World Heritage Sites in Japan - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

accepted the UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

World Heritage Convention on 30 June 1992. As of 27 June 2011, Sixteen properties have been inscribed on the World Heritage List: twelve cultural sites and four natural sites. A further twelve sites have been proposed for inscription and are on the tentative list.

World Heritage Sites

Name	Location	UNESCO data	Area:	Monuments
Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area The UNESCO World Heritage Site Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area includes a variety of buildings found in Hōryū-ji and Hokki-ji in Nara Prefecture, Japan. They were designated in 1993 along with the surrounding landscape, under several criteria. The structures inscribed are some of the...	Nara Prefecture Nara Prefecture is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....	660 (1993) i, ii, iv, vi	586 ha; (570.7 ha)	Hōryū-ji Hōryū-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as seminary and monastery both.... , Hokki-ji Hokki-ji — formerly known as and is a Buddhist temple in Okamoto, Ikaruga, Nara, Japan. The temple's honorary sangō prefix is , although it is rarely used. The temple was constructed to honor Avalokitesvara, and an 11-faced statue of the goddess is the primary object of worship in the temple...
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu The Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu is an UNESCO World Heritage Site which consists of nine sites all located in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The heritage sites include two groves or utaki, the mausoleum Tamaudun, one garden, and five gusuku castles sites, most of which...	Okinawa Prefecture Okinawa Prefecture is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...	972 (2000) ii, iii, vi	55 ha; (560 ha)	Tamaudun Tamaudun is a mausoleum in Shuri, Okinawa, built for Ryūkyūan royalty in 1501 by King Shō Shin, the third king of the second Shō dynasty a short distance from Shuri Castle.... , Sonohyan-utaki Ishimon Sonohyan-utaki ' is a sacred grove of trees and plants of the traditional indigenous Ryukyuan religion. It is located on the grounds of Shuri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, a few paces away from the Shureimon castle gate... , Nakijin Castle, Zakimi Castle, Katsuren Castle, Nakagusuku Castle Nakagusuku Castle is a gusuku in the village of Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. It is currently in ruins. The legendary Ryukyuan commander, Gosamaru, built the fortress in the early 15th century to defend against attacks from the east by Lord Amawari of Katsuren Castle... , Shuri Castle Shuri Castle Shuri Castle is a gusuku in Shuri, Okinawa. It was the palace of the Ryūkyū Kingdom. In 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, it was almost completely destroyed... , Shikinaen, Seifa-utaki Seifa-utaki , meaning "purified place of Utaki," is a Shinto Shrine. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu in Nanjō, Okinawa....
Himeji-jō Himeji Castle When the han feudal system was abolished in 1871, Himeji Castle was put up for auction. The castle was purchased by a Himeji resident for 23 Japanese yen...	Hyōgo Prefecture Hyogo Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...	661 (1993) i, iv	107 ha; (143 ha)	Himeji Castle Himeji Castle When the han feudal system was abolished in 1871, Himeji Castle was put up for auction. The castle was purchased by a Himeji resident for 23 Japanese yen...
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi Historic Monuments and Sites of Hiraizumi is a group of five sites from late eleventh- and twelfth-century Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Proposed jointly in 2001 for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List under criteria ii, iii, iv, and vi, it was inscribed in 2011.-Hiraizumi:For four...	Iwate Prefecture Iwate Prefecture is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...	1277 (2011) ii, vi	187 ha; (5,998 ha)	Chūson-ji Chuson-ji Chūson-ji is a Buddhist temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It is the head temple of the Tendai sect in Tōhoku . The Tendai sect claims that the temple was founded in 850 by Ennin, the third chief abbot of the sect, but most scholars believe that Chūson-ji was founded by Fujiwara no... , Mōtsū-ji Motsu-ji Mōtsū-ji （毛越寺）refers to the Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect in Hiraizumi and to the historic area surrounding it containing the ruins of two older temples, Enryū-ji （圓隆寺） and Kashō-ji（嘉祥寺）in a Jōdo garden. The current temple was built in the 18th century and bears no relation to the ancient... , Kanjizaiō-in Kanjizaio-in Kanjizaiō-in （観自在王院）refers to a former temple in Hiraizumi founded by the wife of Fujiwara no Motohira, the second of the Northern Fujiwara rulers. It sat directly across the Frontier Way from Enryu-ji and Kasho-ji, her husband's twin temples. Her temple shared the Pure Land theme with her husbands... , Muryokō-in, Yanagi no Gosho, Kinkeizan
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)	Hiroshima Prefecture Hiroshima Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Hiroshima.- History :The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded...	775 (1996) vi	0.4 ha; (43 ha)	Atomic bomb dome
