UNESCO World Heritage Sites

World Heritage Sites are declared by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, abbreviation for UNESCO with motto "Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration." It is marvelous that Japan as a small island country contains 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, that 19 cultural ones and 4 natural ones, Which indicates the determination and ability of Japan at environment and culture conservation.

Mt. Fuji

Mount Fuji is an active volcano, which most recently erupted in 1708. It stands on the border between Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures and can be seen from Tokyo and Yokohama on clear days.

Kinkaku-ji Temple

Kinkakuji is formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizudera was originally associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools within Japanese Buddhism, but formed its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle is both as a national treasure and a world heritage site. Unlike many other Japanese castles, it was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire and survives to this day as one of the country's twelve original castles.

Itsukushima Shrine

The centuries-old Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima is the source of both the island's fame and its name.

Todaiji Temple

Todaiji is one of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867).

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for its lavish decorations and ornate details. This 400-year-old shrine houses the remains of Edo period's founder, Ieyasu Tokugawa.

Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was ranked first among the city's five great Zen temples, and is now registered as a world heritage site. Tenryuji is the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Atomic Bomb Dome

The A-Bomb Dome, also known as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, is what remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall.