Overview
Displayed in locations across the country, Japan's archaeological heritage reaches into antiquity with many finds tracing their histories back some five thousand years. Tokyo, too, holds a good number of items listed as archaeological National Treasures. The bulk of them, as expected, can be found at the Tokyo National Museum but other locations, too, play host to the national heritage. From ancient weapons and warrior armour to ceramic pottery and ritual temple bells, here is a simple guide to where in Tokyo these archaeological National Treasures can be found.
Tokyo National Museum
Featuring the country's oldest inscribed iron sword, the Todaiji-yama tumulus at the Tokyo National Museum includes ancient weapons, leather armour, stone vessels and arm ornaments dating from the 4th century. Eighth-century objects used in the consecration of Kofuku-ji Temple, a 2nd-century Buddhist ceremonial bell decorated with animal and human motifs, a 6th-century armoured terracotta warrior with weapons as well as the contents of a 5th-century burial chamber and the 8th century epitaphs and funerary urns of Fumi no Nemaro, a minor ranking lord can also be found at the museum.
Location: 13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 〒110-8712 (nearest station: Ueno Station, JR Yamanote Line)
Eisei Bunko Museum
A bronze mirror inlaid with gold and silver, known as the Hosokawa Mirror and featuring a hunting motif from the 3rd century BC can be found at the Eisei Bunko Museum along with a bronze water bowl patterned with a tiger and dragon motif.
Location: 1-1-1 Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 〒112-0015 (nearest station: Waseda Station, Toden-Arakawa Line)
Fusa-ji Temple
The Fusa-ji Temple in Tachikawa features a hexagonal stone pillar. Dating back to the mid-14th century, the pillar is decorated in reliefs of the Four Heavenly Kings and Nio temple guardians.
Location: 4-20-46 Shibasaki-cho, Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo 〒190-0023 (nearest station: Shibasaki-taiikukan Station, Tama Monorail Line)
Mitsui Memorial Museum
The Mitsui Memorial Museum holds the country's oldest extant epitaph. Dating back to the 7th century, the copper find reveals details about the life and death of one Funashi Ogo, an Asuka Period government official.
Location: 2-1-1 Nihonbashi-muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 〒103-0022 (nearest station: Mitsukoshimae Station, Ginza Line)
Gotoh Museum
The ancient animal world is represented at the Gotoh Museum with a horse ornament complete with trappings of gilt bronze that dates back to the 6th century.
Location: 3-9-25 Kaminoge, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 〒158-8510 (nearest station: Kaminoge Station, Tokyu Oimachi Line)