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)	Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Kyoto prefecture was known as Yamashiro.... /Shiga Prefecture Shiga Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan, which forms part of the Kansai region on Honshu Island. The capital is the city of Ōtsu.- History :Shiga was known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū before the prefectural system was established...	688 (1994) ii, iv	1056 ha; (3,579 ha)	Kamigamo Jinja, Shimogamo Jinja, Tō-ji To-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect in Kyoto, Japan. Its name means East Temple, and it once had a partner, Sai-ji . They stood alongside the Rashomon, the gate to the Heian capital. It is formally known as which indicates that it previously functioned as a temple providing protection for the... , Kiyomizu-dera Kiyomizu-dera , officially is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site... , Enryaku-ji Enryaku-ji thumb\|300px\|Konpon Chū-dō , Enryaku-ji's main hall is a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, overlooking Kyoto. It was founded during the early Heian period. The temple complex was established by Saichō , also known as Dengyō Daishi, who introduced the Tendai sect of Mahayana Buddhism... , Daigo-ji Daigo-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Its main devotion is Yakushi. Daigo, literally "ghee," is used figuratively to mean "crème de la crème" and is a metaphor of the most profound part of Buddhist thoughts.- History :... , Ninna-ji Ninna-ji is the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. Located in western Kyoto, Japan, it was founded in AD 888 by the retired Emperor Uda. It is part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.-History:... , Byōdō-in Byodo-in is a Buddhist temple in the city of Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is jointly a temple of the Jōdo-shū and Tendai-shū sects.- History :... , Ujigami Jinja Ujigami Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the city of Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto"... , Kōzan-ji Kozan-ji , or , is an Omuro Buddhist temple located in Ume-ga-hata Toganoo-chō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded by famous monk Myōe and is renowned for its numerous national treasures and important cultural properties, in particular the famous picture scroll called Chōjū-giga. The temple... , Saihō-ji Saiho-ji is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple located in Matsuo, Nishikyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple, which is famed for its moss garden, is commonly referred to as , meaning "moss temple", and is also known as . The temple, primarily constructed to honor Amitabha, was first founded by Gyōki and was later... , Tenryū-ji Tenryu-ji —more formally known as —is the head temple of the Tenryū branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha, and its first chief priest was Musō Soseki. Construction was... , Kinkaku-ji Kinkaku-ji , also known as , is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. The garden complex is an excellent example of Muromachi period garden design. It is designated as a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape, and it is one of 17 locations comprising the Historic Monuments of Ancient... , Ginkaku-ji Ginkaku-ji , the "Temple of the Silver Pavilion," is a Zen temple in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the construction that represents the Higashiyama Culture of Muromachi period.... , Ryōan-ji Ryoan-ji is a Zen temple located in northwest Kyoto, Japan. Belonging to the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism, the temple and karesansui garden is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.... , Nishi Hongan-ji, Nijō-jō
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara encompasses eight places in the old capital Nara in Nara Prefecture, Japan. Five are Buddhist temples, one is a Shinto shrine, one is a Palace and one a primeval forest. The properties include 26 buildings designated by the Japanese...	Nara Prefecture Nara Prefecture is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....	870 (1998) ii, iii, iv, vi	617 ha; (2,502 ha)	Tōdai-ji Todai-ji , is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall , the largest wooden building in the world, houses the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu . The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the ... , Kōfuku-ji Kofuku-ji is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The temple is the national headquarters of the Hossō school and is one of the eight Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.-History:... , Kasuga Taisha, Gangō-ji Gango-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple, that was once one of the powerful Nanto Shichi Daiji, in Nara, Japan.-History:The original foundation of the temple was by Soga no Umako in Asuka, as Asuka-dera... , Yakushi-ji Yakushi-ji is one of the most famous imperial and ancient Buddhist temples in Japan, located in Nara. The temple is the headquarters of the Hossō school of Japanese Buddhism... , Tōshōdai-ji Toshodai-ji Tōshōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Ritsu sect in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Classic Golden Hall, also known as the kondō, has a single story, hipped tiled roof with a seven bay wide facade. It is considered the archetype of "classical style."It was founded by a Chinese... , Heijō Palace Heijo Palace ' in Nara, was the Imperial Palace of Japan , during most of the Nara period. The Palace was located in the north end of the capital city, Heijō-kyō... , Kasugayama Primeval Forest
