List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)

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National Treasures: Japanese temple structures

The term National Treasure in Japan has been used since 1897 to denote culturally important properties. The current system designates temple buildings as National Treasures under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, which took effect on June 9, 1951. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology selects treasures for their especially high historical or artistic value. The list covers 158 entries of temple structures dating from the late 7th century (the Asuka period) to the early 19th century (the Edo period). In some cases, several related buildings are grouped into a single entry, so the number of structures described is higher than 158.

The treasures include main halls (kondō, hondō, butsuden), pagodas, gates, bell towers, corridors, and other buildings that form a Buddhist temple. Buddhism arrived in Japan in the mid-6th century and was officially adopted after the Battle of Shigisan in 587. Early temples such as Hōkō-ji (later Asuka-dera), Shitennō-ji, and Hōryū-ji were built in this period. The typical ancient temple layout featured a south-facing main gate, a sacred area surrounded by a roofed corridor (kairō), a pagoda as a reliquary, and a main hall (kon-dō). Over time, temples expanded with more structures.

Many ancient temples were destroyed by fires, earthquakes, and wars, so few survive. Hōryū-ji, rebuilt after a fire in 670, contains the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world from the 7th century. In the early periods, temple layouts spread from the capital to the provinces. The Nara period saw seven influential state-supported temples, known as the Nanto Shichi Daiji, and large halls and pagodas grew in size, with specialized structures like the Shōsōin storehouse.

In the Heian period, new architectural styles emerged. The Tendai and Shingon sects favored the wayō (Japanese) style, with a two-part main hall, extended eaves, and use of natural materials. The tahōtō two-storied tower was introduced. In response to ancient Buddhist prophecies, Amida halls—designed to evoke paradise on earth—were built, including Byōdō-in’s Phoenix Hall (1053) and others at Jōruri-ji and Chūson-ji. The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) style and Zen style appeared in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, with notable examples such as the Nandaimon gate at Tōdai-ji and the Amida Hall at Jōdo-ji.

During the Muromachi period, these styles blended into a rich, eclectic architecture, reaching a peak in later centuries. Notable examples include the main hall at Kakurin-ji and the main hall at Kiyomizu-dera. The National Treasure list spans several major eras of Japanese temple design, from the Asuka period to the Edo period. The list includes 158 entries, but some entries count multiple structures as a single entry.