Kamakura Museum of National Treasures

The Kamakura Museum of National Treasures is a city museum displaying around 4800 objects from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. The collection includes sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts, along with five designated National Treasures.

The museum was founded in 1928 to protect important artworks following the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923. Its building design drew inspiration from the Shosoin treasure house while using modern reinforced concrete construction.

The collection reflects how artistic expression evolved in Kamakura over centuries, showing developments in sculpture and painting that shaped local traditions. Visitors can observe these changes in style and technique across the displayed works.

The museum is situated on the grounds of Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu shrine, making it easy to combine with a visit to the shrine. Plan your visit for Tuesday through Sunday, as the museum is closed on Mondays.

The building blends traditional Japanese storehouse elements with reinforced concrete, reflecting design choices inspired by local shrine architecture. This combination makes the museum structure itself worth noticing as a work of design that connects past and present.

Location: Yukinoshita

Inception: 1928

Architects: Shin'ichirō Okada

Official opening: April 3, 1928

Address: 〒248-0005 神奈川県鎌倉市雪ノ下２丁目１−１　鶴岡八幡宮内

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-16:30

Phone: 0467220753

Email: kokuhoukan@city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp

Website: https://city.kamakura.kanagawa.jp/kokuhoukan

GPS coordinates: 35.32467,139.55704

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:44