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama are one of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The site is located in the Shogawa river valley stretching across the border of Gifu and Toyama Prefectures in northern Japan. Shirakawa-gō is located in the village of Shirakawa in Gifu Prefecture...	Gifu Gifu Prefecture is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu.Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō... /Toyama Prefecture Toyama Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Hokuriku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Toyama.Toyama is the leading industrial prefecture on the Japan Sea coast, and has the industrial advantage of cheap electricity due to abundant water resources....	734 (1995) iv, v	68 ha; (58,873 ha)	Shirakawa-go Shirakawa, Gifu (village) is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is best known for being the site of Shirakawa-gō, a small, traditional village showcasing a style of buildings called gasshō-zukuri.... , Gokayama Gokayama Gokayama is a village within the city of Nanto in Toyama Prefecture. Its very traditional gasshō-zukuri style homes make it a nearly unique site, and is regarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the village of Shirakawa-gō in the Gifu Prefecture...
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine	Hiroshima Prefecture Hiroshima Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Hiroshima.- History :The area around Hiroshima was formerly divided into Bingo Province and Aki Province. This location has been a center of trade and culture since the beginning of Japan's recorded...	776 (1996) i, ii, iv, vi	431 ha; (2,634 ha)	Itsukushima Jinja
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape	Shimane Prefecture Shimane Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is Matsue. It is the second least populous prefecture in Japan, after its eastern neighbor Tottori. The prefecture has an area elongated from east to west facing the Chūgoku Mountain Range on the south side and to...	1246 (2010) ii, iii, v	529 ha; (3,134 ha)	Yunotsu, Iwami Ginzan Kaidō Yunotsu-Okidomaridō, Site of Daikansho Daikansho A was the office of a magistrate during the Edo period of Japanese history.-External links:* *... , Okidomari, Ginzan Sakunouchi, Site of Yataki-jō, Ōmori Ginzan, Miya-no-mae, Iwami Ginzan Kaidō Tomogauradō, Site of Yahazu-jō, Site of Iwami-jō, Kumagaika residence, Rakan-ji Gohyakurakan, Tomogaura
Ogasawara Islands Ogasawara Islands The Bonin Islands, known in Japan as the are an archipelago of over 30 subtropical and tropical islands, some directly south of Tokyo, Japan. Administratively, they are part of Ogasawara Municipality of Ogasawara Subprefecture, Tokyo...	Tokyo Tokyo , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...	1362 (2011) ix	7,939 ha	Natural Site: Chichi-jima Chichi-jima , formerly known as Peel Island and in the 19th century known to the English as part of the Bonin Islands, is the largest island in the Ogasawara archipelago. Chichi-jima is approximately 150 miles north of Iwo Jima. The island is within the political boundaries of Ogasawara Town, Ogasawara... , Haha-jima Haha-jima is the second-largest island of the Ogasawara Islands or Bonin Islands south of the Japanese main island chain. It is about 21 km² in area.The highest points are Mt. Chibusa , approximately 462m, and Mt. Sakaigatake , 443m. The largest island of the group, Chichi-jima is approximately... , Muko-jima, Iwo-jima Iwo Jima Iwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which lie south of the Ogasawara Islands and together with them form the Ogasawara Archipelago. The island is located south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the Kii Peninsula in Japan.- Selection criteria :...	Mie Mie Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province.... /Nara Nara Prefecture is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture.... /Wakayama Prefecture Wakayama Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Wakayama.- History :Present-day Wakayama is mostly the western part of the province of Kii.- 1953 Wakayama Prefecture flood disaster :...	1142 (2004) ii, iii, iv, vi	495 ha; (1,137 ha)	Seiganto-ji Seiganto-ji is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. In 2004, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other locations, under the name "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". According to a legend, it was founded by the priest Ragyō Shōnin, a monk... , Kumano Hayatama Taisha Kumano Hayatama Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, on the shores of the Kumanogawa in the Kii Peninsula of Japan. It is included as part of the Kumano Sanzan in the UNESCO World Heritage site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range"... , Kongōbu-ji Kongobu-ji Kongōbuji is the ecclesiastic head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, located on , Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Its name means Temple of the Diamond Mountain... , Niukanshōfu Jinja, Kumano Hongū Taisha Kumano Hongu Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, deep in the rugged mountains of the Kii Peninsula of Japan. It is included as part of the Kumano Sanzan in the UNESCO World Heritage site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". The main deity enshrined is Kumano... , Niutsuhime Jinja, Mount Yoshino Mount Yoshino is a mountain located in the town of Yoshino in Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. In 2004, It was designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.... , Ōminesan-ji Ōminesan-ji is an important temple of the Shugendō religion in Yoshino district, Nara prefecture, Japan. It is located at the top of Mount Ōmine. According to tradition, it was founded by En no Ozunu, the founder of Shugendō, a form of mountain asceticism drawing from Buddhist and Shinto beliefs... , Kōyasan chōishi-michi Kōyasan chōishi-michi is a twenty-four kilometre path with a stone marker every 109 metres leading to Kōyasan, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. Created by Kūkai and within the , it forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.