Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Temple Area

Year of Inscription: 1993 / Culture Heritage
Location: Ikaruga-cho, Nara Prefecture
Access: 20 minute walk from JR Horyuji Station to Horyuji
The main hall and the five-story pagoda in Horyuji Temple are known as the oldest wooden buildings in the world.

Himeji-jo

Year of Inscription: 1993 / Culture Heritage
Location: Himeji-city, Hyogo Prefecture
Access: About 15 minute walk from JR Himeji Station
Himeji-jo is known as the most beautiful castle in Japan. It's called as shirasagi-jo (white heron castle) because of the white walls.

For more information:
Himeji Convention & Visitors Bureau

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto

Year of Inscription: 1994 / Culture Heritage
Location: Kyoto Prefecture and Shiga Prefecture

• Kamigamo Shrine (Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja)
• Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja)
• Toji Temple (Kyouougokoku-ji), Minami-ku Kyoto-city
• Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizu-dera)
• Enryakuji Temple, Otsu-city
• Daigoji Temple, Fushimi-ku Kyoto-city
• Ninnaji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Byodoin Temple, Uji-city
• Ujigami-jinja Shrine, Uji-city
• Kozanji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Saihoji Temple, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Tenryuji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Kinkakuji Temple (Rokuon-ji), Kita-ku Kyoto-city
• Ginkakuji Temple (Jisho-ji), Sakyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Ryouanji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Honganji Temple, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Nijojo Castle, Kyoto-city

Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Year of Inscription: 1995 / Culture Heritage
Location: Gifu Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture
Access: From Nagoya, it takes about 3 hours by bus from Meitetsu Bus Center to Shirakawago. From Takayama, it takes about one hour by bus to Shirakawago. (Schedules vary by season.)
It takes about 50 minutes by JR train from JR Takaoka Station to Johana Station in Toyama. From JR Johana Station, it takes about 40 minutes by bus to Gokayama.
These areas located in northern Gifu are known for its heavy snowfalls in winter, and there are interesting gasshozukuri-style houses with thatched roofs.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial

Year of Inscription: 1996 / Culture Heritage
Location: Hiroshima-city, Hiroshima Prefecture
Access: Hiroshima Dentetsu Line Genbaku-Dome-mae Stop
Genbaku Dome (Atomic Bomb Dome) is a building destroyed by the atomic bombing in 1945 which was kept as a reminder of Hiroshima's tragedy.

For more information:
Atomic Bomb Dome Website by Hiroshima-city (Japanese version)

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine

Year of Inscription: 1996 / Culture Heritage
Location: Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Access: It takes about 30 minutes from JR Hiroshima Station to Miyajima-guchi Station by JR local train. It takes 10 minutes from Miyajima-guchi Pier to Miyajima Pier by JR West Miyajima Ferry or Miyajima Matsudai Kisen ship. 10 minute walk from Miyajima Pier to Itsukushima Shrine.
Itsukushima Shrine is situated in Miyajima Island (Itsukushima) which is about 8 miles southwest of the center of Hiroshima-city in the Seto Inland Sea. For more information: Miyajima Sightseeing Official Website

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

Year of Inscription: 1998 / Culture Heritage
Location: Nara Prefecture
Japan's ancient capital called Heijo-kyo was located in Nara. Nara is full of historical landmarks. It's located east of Osaka-city and south of Kyoto-city and is easily accessible from both cities.

For more information:
Nara World Heritage Information by Nara City Tourist Association

Shrines and Temples of Nikko

Year of Inscription: 1999 / Culture Heritage
Location: Nikko-city, Tochigi Prefecture
Access: It takes about two hours by Tobu Railway limited express train Asakusa Station to Nikko Station.
Nikko is located about 70 miles north of central Tokyo. There are lots of historical sites to see in Nikko.

Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu

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

For more information:
Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau Website

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

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

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape

Year of Inscription: 2007 / Culture Heritage
Location: Ooda-city, Shimane Prefecture
Access: JR Sanin Honsen Line Oodashi Station
The area produced minerals for about 400 years from the early 16th century to the early 20th century.

Fore more information:
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Page by Shimane Prefecture

Hiraizumi

"Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land"