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Celebrating 1250 Years Since the Birth of the Great Master Kūkai: Kūkai and the Treasures of Shingon Buddhism

  • Image of "Great Master Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi)Edo period, 17th century, Kongōbuji Temple, Wakayama Prefecture"

    Great Master Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi)
    Edo period, 17th century, Kongōbuji Temple, Wakayama Prefecture

    Upcoming

    Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Special Exhibition Galleries
    July 14, 2026 (Tue) - September 6, 2026 (Sun)

    Kūkai (774–835) founded the Shingon school in Japan after studying a systematized form of esoteric Buddhist teachings in China under the monk Huiguo (746–805). The Shingon school has since grown to comprise over fifty sects and branches, which have continuously preserved Kūkai’s teachings for over 1,200 years.
    The special exhibition Kūkai and the Treasures of Shingon Buddhism is a belated celebration of the 1,250th anniversary of Kūkai’s birth—an event officially marked in 2023.
    Throughout the exhibition, visitors will trace the journey of Kūkai’s faith as it spread across a broad geographic region. They will further discover how his teachings and the many sacred treasures associated with him have survived to present day.

General Information

Some artworks may be rotated during the exhibition period. Exhibition lineup may change as circumstances require.
Period July 14–September 6, 2026
Venue Heiseikan, Tokyo National Museum (Ueno Park)
Hours 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
＊Last entry 30 minutes before closing
＊Open until 8:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, and July 19.
Closed Mondays (except July 20, when the museum is open) and July 21.
Admission

Visitors can view this exhibition without making reservations. Tickets may also be purchased at the ticket counter, but you may be asked to wait if the exhibition is crowded.

Adults: ￥2,300 (￥2,100)
University students: ￥1,300 (￥1,100)
High school students: ￥900 (￥700)

Junior high school students and under: Free

*Prices in parentheses indicate discount ticket prices for advance purchase.
*Persons with disabilities and one caregiver of individuals with disabilities: Free admission. Please present a certificate of disabilities when entering the museum.
*Students who are Campus Members of the Tokyo National Museum can purchase same-day admission tickets at ￥1,100 (discount of ￥200). Please present your Campus Member status and student ID at the ticket window.
*Visitors with tickets for this exhibition may also view the TNM Collection Exhibitions on the day of their visit at no extra charge.
Access 10-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (Park exit) and Uguisudani Station
15-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station, Tokyo Metro Ueno Station, and Tokyo Metro Nezu Station
Organizers Tokyo National Museum, The Association of Shingon Head Temples, The Yomiuri Shimbun, NHK, NHK Promotions Inc.
With the Special
Sponsorship of		 Canon Inc., Daiwa Securities Group, Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd., T&D Insurance Group
With the Sponsorship of East Japan Railway Company, SHIMIZU CORPORATION, TAKENAKA CORPORATION, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL CO., INC., MITSUBISHI ESTATE CO., LTD., Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
With the Special Support of Agency for Cultural Affairs
With the support of SGC CO., LTD., Mitsumura Printing Co., Ltd., Non-Destructive Inspection Co., Ltd.
General Inquiries (+81)50-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition Website https://tsumugu.yomiuri.co.jp/kukai2026/
X/Instagram @shingon2026

 

Part of the profits generated through this exhibition will be used for conservation of cultural properties undertaken by the TSUMUGU Project.

 

Exhibitions