Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Nikko Toshogu
Nikko, Tochigi
The shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, with buildings completed in 1636 in the great rebuilding ordered by the third shogun, Iemitsu. Eight structures are National Treasures, including the Yomeimon Gate, the gongen-style main sanctuary, the Karamon gates, the openwork fences and the corridors.
Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Rinno-ji Taiyuin
Nikko, Tochigi
At Rinno-ji Taiyuin, the mausoleum of the third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu, you can see the National Treasure mausoleum (Haiden, Ai-no-ma and Honden) finished in gold and black, and the approach through the Niomon, Nitenmon and Yashamon gates. The precinct is lined with 315 lanterns, and inside the mausoleum you can see Chinese lions by Kano Tan'yu and dragon paintings on the ceiling.
Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Zuiryu-ji
Takaoka, Toyama
At Zuiryu-ji you can walk through an early Edo-period Zen temple compound where the gates and halls stand in a straight line, linked by corridors. Its three National Treasures are the Sanmon, about 18 meters tall and rebuilt in 1818, the lead-roofed Butsuden, and the Hatto, which holds Maeda Toshinaga's memorial tablet.
Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Zenko-ji
Nagano, Nagano
The main hall, rebuilt in 1707 and now a National Treasure, stands about 27 meters tall with a T-shaped shumoku-zukuri roof, and is among the largest wooden National Treasure buildings in eastern Japan. The non-sectarian temple enshrines a triad of Amida Buddha in one halo, and visitors can walk the pitch-dark Okaidan passage beneath the inner sanctuary.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Kunozan Toshogu
Shizuoka, Shizuoka
At Kunozan Toshogu you can see the National Treasure shrine buildings (Honden, Ishi-no-ma and Haiden), built in 1617 on Mount Kuno where Ieyasu was buried, whose gongen-zukuri style became the model for Toshogu shrines across Japan. You can also take in the black and red lacquer and flower-and-bird carvings, the stone-step approach overlooking Suruga Bay, and Ieyasu's tomb.
Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Enryaku-ji
Otsu, Shiga
Founded by the monk Saicho, Enryaku-ji on Mt. Hiei is a World Heritage temple known as the mother of Japanese Buddhism. Its National Treasure, the Konponchudo main hall in the Todo area, houses the Eternal Flame, said to have burned before the principal image for 1,200 years.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Kamowakeikazuchi Shrine (Kamigamo Shrine)
Kyoto, Kyoto
At Kamigamo Shrine you can view the Main Sanctuary and the Gonden, two National Treasure buildings rebuilt in 1863, up close on a special visit. Also worth seeing are the sand cones modeled on Mount Koyama and the shrine buildings spread over a slope where two streams meet.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Kamomioya Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine)
Kyoto, Kyoto
At Shimogamo Shrine you can see the East and West Main Sanctuaries, two National Treasure buildings from 1863 standing side by side, along with the Tadasu no Mori forest to the south and the Mitarashi Pond linked to the Aoi Festival. The special viewing also takes you into the Oidono, the kitchen of the deities.
Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Chion-in
Kyoto, Kyoto
The head temple of the Jodo school, standing where its founder Honen once lived and taught. Two great Early Edo buildings here are National Treasures: the Sanmon Gate, one of the largest wooden gates in Japan, and the Miedo Hall, which enshrines Honen's portrait statue.
Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Kiyomizu-dera
Kyoto, Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera's main hall, rebuilt in 1633, juts out from the slope of Mount Otowa on 18 zelkova pillars in the kakezukuri style and is a National Treasure. Look out over Kyoto from its famous stage, then gaze up at the nail-free timber framing from below. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage site.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Yasaka Shrine
Kyoto, Kyoto
A shrine at the east end of Shijo-dori, known for the Gion Festival. Its National Treasure Main Sanctuary was rebuilt by the Edo shogunate in 1654, and is distinctive for covering the sanctuary and worship hall with a single great roof.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Iwashimizu Hachimangu
Yawata, Kyoto
A Hachiman shrine on top of Mount Otokoyama, where you can see ten National Treasure buildings, including the Hachiman-zukuri main sanctuary rebuilt under Tokugawa Iemitsu. Its richly colored carvings, the Nobunaga Wall and the approach path climbing from the foot of the hill are also worth seeing.
Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Manpuku-ji
Uji, Kyoto
The head temple of the Obaku school of Zen, founded by Yinyuan (Ingen), where three National Treasure halls in the Chinese Ming style, the Tennoden, the Daiyuhoden and the Hatto, stand in a straight line. You can see designs rarely found at other temples, such as the teak main hall and the arched Obaku ceilings.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Osaka, Osaka
This is the head shrine of about 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines across Japan, and its four main sanctuaries, built in 1810, are National Treasures. You can see the Sumiyoshi-zukuri style, counted among the oldest forms of shrine architecture, and the unusual layout of the halls, lined up like a fleet of ships.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Kasuga Taisha
Nara, Nara
The tutelary shrine of the Fujiwara clan stands at the foot of Mount Mikasa. Its four vermilion main sanctuaries are National Treasures, the most orthodox example of the Kasuga style, kept in their old form by rebuilding roughly every 20 years. Some 3,000 lanterns line the grounds.
Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Hase-dera
Sakurai, Nara
Hase-dera has a National Treasure Main Hall built out over a cliff, and inside it stands the wooden principal image, an Eleven-Faced Kannon more than 10 meters tall. The Noboriro, a covered corridor of 399 steps, links the Nio Gate with the Main Hall.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Izumo Taisha
Izumo, Shimane
Izumo Taisha's main sanctuary, dedicated to the deity Okuninushi, is a National Treasure in the ancient Taisha-zukuri style and, at about 24 m, the tallest shrine building of its kind in Japan. The treasure hall displays a giant pillar from the ancient sanctuary, unearthed in 2000.
Edo · Other buildings · National Treasures
Oura Church
Nagasaki, Nagasaki
Completed in 1864, this is the oldest surviving church in Japan. It is where hidden Christians revealed their faith in the Discovery of Christians, and you can see its Gothic-style interior and the statue of Mary linked to that event.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Usa Jingu
Usa, Oita
At Usa Jingu, the three National Treasure halls of the main sanctuary, built in the ancient Hachiman-zukuri style, stand side by side at the upper shrine, and in the grounds you can also see the Usa torii, the lower shrine, the roofed Kurebashi bridge and a great camphor tree. The main sanctuary is normally closed and is sometimes opened during periods such as special viewings.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Kirishima Jingu
Kirishima, Kagoshima
At Kirishima Jingu you can see the vermilion Main Sanctuary, Offering Hall and Worship Hall, rebuilt in 1715, rising in stages, linked to the Chokushiden by a climbing corridor and steep stairs. The interiors of the halls can be seen during special viewings by reservation.
Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Kangi-in Shoden-do
Kumagaya, Saitama
Kangi-in Shoden-do is a Shinto shrine in Kumagaya, Saitama. Its Kangi-in Shoden-do is a designated National Treasure (Mid-Edo period).
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Edo · Temples · National Treasures
Shoko-ji
Takaoka, Toyama
Shoko-ji is a temple in Takaoka, Toyama. Its Main Hall and Ohiroma and Shikidai (Great Hall and Entrance) are designated National Treasures (Mid-Edo period–Late Edo period).
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Edo · Shrines · National Treasures
Nishina Shinmeigu
Omachi, Nagano
Nishina Shinmeigu is a Shinto shrine in Omachi, Nagano. Its Main Sanctuary and Middle Gate (Front Hall) are designated National Treasures (Mid-Edo period).
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Edo · Residences · National Treasures
Joan Tea House
Inuyama, Aichi
Joan Tea House is a historic residence in Inuyama, Aichi. Its Joan (Tea House) is a designated National Treasure (Early Edo period).
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