UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan

Himeji Castle or Himeji-jō is the most beautiful and most visited castle in Japan. It is also one of the last remaining original castles. The whole structure consists of an network of 83 buildings.

Kyoto is without doubt the number one travel destination in Japan. Enjoy these outstanding historical sites like
Nijo Castle
Kinkaku-ji
Ginkaku-ji
Kiyomizu-dera
Shimogamo Shrine

Shirakawa-go is an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 (the 6th World Heritage in Japan). The place is famous for the unique architecture style of Gassho-zukuri farmhouses.

The torii of the Itsukushima Shrine at Miyajima Island is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations.

Nikko is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan. The Temples and Shrines of Nikko are a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 1999.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial building was the last standing structure in central Hiroshima after the atomic bomb blast on the 6th August 1945.

Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784. With 8 UNESCO World Heritage Site this city is a must-see during your Japan trip. Great sightseeing spots are:
Todaiji Temple
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Heijo Palace
Kofukuji Temple

Yakushima belongs to the Ōsumi Islands. The round-shaped suptropical island covers an area of app. 505 square kilometres with an population of 15.000. The highest mountain with 1935m is called Miyanoura-dake.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the northern part of Honshu. Shirakami Sanchi has one of the last natural beech forests in East Asia.

Iwami Ginzan was the largest Silver Mine in Japan, which produced high-quality silver, known as Soma Silver, for over 400 years.

Shiretoko Peninsula is considered the last remaining wilderness in Japan with a unique flora and fauna.

For many people Mt.Fuji is the symbol of Japan. The perfect shape and beauty of this volcano was praised in literature and paintings for centuries.

Japan Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. These places are part of it:
Mount Koya
Kumano Kodo
Mount Yoshino

The islands are located approximately 1000km south of Tokyo. Around 30 subtropical islands belong to this group. Out of these Mukojima, Chichijima, and Hahajima (excluding settlements) are UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Gusuku sites and related properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu are a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Okinawa Island. Have fun exploring the following places:
Zakimi Castle
Nakagusuku Castle
Shuri Castle
Katsuren Castle

The Meiji Industrial Revolution in Japan marked a big turning point in the history of the country. It became an industrial powerhouse. 23 sites spread over 8 prefectures are now part of the UNESCO list, like the
Hashima Island (Gunkanjima)

Located in Tokyo’s Ueno Park, the National Museum of Western Art is Japan’s only site listed under UNESCO’s Architectural Work of Le Corbusier. Designed by the Swiss-French modernist Le Corbusier (1887 – 1965), the building features his signature use of concrete and geometric forms, and the museum’s collection of European masterpieces makes it well worth a visit.

18. Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture (2011)
19. Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites, Gunma Prefecture (2014)
20. Horyu-ji Temple, Nara Prefecture (1993)
21. Okinoshima Island and Munakata Taisha, Fukuoka Prefecture (2017)
22. Hidden Christian Sites of Nagasaki, Nagasaki Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture (2018)
23. Mozu Kofun Tombs, Osaka Prefecture (2019)
24. Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (2021)

will follow soon.