UNESCO World Heritage Sites

54 results

Culture

The UNESCO Mozu-Furuichi Tombs

Serena Ogawa

The Mozu-Furuichi tombs of Osaka Prefecture became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019! It's a great place to get in touch..

Osaka 3 4

Activities

Kumano Kodo Iseji: Binshiyama and the Magose-Toge Pass

Michael Groen

The Magose-Toge Pass is known for its beautiful stone path which has been maintained for multiple centuries.

Wakayama 61 2

Culture

World Heritage Nakijin Castle

Bonson Lam

We still don't know who constructed Nakijin, though the excavations show that it was started in the 13th century. The fact that..

Okinawa 2

Culture

Daigoji Temple in Kyoto

Peter Sidell

Daigoji (醍醐寺) is a Buddhist temple found in an attractive forest setting in the ancient capital of Kyoto. An exquisite trad..

Kyoto 1 1

Culture

Yawata Steel Works

Jaclynn Seah

Visit a UNESCO World Heritage site and learn about the role Kitakyushu played in Japan's rise in modern industrialization

Fukuoka

Activities

Hiking the Yagyu Kaido

Bryan Baier

Hiking the Yagyu Kaido a Samurai Road in a Primeval Forest

Nara 1 1

Activities

Practicing Shugendo on Mt. Omine

Bryan Baier

Practicing Shugendo on Mt. Omine

Nara 33 6

Culture

Yoshino Mikumari Shrine

Bryan Baier

Yoshino Mikumari Shrine

Nara 1

Culture

Kumano Hongu Shrine & Giant Torii

Tomoko Kamishima

Kumano Hongu Shrine & Giant Torii Gate: One of the three great shrines of Kumano, Hongu Shrine saves ones life in the future.

Wakayama 2 1

Culture

Shirakawa-Go Village

Michael Mighty

Highlights of the Shirakawa-Go Village in Gifu Prefecture. 

Gifu 19 5

Beauty & Spa

Yunotsu Hot Spring

Tristan Scholze

Yunotsu Hot Spring is small port town with historic bathhouses, fine inns, classy cafes, and World Heritage Site status in Shimane,..

Shimane 504 2

Culture

Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara

Celine Villeneuve

Discover the wonders of Nara's Kasuga Taisha Shrine.

Nara 4

13

Culture

Futarasan Chugushi Shrine in Snow

Todd Wojnowski

Futarasan Chugushi is a beautiful shrine on the shores of Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. Its beauty is magnified in..

Tochigi 1

Activities

Oshino Hakkai

Cathy Cawood

Tourist area centered around 8 spring fed ponds at the base of Mount Fuji has a village of thatched roof houses and a working water..

Yamanashi 42 8

8

Culture

Nara's 1300-year-old wood buildings

Keigetsu Watanabe

Nara's Horyuji Temple, with wooden buildings over 1,300-year-old, was the first World Heritage site in Japan.

Nara

Recommended Culture

Todaiji Temple in Nara

Stefanus Husin

The largest wooden structure in the world and iconic landmark of Nara city. 

Nara 1 31

Culture

Kamigamo Shrine: A Place of Healing

Tomoko Kamishima

HEALING SPOT: Kamigamo Shrine is known for its strong healing power. And before Kyoto became capital of Japan, it was already ..

Kyoto

Culture

Kiyomizu Temple and Otowa Waterfall

Stefanus Husin

Kiyomizudera, also known as the Pure Water Temple is one of more famous temples in Japan. This temple is located up in a hill in..

Kyoto 23 2

Culture

A Visit to Horyuji

Su Stori

A visit to Horyuji Temple, Nara: Art, history, nature and lovely food around Japan.

Nara

Culture

Koke-dera (Saiho-ji) Temple

Tomoko Kamishima

Koke-dera (Saiho-ji) Temple: Moss carpeted, Zen practice garden has a unique atmosphere that has attracted famous people such ..

Kyoto 6

6

Culture

Tomioka Silk Mill

Masato Kitamura

Tomioka Silk Mill is Japan's first silk reeling factory and it symbolizes Japan's industrialization from the 19th century...

Gunma 1

Culture

Koyasan: Heart of Shingon Buddhism

Allison Morris

If you’re planning a trip to the Kansai area and love Japanese culture and religious history, Koyasan needs to make its way on..

Wakayama 1

7

Activities

Nachi Falls, Wakayama

Martijn Beckers

A school trip to Wakayama prefecture brought us to Nachi Falls. The 133 meter drop, and the fantastic views from the summit sh..

Wakayama 2

Activities

Finding Shirakami Sanchi

Bonson Lam

The steep mountains and remote forests have sheltered this paradise from mankind, and like nature's amphitheater, you can see..

Aomori 11 2

Activities

Mozu Daisenryo Kofun

Bonson Lam

It is believed that Mozu Kofun was the burial place for Emperor Nintoku, who lived in the fourth century, but archeologists have..

Osaka 55 3

Culture

Kyoto Ginkaku-ji Temple

Tomoko Kamishima

Kyoto's Ginkaku: Long ago, the outer walls of the second level were painted pure white, and colorful honeycomb patterns, horizontal..

Kyoto 3

Culture

History of Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji Temple

Tomoko Kamishima

Kyoto Kinkaku-ji Temple: The shining golden pavilion and double-layered garden are both splendid!

