National Treasures in Japan

National Treasures in Japan refer to designated cultural properties, including buildings, sculptures, paintings, calligraphic works, archaeological materials, and other artifacts that are considered to have exceptional cultural and historical significance to the country. In Japan, there are currently around 1,700 National Treasures, each of which offers a unique and fascinating glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage.

Exhibition

Kukai and the Treasures of Shingon Buddhism

Tokyo National Museum marks the 1,250th anniversary of Kukai's birth with 88 Shingon temple treasures, including 15 National Treasures and nine secret statues.

14 Jul – 6 Sep 2026Tokyo · Kanto

Exhibition

National Treasures Reborn: High-Fidelity Reproductions Weaving Dreams of Beauty.

Exhibition of twenty-eight high-fidelity reproductions of Japanese national treasures created through advanced imaging and traditional Kyoto craftsmanship.

17 Jul – 23 Sep 2026Oita · Kyushu

National Treasures in Japan refer to designated cultural properties, including buildings, sculptures, paintings, calligraphic works, archaeological materials, and other artifacts that are considered to have exceptional cultural and historical significance to the country. In Japan, there are currently around 1,700 National Treasures, each of which offers a unique and fascinating glimpse into the country's rich cultural heritage.

Exhibition

Kukai and the Treasures of Shingon Buddhism

Tokyo National Museum marks the 1,250th anniversary of Kukai's birth with 88 Shingon temple treasures, including 15 National Treasures and nine secret statues.

14 Jul – 6 Sep 2026Tokyo · Kanto

Exhibition

National Treasures Reborn: High-Fidelity Reproductions Weaving Dreams of Beauty.

Exhibition of twenty-eight high-fidelity reproductions of Japanese national treasures created through advanced imaging and traditional Kyoto craftsmanship.

17 Jul – 23 Sep 2026Oita · Kyushu

Illumination

National Treasure Matsumoto Castle Projection Mapping 2025-2026

Matsumoto Castle features projection mapping with ukiyo-e imagery, traditional crafts, and seasonal scenes unfolding in three phases with interactive illuminations throughout the park.

13 Dec 2026 – 15 Feb 2027Nagano · Chubu

Illumination

Zuiryuji Temple "Spring Light-up"

Colored lights and music illuminate this National Treasure temple in spring, accompanied by a market featuring local goods and specialties.

22 Apr – 5 May 2027Toyama · Chubu

Shrine

Kumano Hayatama Taisha

In Shingu, Wakayama, Kumano Hayatama Taisha stands as one of the three grand Kumano shrines – a "land of rebirth" where pilgrims have sought renewal for centuries.

Shingu · Wakayama

Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine

The floating shrine of Miyajima, built out over a tidal cove, with its great vermilion torii standing in the sea off the sacred island.

Hatsukaichi · Hiroshima

Temple

Zuiryuji Temple

A 17th-century Soto-school Buddhist temple in Takaoka houses several buildings designated as national treasures and important cultural properties.

Takaoka · Toyama

Temple

Tofukuji Temple

Tofukuji is one of Kyoto's great Zen temples, celebrated for its sweeping maple valley and the modern garden surrounding the abbot's quarters.

Kyoto

Shrine

Kibitsu Jinja

Major Okayama shrine dedicated to Kibitsuhiko-no-Mikoto, a legendary prince credited with defeating an ogre and bringing peace to the region, foundations of the Momotaro folktale.

Okayama

Temple

Miidera Temple

Head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect, Miidera was founded in the seventh century and has survived repeated destruction, earning the name Phoenix Temple.

Otsu · Shiga

Temple

Daigo-ji Temple

Over 1,100-year-old Buddhist temple complex and head temple of the Daigo branch of Shingon Buddhism, centered on an ancient natural spring.

Kyoto

Temple

Ishiyamadera

A Shingon Buddhist temple in Otsu traditionally founded in 747, preserving numerous important cultural properties and National Treasures of traditional architecture.

Otsu · Shiga

Shrine

Nikko Tosho-gu

Shinto shrine established 1617 to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun who ended the Sengoku period and founded 260 years of Edo peace.

Nikko · Tochigi

Temple

Rinnoji Temple

Rinnoji is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Nikko and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its Sanbutsudo hall and the National Treasure Taiyuin mausoleum.

Nikko · Tochigi

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