Momoyama · Shrines · National Treasures
Osaki Hachimangu
Sendai, Miyagi
At Osaki Hachimangu you can see the shrine building completed for Date Masamune in 1607, an ishi-no-ma (gongen-zukuri) structure adorned with black lacquer and richly colored carvings. The contrast with the plain wooden Nagatoko hall in front of it is also worth a look.
Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Zuiganji
Matsushima, Miyagi
At Zuiganji you can see the rooms adorned with sliding-door paintings and the Onari Genkan entrance in the National Treasure main hall completed by Date Masamune in 1609, and next to it the National Treasure Kuri with its bold arabesque carvings and great roof topped by a smoke vent.
Momoyama · Castles · National Treasures
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto, Nagano
Five connected buildings form this National Treasure keep: the main keep, the Inui small keep and the linking turret, joined by the Tatsumi turret and the Moon-Viewing Turret. Wartime defenses of the late 16th century sit beside a peaceful early-Edo moon-viewing pavilion, and the main keep is considered the oldest surviving five-tier, six-floor keep in Japan.
Momoyama · Castles · National Treasures
Inuyama Castle
Inuyama, Aichi
Standing on a hill above the Kiso River, Inuyama Castle's keep is a National Treasure that the castle's official site calls the oldest surviving keep in Japan. Climb its steep stairs to the top-floor lookout for views over the river, the old castle town and the Nobi Plain.
Momoyama · Shrines · National Treasures
Hiyoshi Taisha
Otsu, Shiga
At Hiyoshi Taisha you can see the main sanctuaries of the Nishi Hongu and Higashi Hongu, built in the Hiyoshi-zukuri style found only at this shrine. The grounds at the foot of Mt. Hiei, with about 40 shrines, are a well-known spot for autumn leaves.
Momoyama · Castles · National Treasures
Hikone Castle
Hikone, Shiga
Hikone Castle, long the seat of the Ii family, has a three-story National Treasure keep said to have been moved here from Otsu Castle. The highlight is not its size but its roof, layered with a varied mix of curved and triangular gables.
Momoyama · Shrines · National Treasures
Tsukubusuma Shrine
Nagahama, Shiga
At Tsukubusuma Shrine you can see the National Treasure Main Sanctuary, which joins two buildings of different periods, and try kawarake throwing at the Ryujin Haisho that juts out over Lake Biwa. The sanctuary is linked to the Kannon Hall of Hogon-ji by a roofed corridor.
Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Hogon-ji
Nagahama, Shiga
At Hogon-ji you can see the National Treasure Karamon Gate, noted as possibly the only surviving building of Hideyoshi's Osaka Castle, the partly cliff-hung Kannon Hall and the Funa-roka corridor leading to Tsukubusuma Shrine. Stone steps lead up to the main hall of the Great Benzaiten.
Momoyama · Shrines · National Treasures
Kitano Tenmangu
Kyoto, Kyoto
The head shrine of all the Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines that honor Sugawara no Michizane. Its National Treasure sanctuary, built by Toyotomi Hideyori in 1607, is a Momoyama building linking the main sanctuary and worship hall through the Ishi-no-ma, and the grounds open seasonal plum and maple gardens.
Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Nishi Hongan-ji
Kyoto, Kyoto
The head temple of the Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu, which grew from the mausoleum of Shinran. Eight National Treasure buildings stand here, including the vast Founder's Hall and Amida Hall, the richly carved Karamon Gate, the gold-painted shoin halls, the oldest surviving Noh stage and the three-story Hiunkaku Pavilion.
Momoyama · Castles · National Treasures
Nijo Castle
Kyoto, Kyoto
Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nijo Castle keeps the Ninomaru Palace, six linked halls that form the only castle palace complex surviving in Japan. Inside are Kano school wall paintings, "nightingale" floors that chirp underfoot, and the Ohiroma hall where the shogun returned power to the emperor in 1867.
Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Sanpo-in
Kyoto, Kyoto
At Sanpo-in you can see the National Treasure Omote Shoin, which borrows from the shinden style, and the National Treasure Karamon Gate, its black lacquer set off by gold crests. In front of the Omote Shoin spreads the garden, a Special Place of Scenic Beauty whose basic design Toyotomi Hideyoshi drew up for the Daigo Cherry Blossom Viewing.
Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Daitoku-ji
Kyoto, Kyoto
At Daitoku-ji you can walk through a Zen temple compound whose main buildings line up north to south, along with its many sub-temples. The head temple, with the National Treasure Hojo, its entrance and the Momoyama-period Karamon Gate, is normally closed, so visitors see the layout from outside.
Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Ninna-ji
Kyoto, Kyoto
The head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism, completed by Emperor Uda in 888 and long headed by abbots from the imperial family. Its National Treasure Kondo is the Shishinden hall moved from the imperial palace, seen together with the Nio Gate, the five-story pagoda and the late-blooming Omuro cherry trees.
Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Nanzen-ji
Kyoto, Kyoto
A head temple of the Rinzai school, begun when the retired Emperor Kameyama turned his villa into a Zen temple. In the National Treasure Hojo you can see wall paintings in the Large and Small Hojo, moved from the imperial palace, and the dry garden known as Tiger Cubs Crossing.
Momoyama · Castles · National Treasures
Himeji Castle
Himeji, Hyogo
Himeji Castle keeps its early-Edo-period form: a white-plastered main keep linked by corridor turrets to three smaller keeps. In 1993 it became one of Japan's first World Heritage Sites, together with Horyu-ji.
Momoyama · Castles · National Treasures
Matsue Castle
Matsue, Shimane
Matsue Castle's keep, one of Japan's five National Treasure castles, is the only surviving four-tiered, five-story keep in the Chugoku region. Look for its two-story-long through pillars and the roof's shachihoko ornament, about 2 m tall and said to be the largest surviving wooden one.
Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Myokian
Oyamazaki, Kyoto
Myokian is a temple in Oyamazaki, Kyoto. Its Shoin and Tea House (Taian) is a designated National Treasure (Momoyama period).
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Momoyama · Temples · National Treasures
Kanchi-in
Kyoto, Kyoto
Kanchi-in is a temple in Kyoto, Kyoto. Its Guest Hall (Kyakuden) is a designated National Treasure (Momoyama period, 1605).
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Momoyama · Shrines · National Treasures
Toyokuni Shrine
Kyoto, Kyoto
Toyokuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kyoto, Kyoto. Its Karamon Gate is a designated National Treasure (Momoyama period).
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Momoyama · Shrines · National Treasures
Kamosu Shrine
Matsue, Shimane
Kamosu Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Matsue, Shimane. Its Honden (Main Sanctuary) is a designated National Treasure (Momoyama period, 1583).
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Momoyama · Shrines · National Treasures
Aoi Aso Shrine
Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto
Aoi Aso Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto. 5 of its buildings, including the Main Sanctuary and Corridor, are designated National Treasures (Momoyama period, 1610–1613).
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