-Route:The path leads from Jison-in... , Jison-in Jison-in is a Buddhist temple that marks the entrance to the pilgrimage route of Koyasan. It is part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" UNESCO World Heritage Site.... , Yoshino Mikumari Jinja, Kinbu Jinja Kinpu Shrine (Yoshino) is a Shinto shrine located in Yoshino district, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The honden, or main hall, is constructed in the nagare-zukuri style.... , Kimpusen-ji Kimpusen-ji is the head temple of the Shugendō religion in Yoshino district, Nara prefecture, Japan.According to tradition, it was founded by En no Ozunu, the founder of Shugendō, a form of mountain asceticism drawing from Buddhist and Shinto beliefs.... , Yoshimizu Jinja, Kumano Nachi Taisha Kumano Nachi Taisha is a Shinto shrine part of the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The Kumano Kodō route connects it to other sites under the same classification, all of which are in Nachikatuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan... , Nachi Falls Nachi Falls in Nachikatuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is one of the best-known waterfalls in Japan. With a drop of at 133 m, it is often erroneously thought to be the country's tallest... , Nachi primaeval forest, Fudarakusan-ji Fudarakusan-ji is Tendai temple of the in Higashimuro district, Wakayama prefecture, Japan. It is said to have been founded by Ragyō Shōnin, a monk from India.In 2004, It was designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.-External... , Kumano Kodō Kumano Kodo The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest Peninsula of Japan. These sacred trails were and are still used for the pilgrimage to the sacred site "Kumano Sanzan" The ' is a series of ancient pilgrimage routes that crisscross the Kii Hantō, the largest...
Shrines and Temples of Nikkō Shrines and Temples of Nikkō The UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikkō encompasses 103 buildings or structures and the natural setting around them. It is located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The buildings belong to two Shinto shrines and one Buddhist temple...	Tochigi Prefecture Tochigi Prefecture is a prefecture located in the Kantō region on the island of Honshū, Japan. The capital is the city of Utsunomiya.Nikkō, whose ancient Shintō shrines and Buddhist temples UNESCO has recognized by naming them a World Heritage Site, is in this prefecture...	913 (1999) i, iv, vi	51 ha; (373 ha)	Futarasan Jinja Futarasan Shrine , also known as Nikkō Futarasan Shrine, is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. To distinguish it from the shrine in nearby Utsunomiya. It enshrines three deities: Ōkuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone.... , Rinnō-ji Rinno-ji is a complex of 15 Buddhist temple buildings in the city of Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The site was established in the year 766 by the Buddhist monk, Shōdō. Due to its geographic isolation, deep in the mountains of Japan, the site soon attracted other Buddhist monks in search of solitude. ... , Nikkō Tōshō-gū Nikko Tosho-gu is a Shinto shrine located in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It is part of the "Shrines and Temples of Nikkō", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Tōshō-gū is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Initially built in 1617, during the Edo period, while Ieyasu's son Hidetada...
Shirakami-Sanchi Shirakami-Sanchi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Honshū, Japan. This mountainous, unspoiled expanse of virgin forest straddles both Akita and Aomori Prefectures. Of the entire 1,300 km², a tract covering 169.7 km² was included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1993...	Aomori Aomori Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province.... /Akita Prefecture Akita Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region of northern Honshu, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Akita.- History :The area of Akita has been created from the ancient provinces of Dewa and Mutsu....	663 (1993) ix	16,939 ha	Natural Site: Siebold's beech forest, mountains
Shiretoko Shiretoko Shiretoko may refer to:A place in Hokkaidō, Japan:* Shiretoko National Park** Shiretoko Peninsula*The code name for Mozilla Firefox 3.5....	Hokkaidō Hokkaido , formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...	1193 (2005) ix, x	71,100 ha	Natural Site: peninsula and marine area
Yakushima Yakushima , one of the Ōsumi Islands, is an island of about 500 km² and roughly 15,000 islanders to the south of Kyūshū in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. The Vincennes Strait separates it from Tanegashima. The highest point on the island is Miyanoura-dake at 1,935 metres...	Kagoshima Prefecture Kagoshima Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...	662 (1993) vii, ix	10,747 ha	Natural Site: warm temperate ancient forest