Kyoto 5 10

Culture

Kyoto Ninna-ji Temple, Omuro Palace

Tomoko Kamishima

Ninna-ji Temple, established in 888, is a balanced blend of aristocratic elegance and Buddhism simplicity. Its zig-zagging wooden..

Kyoto 1

11

Culture

Five-story Pagoda of To-ji Temple

Tomoko Kamishima

The five-story pagoda at To-ji Temple is both beautiful, and extremely strong. Those that designed the temple figured out a way..

Kyoto 2

Culture

Gunkanjima, or Battleship Island

Senén Germade

The actual name of this island is Hashima. It is located around 4.5km west of the Nagasaki Peninsula, a very small island with..

Nagasaki

Activities

Chūson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi

Tom Roseveare

Hiraizumi is a beautiful, rural town in southern Iwate and makes for a spectacular introduction to both Tohoku and historical Japan...

Iwate 4 3

Culture

Nara Toshodai-ji Temple in Autumn

Tomoko Kamishima

Toshodai-ji Temple in Nara is the head temple of the Ritsu sect of Buddhism in Japan. The Ritsu sect mainly studies and practices..

Nara

Culture

Byōdō-in Temple, Uji

Ariane Mignault

The Byōdō-in Temple as represented on the Japanese 10 yen coin can still be seen and visited today.

Kyoto 2 5

Activities

The Shiretoko Peninsula

R.S. Reynolds

Exploring the range of activities and variety of wildlife along the Shiretoko Peninsula and National Park in Northeastern Hokkaido..

Hokkaido

Activities

Rinnoji Buddhist Temple Sendai

Justin Velgus

The Rinnoji Buddhist Temple was originally constructed by the Date Clan in Fukushima, but then it was relocated to Miyagi when Sendai..

Miyagi 18

Area

Hagi

Situated on the scenic north coast of Yamaguchi on the Japan Sea, Hagi is a delightful small town rich in history. This was where the Mōri clan built up a great power base during the Sengoku..

16

Culture

Katsuren Castle Ruins

Michael Flemming

Katsuren Castle Ruins in Uruma City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Point of control of Katsuren Peninsula and surroundings until..

Okinawa 35 2

Culture

National Museum of Western Art

Todd Wojnowski

National Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park, Tokyo, is the premier collection of art from the Western tradition in Japan. It hosts..

Tokyo

9

Culture

The Tamaudun Royal Mausoleum

Michael Flemming

Built in 1501 by King Sho Shin as a new resting place for his father King Sho En, Tamaudun is the Royal Mausoleum of the Second..

Okinawa 10

Culture

Shikinaen Royal Garden

Michael Flemming

The Shikinaen Royal Garden was the largest secondary residence of the Ryukyu Royal Family and used to entertain family members and..

Okinawa 2

7

Culture

Sonohyan Utaki World Heritage Site

Michael Flemming

Sonohyan Utaki was the stone gate used by the Ryukyuan King as a prayer point and exit when departing Shuri Castle. It is one of..

Okinawa

Culture

Nishi-Hongan-ji - Central Kyoto

Katherine Moore

This large temple is one of a historic pair just north of Kyoto station. Out of the way of the main tourist areas, is a great way..

Kyoto 1

Culture

Zakimi Castle Ruins and Museum

Michael Flemming

Zakimi Castle Ruins & Museum in Yomitan Village Okinawa offers romantic views of Central Okinawa

Okinawa 30 3

Culture

Glover Garden in Nagasaki

Alena Eckelmann

Glover Garden in Nagasaki: posh residences of former foreign VIP residents in a hill on the Minami-Yamate hill

Nagasaki

Culture

Exploring Himeji Castle

Ben Humphreys

The most visited castle in Japan, Himeji Castle, nicknamed the “White Heron” has been standing proudly on top of a hill called..

Hyogo 1 3

Culture

Kofukuji Temple in Nara

Todd Wojnowski

Kofukuji is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara."

Nara

Culture

Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto

Bonson Lam

Home of the Aoi Matsuri or the Hollyhock Leaf Crest Festival, which blossomed throughout Japan when the Tale of Genji was written..

Kyoto 40

Culture

Nijo Castle: Former Imperial Residence

Katrina Webber

Built under the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nijo-jo has served as the home of the Tokugawa shogun, an Imperial property, and is now..

Kyoto

10

Activities

Yakushima Island

Josef Diermair

“While walking among these trees you have the feeling of the woods...and the entire quality of all the trees”.

Kagoshima 1 6

Culture

Shuri-jo Castle

Peter Sidell

A blend of Japanese and Chinese cultures, Shuri-jo castle was the seat of Ryukyuan royalty before the Okinawan islands became part..

Okinawa 3 5

Area

Nikko

Welcome to Nikko! Nikko, located in the northwest corner of Tochigi Prefecture, is known for its picturesque beauty, and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Nikko boasts ..

Culture

Itsukushima Floating Shrine

JJ Walsh

This floating red shrine with a lush green forest backdrop is a stunning scene at the top of any sightseers list

Hiroshima

Culture

Hiroshima Peace Memorial: A-Bomb Dome

Paul Walsh

The iconic remains of the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, have become a symbol of both the horror of nuclear war..

Hiroshima

Culture

Gangoji Temple

Paul Hackshaw

Gangoji Temple is a World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara. Gangoji Temple was established in 588 as part..

Nara

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