What are Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

There are 14 World Heritage sites in Japan inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List (as of July, 2008). It consists of 11 cultural heritage sites and 3 natural heritage sites.
*Sites are listed chronologically by year of inscription.

Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu

Photo by Shizuko Mishima

Year of Inscription: 2000 / Culture Heritage
Location: Okinawa Prefecture
Gusuku are ruins of castles found in Okinawa and Amami islands.

Nakijin-gusuku-ato, Naijin Village

Zakimi-gusuku-ato, Yomitan Village

Katsuren-gusuku-ato, Uruma-city

Nakagusukujo-ato, Nakagusuku Village

Shurijo-ato, Nahacity

Sonohyanutaki-ishimon

Tamaudun, Naha-city

Shikinaen, Naha-city

Seifautaki, Nanjo-city

Photo: Shurijo

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

Photo by Koichi Kamoshida /G etty Images

Year of Inscription: 2004 / Culture Heritage
Location: Mie Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, and Wakayama Prefecture

Yoshino and Oomine: Yoshonoyama / Yoshinomikumarijinja Shrine / Kinpu-jinja / Kinpusenji / Yoshimizu-jinja / Oominesanji

Kumano Sanzan: Kumano Hongu Taisha at Tanabe-city / Kumanohayatama Taisha at Shingu-city / Kumano Nachi Taisha at Nachikatsuura-cho / Seigantoji at Nachikatsuura-cho / Nachi Otaki Falls / Nachigenshirin Forest / Fudarakusanji

Kouyasan: Nifutsuhime-jinja at Katsuragi-cho / Kongoubuji at Koya-cho / Jisonin Temple at Kudoyama-cho / Niukanshoubuji-jinja at Kudoyama-cho

Pilgrimage Routes, including Kumano River at Nara, Wakayama, and Mie prefectures

Photo: Nachi Fire Festival near Nachi Waterfall

Shiretoko

Photo by Jeremy Woodhouse / Getty Images

Year of Inscription: 2005 / Natural Heritage
Location: Shari-cho and Rausu-cho, Hokkaido Shiretoko Peninsula is located in eastern Hokkaido and faces the Sea of Okhotsk. Ryuhyo (drift ice) cruises are popular tourist attractions in winter.

Photo: Rausu Town in Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido

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