Location of sites

Tentative List

The Tentative List consists of sites previously submitted, but not yet accepted.

Name	Location	UNESCO data	Monuments (incomplete listing)
Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological Sites of Japan's Ancient Capitals and Related Properties Asuka-Fujiwara Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological sites of Japan’s Ancient Capitals and Related Properties is a cluster of archaeological sites in and around the late sixth- to early eighth-century capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara-kyō, Nara Prefecture, Japan. In 2007 twenty-eight monuments were submitted jointly for...	Nara Prefecture Nara Prefecture is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....	5097 (2007) ii, iii, iv, v, vi	Ishibutai Kofun Ishibutai Kofun is a kofun in Asuka, Nara, JapanIshibutai has a rectangular chamber measuring 25 ft by 11 ft by 15 ft high approached by a passage 38 ft in length and roofed by two capstones each weighing between 60 and 70 tons. Modern estimates place the largest stone at approximately 75 tons.... , Takamatsuzuka Tomb Takamatsuzuka Tomb The or "Tall Pine Tree Ancient Burial Mound" in Japanese is an ancient circular tomb in Asuka village, Nara prefecture, Japan.The tomb is thought to have been built at some time between the end of the 7th century and the beginning of the 8th century. It was accidentally discovered by a local... , Kitora Tomb Kitora Tomb The is an ancient tumulus located in the village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The tomb is believed to have been constructed some time between the 7th and early 8th centuries, but was only discovered in 1983.... , Asuka-dera Asuka-dera ', also known as ', is a Buddhist temple in Asuka, Nara. Asuka-dera is regarded as one of the oldest in Japan.-Temple complex:A number of records refer to the origin of the temple, such as the Nihongi and Fusō-ryakuki... , Oka-dera Oka-dera is a major Buddhist temple in the historic Asuka area of Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its formal name is and is associated with the Shingon-Buzan sect.... , Fujiwara-kyō Fujiwara-kyo was the Imperial capital of Japan for sixteen years, between 694 and 710. It was located in Yamato Province , having been moved from nearby Asuka. However, in the Nihon Shoki, the name Fujiwara-kyō had never been used... , Yamato Sanzan Yamato Sanzan or 'the three mountains of Yamato', in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, Japan, comprise , , and . Celebrated in Japanese poetry, they have been designated a Place of Scenic Beauty.-See also:* Monuments of Japan...
Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki is a group of twenty-six sites in Nagasaki Prefecture relating to the history of Christianity in Japan. The Nagasaki churches are unique in the sense that each tells a story about the revival of Christianity after long period of official suppression.Proposed...	Nagasaki Prefecture Nagasaki Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyūshū. The capital is the city of Nagasaki.- History :Nagasaki Prefecture was created by merging of the western half of the former province of Hizen with the island provinces of Tsushima and Iki...	5096 (2007) ii, iii, iv, v, vi	Ōura Cathedral, Urakami Cathedral Urakami Cathedral St. Mary's Cathedral, often known as Urakami Cathedral after its location Urakami, is a Roman Catholic church located in Motoomachi, Nagasaki, Japan.- History :... , Twenty-six Martyrs Monument, Hara Castle Hara Castle is a castle in Hizen Province. During the Shimabara Rebellion , the rebellious peasants were besieged there.As a result of the Shimabara Rebellion in 1637, the Shogunate decided to expel the Portuguese from Japan... , Hinoe Castle Hinoe Castle Hinoe Castle is a castle located in Minamishimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. The castle was originally built in the 13th century. It belonged to the Arima Clan, and was the residence of the Christian daimyo. In 1637, during the Shimabara Rebellion, it was burned down by the forces of the...
Fujisan	Shizuoka Shizuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun... /Yamanashi Prefecture Yamanashi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Kōfu.-Pre-history to the 14th century:People have been living in the Yamanashi area for about 30,000 years...	5098 (2007) iii, iv, v, vi	Mount Fuji Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and... , Fujisan Hongū Sengen Shrine Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha The is a Shintō shrine in the city of Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It is the ichinomiya of former Suruga Province, and is the head shrine of the 1300 Asama or Sengen shrines in the country... , Fuji Five Lakes Fuji Five Lakes is the name of the area located at the base of Mount Fuji in the Yamanashi prefecture of Japan. It has a population of about 100,000. and sits approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. The name Fuji Five Lakes comes from the fact that there are five lakes formed by previous eruptions of Mount Fuji... , Oshino Hakkai, Miho no Matsubara Miho no Matsubara is a scenic area located on the Miho Peninsula in the Shimizu-ku area of Shizuoka, Japan.-Overview:Miho no Matsubara is renowned as a seashore with beautiful green pine trees and white sands spanning over seven kilometers. It has a great scenic view of Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula across Suruga...
