Enryaku-ji Temple. Learn about Huineng's revolutionary Zen teachings and plan your visit to Mount Hiei's UNESCO World Heritage site.

Explore the magnificent Sea Beast and Grape Mirror (Kaiju Budo Kyo), Japan's only nationally designated craft treasure in Chiba. This 7th-8th century Tang dynasty bronze mirror at Katori Shrine showcases exquisite ancient artistry and cultural exchange.

Experience Tokyo's only National Treasure Buddhist statue at Jindaiji Temple. This 7th-century bronze Buddha, traditional soba cuisine, and seasonal festivals await just 30 minutes from central Tokyo.

Discover the mystical beauty of Yohen Tenmoku tea bowl (Inaba Tenmoku) at Seikado Bunko Art Museum in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Experience this 12th century National Treasure with its celestial blue iridescence and explore the sophisticated culture of Japanese tea ceremony.

Explore Kitora Tomb's 1,300-year-old National Treasure murals featuring the world's oldest complete astronomical chart and East Asia's only intact Four Divine Beasts paintings. Free admission, cutting-edge preservation technology, and bicycle-friendly Asuka Village await international visitors seeking Japan's ancient cultural connections.

Discover the Nasu Kokuzō Monument (700 CE), Japan's oldest national treasure stone inscription at Kasaishi Shrine in Tochigi. This ancient monument reveals the political transformation during Japan's Ritsuryo period and stands as one of Japan's Three Ancient Monuments.