[Exhibition to see this year, running until September 7th] Masterpieces gather in Nara: The ultimate national treasure, "O-yoroi" exhibition

• Table of Contents
• About the Special Exhibition Supreme Treasures "Japanese Gorgeous Armors" 
• Highlights of the Exhibition
• Don't miss out! Works to be exhibited
• Exhibition Overview
• The Kintetsu Railway is the most convenient way to get to the ultimate national treasure, the O-yoroi exhibition

About the Special Exhibition Supreme Treasures "Japanese Gorgeous Armors" 

The " Aka Thread Armor" and "Aka Tiger Sparrow Ornament" of Kasuga Shrine, both of which are said to be the finest existing armors, will be exhibited side by side for the first time in history. This is also the largest-scale exhibition to date, with nine of the 18 pieces of armor designated as national treasures gathered together in one place.

View the exhibition introduction page

Official Facebook

There are many different styles of Japanese armor, but they are a collection of craft works spanning multiple fields such as metalwork, lacquer work, and dyeing and weaving, and can be considered a comprehensive art that displays the high level of craftsmanship and aesthetic sense of the Japanese people. Among these armors, the most prestigious is the "O-yoroi" (large armor), which was mainly made from the late Heian period to the Northern and Southern Courts period. Kasuga has two of Japan's most representative armors, the National Treasure Akaito-Ido O-yoroi (Aka Bush Warbler Decoration) and the National Treasure Akaito- Aka O-yoroi (Bamboo Tiger Sparrow Decoration), both of which are decorated with gorgeous and gorgeous metal ornaments that represent the pinnacle of metalworking technology.

In this exhibition, we hope to explore the background to the production of "O-yoroi", a symbol of Japan's cultural power, and to convey its splendor to many people both in Japan and abroad.

Highlights of the Exhibition

★Highlight 1: The Akaito-odoshi Ōyoroi (with bamboo, tiger, and sparrow) from Kasugataisha Shrine in Nara and Akaito-odoshi Yoroi (armor and helmet with chrysanthemum motif) from Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine in Aomori Prefecture are known as the “two great masterpieces of National Treasure armor.” These will be exhibited side by side for the first time in history.

★Highlight 2: This is a large-scale exhibition that brings together nine pieces of armor, which is half of the eighteen that have been designated as National Treasures.

★Highlight 3: Until the early modern period, Nara was a major producer of armor, and could be called the birthplace of armor in Japan. In this exhibition Kasugataisha Shrine presents some of this stunning and magnificent armor.

Don't miss out! Works to be exhibited

National Treasure "Aka -laced O-yoroi" with Bamboo Tiger and Sparrow Decoration, owned by Kasuga Kasuga in Nara

This large armor is adorned with gorgeous jewelry said to have been donated by Minamoto no Yoshitsune. The nearly 100 sparrows that adorn the armor are all different in appearance.

National Treasure " Aka Thread Armor" Kikuichimonji Armor Helmet (Kikuichimonji Armor) Aomori Hachimangu Shrine, Aomori

Don't miss this gorgeous armor handed down by the Nanbu family from the Southern Court.

Exhibition Overview

Period: July 5th (Sat) - September 7th (Sun) 2025

Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)

Venue: Kasuga National Treasure Hall Opening hours: 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)

Admission fee: 1,500 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for university and high school students, 500 yen for junior high and elementary school students

Access: 7-10 minutes by bus from Kintetsu Nara Station bound for Kasuga Honden, get off right away

View the exhibition introduction page

The Kintetsu Railway is the most convenient way to get to the ultimate national treasure, the O-yoroi exhibition

The nearest station to Kasuga, where the exhibition will be held, as well as Todaiji Temple and Nara, famous for its deer, is Kintetsu Nara Station. It is very convenient to travel from Osaka Namba or Kyoto using the Kintetsu train. You can get to Nara from Osaka or Kyoto without changing trains.