List of World Heritage Sites in Japan facts for kids

Japan is an amazing country with a rich history and beautiful nature! It's also home to many special places recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. These sites are chosen because they are super important to the world's culture or natural environment. Japan joined the World Heritage Convention on June 30, 1992.

As of July 2021, Japan has twenty-five World Heritage Sites. Twenty of these are cultural sites, meaning they show important human history or art. The other five are natural sites, which means they have amazing natural beauty or unique ecosystems. Japan has also suggested five more sites and one extension for future recognition. These are currently on the Tentative List.

Japan's World Heritage Sites

Here's a list of the incredible places in Japan that are recognized as World Heritage Sites:

Name	Image	Location	UNESCO Data (Year Recognized)	What Makes It Special
Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area		Nara Prefecture	660 (1993) i, ii, iv, vi	Ancient Buddhist temples like Hōryū-ji and Hokki-ji, some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world.
Himeji-jō		Hyōgo Prefecture	661 (1993) i, iv	A stunning example of Japanese castle architecture, known for its white walls and elegant design.
Yakushima		Kagoshima Prefecture	662 (1993) vii, ix	A natural island site with ancient forests, including very old cedar trees, and unique wildlife.
Shirakami-Sanchi		Aomori/Akita Prefecture	663 (1993) ix	A large mountain area with the last untouched Siebold's beech forests in East Asia.
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto		Kyoto/Shiga Prefecture	688 (1994) ii, iv	Includes many famous temples, shrines, and castles from Kyoto's time as Japan's capital, like Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji.
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama		Gifu/Toyama Prefecture	734 (1995) iv, v	Traditional villages with unique "gassho-zukuri" farmhouses, which have steep, thatched roofs that look like hands in prayer.
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)		Hiroshima Prefecture	775 (1996) vi	The only building left standing near where the first atomic bomb exploded. It's a powerful symbol of peace.
Itsukushima Shrine		Hiroshima Prefecture	776 (1996) i, ii, iv, vi	A beautiful shrine built over water, famous for its "floating" torii gate.
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara		Nara Prefecture	870 (1998) ii, iii, iv, vi	Temples, shrines, and the old palace from Nara, which was Japan's capital in the 8th century.
Shrines and Temples of Nikkō		Tochigi Prefecture	913 (1999) i, iv, vi	A group of stunning shrines and temples in a beautiful natural setting, known for their detailed carvings and gold leaf.
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu		Okinawa Prefecture	972 (2000) ii, iii, vi	Castles (gusuku) and sacred sites from the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom, showing a unique mix of Japanese and Okinawan culture.
Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range		Wakayama/Nara/Mie Prefecture	1142 (2004) ii, iii, iv, vi	Ancient pilgrimage paths and sacred mountains like Mount Yoshino and Kōyasan, important for Buddhism and Shinto.
Shiretoko		Hokkaidō	1193 (2005) ix, x	A wild peninsula with rich marine and land ecosystems, home to brown bears, sea eagles, and seals.
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape		Shimane Prefecture	1246 (2010) ii, iii, v	An old silver mine and the surrounding towns, showing how mining shaped the landscape and people's lives.
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land		Iwate Prefecture	1277 (2011) ii, vi	Sites that show the Buddhist Pure Land concept, with beautiful temples and gardens from the 11th and 12th centuries.
Ogasawara Islands		Tokyo	1362 (2011) ix	A group of remote islands with unique plants and animals that have evolved on their own, like a "Galapagos of the Orient."
Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration		Shizuoka/Yamanashi Prefecture	1418 (2013) iii, vi	Japan's highest mountain, revered as a sacred place and a frequent subject in Japanese art and literature.
Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites		Gunma Prefecture	1149 (2014) ii, iv	A historic silk factory that played a key role in Japan's modernization and its silk industry.
Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining		Kyūshū, and Yamaguchi, Shizuoka and Iwate prefectures	1484 (2015) ii, iii, iv	Sites that show Japan's rapid industrial growth in the 19th century, including old factories, mines, and shipyards.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement		Tokyo	1321 (2016) i, ii, vi	This site includes the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, designed by famous architect Le Corbusier. It's part of a larger collection of his works around the world.
Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region		Fukuoka Prefecture	1535 (2017) ii, iii	An island where ancient rituals were performed to pray for safe sea journeys. It's a very sacred place.
Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region		Nagasaki Prefecture and Kumamoto Prefecture	1495 (2018) iii	Sites that tell the story of Christians in Japan who practiced their faith secretly for centuries.
Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun, Ancient Tumulus Clusters		Osaka Prefecture	1593 (2019) iii, iv	Large, ancient burial mounds (kofun) that were built for powerful leaders in Japan's early history.
Amami-Ōshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island		Kagoshima Prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture	1574 (2021) x	These islands are home to many rare and unique animals and plants that can only be found there.
Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan		Hokkaidō, Aomori/Iwate/Akita Prefecture	1632 (2021) iii, v	Sites from the Jōmon period, showing how people lived in Japan thousands of years ago, including large settlements.

Sites on the Tentative List

The Tentative List includes sites that Japan hopes will become World Heritage Sites in the future. They have been nominated but are still waiting for approval.

Name	Image	Location	UNESCO Data (Year Submitted)	What Makes It Special
Temples, Shrines and other structures of Ancient Kamakura		Kanagawa Prefecture	370 (1992) iii, iv	Historic sites from Kamakura, which was once the political center of Japan, including temples and shrines.
Hikone-jō		Shiga Prefecture	374 (1992) i, ii, iii, iv	A well-preserved castle from the Edo period, showing important Japanese castle architecture.
Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological Sites of Japan's Ancient Capitals and Related Properties		Nara Prefecture	5097 (2007) ii, iii, iv, v, vi	Sites from Japan's very early capitals, including ancient tombs and temple ruins.
The Sado complex of heritage mines, primarily gold mines		Niigata Prefecture	5572 (2010) ii, iii, iv	Historic gold mines on Sado Island, showing the history of mining in Japan.
Hiraizumi - Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (extension)		Iwate Prefecture	5760 (2012) ii, iii, vi	An extension to the existing Hiraizumi World Heritage Site, adding more places that show the Buddhist Pure Land concept.

Other UNESCO Recognitions in Japan

Besides World Heritage Sites, Japan also has many places and traditions recognized by UNESCO for other important reasons:

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Patrimonio de la Humanidad en Japón para niños

• Cultural Properties of Japan
• National Treasures of Japan
• Cultural Landscapes of Japan
• National parks of Japan
• Kashimagari Tunnel