Hikone-jō Hikone Castle is the most famous historical site in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. This Edo period castle traces its origin to 1603 when Ii Naokatsu, son of the former daimyo Ii Naomasa, ordered its construction. The keep was originally built in 1575, as part of Ōtsu Castle, and was moved to Hikone by the Ii...	Shiga Prefecture Shiga Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan, which forms part of the Kansai region on Honshu Island. The capital is the city of Ōtsu.- History :Shiga was known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū before the prefectural system was established...	374 (1992) i, ii, iii, iv	Hikone Castle Hikone Castle is the most famous historical site in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. This Edo period castle traces its origin to 1603 when Ii Naokatsu, son of the former daimyo Ii Naomasa, ordered its construction. The keep was originally built in 1575, as part of Ōtsu Castle, and was moved to Hikone by the Ii...
Jōmon Jomon period The is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14,000 BC to 300 BC.The term jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese. This refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them... Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidō Hokkaido , formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel... , Northern Tōhoku, and other regions	Hokkaidō Hokkaido , formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel... , Aomori Aomori Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province.... /Iwate Iwate Prefecture is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido... /Akita Akita Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region of northern Honshu, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Akita.- History :The area of Akita has been created from the ancient provinces of Dewa and Mutsu.... Prefecture	5398 (2009) iii, iv	Sannai-Maruyama site Sannai-Maruyama site is a Jōmon period archaeological site in Sannai, Aomori, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The site was discovered in 1992, when Aomori Prefecture started surveying a site for a planned baseball stadium. The discovery changed the image of Jōmon-era people.-See also:...
Main Building of the National Museum of Western Art	Tokyo Tokyo , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...	5164 (2007) i, ii, vi	National Museum of Western Art
Mozu Mozu kofungun is a group of forty-seven kofun or tumuli in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Twenty-one of the burial mounds are key-hole shaped, twenty round, five rectangular, and one is of indeterminate shape... -Furuichi Furuichi kofungun is a group of one hundred and twenty-three kofun or tumuli in Fujiidera, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Thirty-one of the burial mounds are key-hole shaped, thirty round, forty-eight rectangular, and a further fourteen are of indeterminate shape... Kofungun, Ancient Tumulus Kofun Kofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan... Clusters	Osaka Prefecture Osaka Prefecture is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...	5570 (2010) ii, iii, iv	Mozu kofungun Mozu kofungun is a group of forty-seven kofun or tumuli in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Twenty-one of the burial mounds are key-hole shaped, twenty round, five rectangular, and one is of indeterminate shape... , Furuichi kofungun Furuichi kofungun is a group of one hundred and twenty-three kofun or tumuli in Fujiidera, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Thirty-one of the burial mounds are key-hole shaped, thirty round, forty-eight rectangular, and a further fourteen are of indeterminate shape...
Okinoshima Okinoshima, Munakata is an island, part of the city of Munakata, Fukuoka, Japan. It is considered sacred land by the local Munakata Taisha. The island's population consists of a single employee of the shrine. The entire island is considered a shinto kami, and the island is off limits to women. A movement exists to get... Island and Related Sites in Munakata Munakata, Fukuoka is a city located in Fukuoka Prefecture, in the north Chikuzen region of the prefecture.As of April 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 94,660 and the density of 791 persons per km 2... Region	Fukuoka Prefecture Fukuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen....	5400 (2009) ii, iii, iv, vi	Munakata Taisha
