National Treasures of Shiga Prefecture

by Philbert Ono

Updated: Aug. 2, 2010

Tahoto Pagoda at Ishiyama-dera temple.

Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has The Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-cho 文化庁) that designates tangible and intangible things, places, and people having important cultural or historical value with official designations such as Important Cultural Property (Juyo Bunka-zai 重要文化財) and National Treasure (Kokuho 国宝). Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Juyo Mukei Bunka-zai 重要無形文化財) are non-physical things such as performance or artistic technique designated as outstanding. People with exceptional talent in performing arts (演劇) such as kabuki and Noh, in music (音楽), or in fine arts (工芸技術) such as pottery and painting can be designated as Living National Treasures (Ningen Kokuho 人間国宝).

The owners of Important Cultural Properties and National Treasures, Living National Treasures, and practitioners (including organizations and groups) of important intangible cultural arts receive a subsidy from the Japanese government to maintain or repair the cultural property or to practice the art. Living National Treasures receive 2 million yen annually.

As of March 2009, Shiga Prefecture has 22 buildings designated as National Treasures. This is the third highest number in Japan after Nara (64) and Kyoto (48). In total, there are 214 buildings in Japan designated as National Treasures.

The following is a list of National Treasure buildings in Shiga Prefecture, followed by photos:

Shrines

• Onjoji Shinrazen Shindo Hall (Miidera), Otsu, Shiga 園城寺新羅善神堂
• Mikami Jinja Shrine Honden Hall, Yasu, Shiga 御上神社本殿
• Osasahara Jinja Shrine Honden Hall, Yasu, Shiga 大笹原神社本殿
• Tsukubusuma Shrine Honden Hall, Chikubushima, Nagahama, Shiga 都久夫須麻神社本殿
• Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine Nishi Hongu Honden Hall 日吉大社西本宮本殿
• Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine Higashi Hongu Honden Hall 日吉大社東本宮本殿
• Namura Shrine, Nishi Honden, Ryuo, Shiga. 苗村神社 西本殿

Temples

• Onjoji (Miidera) Kondo Hall, Otsu, Shiga 園城寺金堂
• Enryakuji Konpon Chudo Hall, Otsu, Shiga 延暦寺根本中堂
• Kongorinji Hondo Hall, Aisho, Shiga 金剛輪寺本堂
• Jorakuji Hondo Hall, Konan, Shiga 常楽寺本堂
• Jorakuji Three-story Pagoda, Konan, Shiga 常楽寺三重塔
• Saimyoji Hondo Hall, Kora, Shiga 西明寺本堂
• Saimyoji Three-story Pagoda 西明寺三重塔
• Ishiyama-dera Hondo Hall 石山寺本堂
• Tahoto Pagoda, Ishiyama-dera, Otsu 石山寺多宝塔
• Zensuiji Hondo Hall, Konan, Shiga 善水寺本堂
• Chojuji Hondo Hall, Konan, Shiga 長寿寺 長寿寺本堂
• Karamon Gate, Hogonji temple, Chikubushima, Nagahama 宝厳寺唐門

Castles

• Hikone Castle, Hikone, Shiga 彦根城天守、附櫓及び多聞櫓 2棟

Residences

• Kangaku-in Kyakuden, Miidera temple (closed to the public) 勧学院客殿 （所有者:園城寺）
• Kojo-in Kyaden Hall, Onjoji, Otsu, Shiga 光浄院客殿（所有者:園城寺）

Photos

Konpon Chudo Hall, Enryakuji	Hikone Castle	Ishiyama-dera Hondo	Ishiyama-dera Tahoto
Miidera Kondo Hall	Miidera Kangaku-in Hall	Hiyoshi Taisha Nishi Hongu Honden	Hiyoshi Taisha Higashi Hongu Honden
Tsukubusuma Shrine Honden	Hogonji Karamon Gate	Mikami Shrine Honden	Osasahara Shrine Honden
Kongorinji Hondo	Saimyoji Hondo	Saimyoji 3-story pagoda	Namura Shrine Nishi Honden
Jorakuji Hondo	Jorakuji 3-story pagoda	Zensuiji Hondo	Chojuji Hondo