It stores and exhibits Cultural Properties (five National Treasures and 136 National Important Cultural Properties) including writings, paintings, and handicrafts owned by Shokoku-ji Temple, Rokuon-ji Temple (Kinkaku-ji Temple) and Jisho-ji Temple (Ginkaku-ji Temple) that are affiliated with the Shokoku-ji School of the Rinzai Zen sect.
相国寺および臨済宗相国寺派に属する鹿苑寺（金閣寺）や慈照寺（銀閣寺）などが所有する墨蹟・絵画・工芸品等の文化財（国宝5点と国の重要文化財136点を含む）を収蔵・展示している。