World Heritage Sites in Japan

Site nameEntered
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area 1993
Shirakami-Sanchi1993
Yakushima1993
Himeji-jo1993
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)1994
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama1995
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine 1996
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) 1996
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara1998
Shrines and Temples of Nikko 1999
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu2000
Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range2004
Shiretoko2005
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape2007
Hiraizumi–Temples, Gardens, Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land2011
Ogasawara Islands2011

Tentative list of Japan
Asuka-Fujiwara : Archaeological sites of Japan's Ancient Capitals and Related Properties
Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki
Fujisan
Hikone-Jo (castle)
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (extension)
Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô, Northern Tôhoku, and other regions
Main Building of the National Museum of Western Art
Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun, Ancient Tumulus Clusters
Okinoshima Island and Related Sites in Munakata Region
Temples, Shrines and other structures of Ancient Kamakura
The Modern Industrial Heritage Sites in Kyushu and Yamaguchi
The Sado complex of heritage mines, primarily gold mines
The Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage

Honshu (June 2012)

During the second part of my 2012 trip across Japan, I spent many hours on the shinkansen and on local trains, trying to reach 3 rather remote WHS. I had been to Japan's main island twice before and had seen the main sights like Kyoto already. I made fresh new discoveries however, for example while cycling the Kibi plain near Okayama and in the lovely new WHS of Hiraizumi.

. Shirakami-Sanchi
. Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine
. Hiraizumi


Ryukyu Islands (May 2012)

The Ryukyu Islands are the chain of islands that stretches from the southwest from the Japanese main islands to Taiwan. Two WHS can be found here: the Gusuku of Okinawa and the forest island of Yakushima. I visited both during the first week of my third Japan trip. Although they are well on the Japanese tourist trail, the islands are relatively unknown to western travellers.

. Gusuku of Ryukyu
. Yakushima


Japan, again (April 2003)

My first real trip abroad this year took me to Japan, one of my favourite countries in the world. I stayed in Kyoto for a week, and after that travelled by train and bus to Koyasan, Matsumoto, Tsumago and Osaka. Both Koyasan and Matsumoto are lobbying for worldheritage status at the moment. In the Matsumoto-museum they now even have a wonderful exhibition of large photos of world heritage sites around the world. Really a must see if you're a fan like me!

. Ancient Kyoto