Nara

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 the Gilt-Bronze Cinerary Container of Ina no Ōmura, a Japanese National Treasure from 707 CE. This golden spherical ossuary with a 391-character epitaph reveals the life of an Asuka-period aristocrat and Japan's earliest cremation practices.

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.

Explore the 7th-century Sūfukuji Temple reliquary treasures at Kyoto National Museum - nested gold and silver containers with Buddha's relics that reveal Emperor Tenji's lost capital and early Japanese Buddhism's international connections.

Discover the gilt-bronze epitaph of Ishikawa no Toshitari, a National Treasure of Japan dating to 762 CE. This exquisite Nara period funerary inscription reveals the life of a Soga clan nobleman and offers rare insight into ancient Japanese burial customs.

Discover the Bronze Epitaph of Funashi Ōgo, Japan's oldest dated epitaph (668 CE). This National Treasure reveals the life of an immigrant official who served three emperors. Learn about its historical significance, where to see it at Mitsui Memorial Museum, and explore the ancient burial site in Kashiwara, Osaka.

Discover the 715 CE bronze fukubachi from Awahara Temple, a Japanese National Treasure preserving the precise founding story of an 8th-century Buddhist temple. This remarkable artifact with its 15-line inscription offers visitors insights into early Japanese Buddhism, imperial patronage, and Nara period craftsmanship.

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 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.

Discover the National Treasure artifacts from the tomb of Fumi no Nemaro, a 7th-century warrior hero of the Jinshin War. This collection at Tokyo National Museum features Japan's oldest dated epitaph, a rare green glass cinerary urn, and gilt-bronze vessels—offering a glimpse into ancient Buddhist burial traditions and immigrant clan culture.