Temples, Shrines and other structures of Ancient Kamakura Kamakura's proposed World Heritage sites The city of Kamakura, Kanagawa has proposed some of its historic sites to be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sites are:* The - One of Kamakura's Seven Entrances...	Kanagawa Prefecture Kanagawa Prefecture is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period...	370 (1992) i, ii, iii, iv, vi	Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū, Wakamiya Ōji Wakamiya Oji is a 1.8 km street in Kamakura, a city in Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan, unusual because it is at the same time the city's main avenue and the approach of its largest Shinto shrine, Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū. Over the centuries Wakamiya Ōji has gone thorough an extreme change. A heavily... , Kenchō-ji Kencho-ji Kenchō-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, which ranks first among Kamakura's so-called Five Great Zen Temples and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. These temples were at the top of the Five Mountain System, a network of Zen temples started by the Hōjō... , Enkaku-ji, Kotoku-in Kotoku-in is a Buddhist temple of the Jōdo-shū sect in the city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.The temple is renowned for its , a monumental outdoor bronze statue of Amida Buddha which is one of the most famous icons of Japan.- The Great Buddha :... , Yōfuku-ji, Kamakura Nakakuchi, Wagae-jima Wakae Island is an artificial island, the oldest in Japan, now in ruins. The name means "Waka Bay Island" from Waka, Zaimokuza's old name . Its remains are located at the east end of Zaimokuza Beach near Kamakura and are still visible at low tide...
The Modern Industrial Heritage Sites in Kyūshū Kyushu is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands.... and Yamaguchi Yamaguchi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Yamaguchi, in the center of the prefecture. The largest city, however, is Shimonoseki.- History :...	Kyūshū Kyushu is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands.... /Kagoshima Prefecture Kagoshima Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Kagoshima.- Geography :Kagoshima Prefecture is located at the southwest tip of Kyushu and includes a chain of islands stretching further to the southwest for a few hundred kilometers...	5399 (2009) ii, iii, iv	Nagasaki Iron Works, Shūseikan, Takashima Coal Mine, Miike Coal Mine Miike coal mine , also known as the , was a coal mine located in the area of Ōmuta, Fukuoka and Arao, Kumamoto, Japan. Mining began in the Edo Period and the mine was nationalised in 1872. The Mitsui zaibatsu took control in 1899.... , Yawata Steel Works, Reverberatory furnace at Hagi, Shōkasonjuku Academy, Hagi castle town Hagi, Yamaguchi is a city located in Yamaguchi, Japan and was incorporated as a city on July 1, 1932. Formerly part of Abu District.On March 6, 2005, the former city of Hagi merged with the towns of Susa and Tamagawa, and the villages of Asahi, Fukue, Kawakami and Mutsumi to form the new city of Hagi.Iwami Airport...
The Sado Sado, Niigata is a city located on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, in the Chūbu region of Japan. Since 2004, the city has comprised the entire island, although not all of its total area of 855.26 km2 is urbanized... complex of heritage mines, primarily gold mines	Niigata Prefecture Niigata Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...	5572 (2010) ii, iii, iv	Sado mines
The Tomioka Silk Mill Tomioka silk mill Tomioka Silk Mill is Japan's oldest modern model silk reeling factory, established in 1872 by the government to introduce modern machine silk reeling from France and spread its technology in Japan. The factory is designated by the government as a historical site and all its buildings are... and Related Industrial Heritage	Gunma Prefecture Gunma Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the northwest corner of the Kantō region on Honshu island. Its capital is Maebashi.- History :The remains of a Paleolithic man were found at Iwajuku, Gunma Prefecture, in the early 20th century and there is a public museum there.Japan was without horses until...	5094 (2007) ii, ii, iv, v	Tomioka silk mill Tomioka silk mill Tomioka Silk Mill is Japan's oldest modern model silk reeling factory, established in 1872 by the government to introduce modern machine silk reeling from France and spread its technology in Japan. The factory is designated by the government as a historical site and all its buildings are...

External links

UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Japan UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Japan including interactive map and KML file. World Heritage Sites in Japan Database of National Cultural Properties - World Heritage (世界遺産)

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World Heritage Sites

Location of sites

Tentative List

See also

External links