Beginning in 1972, when the Kofuzo (a type of storehouse) of Horyu-ji Temple was designated a national treasure, a period of 25 years elapsed in which no new buildings were designated national treasures; but in 1997, in addition to the Shosoin warehouse, three structures in the Zuiryu-ji Temple complex in the city of Takaoka (Toyama Prefecture), namely the Buddhist temple, the lecture hall, and the temple gate, were designated national treasures.
1972年（昭和47年）に法隆寺綱封蔵が指定されて以後、国宝建造物の新規指定は25年間にわたり行われていなかったが、1997年（平成9年）には正倉院正倉と瑞龍寺(高岡市)（富山県）仏殿・法堂・山門が指定された。