10 Incredible World Heritage Sites to Visit in Japan in 2024

Japan is known for being home to an incredible number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: places recognized for their historical, cultural, or natural significance.

In the below article, we list 10 of Japan's most popular World Heritage Sites that should be on any visitor’s must-see list! As a bonus, we also list 5 remote and lesser-known sites for those adventurous enough to tread off the beaten track!

Top 10 World Heritage Sites to Visit in Japan

1. Mount Fuji
2. Kiyomizu Temple
3. Kinkakuji - The Temple of the Golden Pavilion
4. Himeji Castle
5. Todaiji Temple
6. Itsukushima Shrine
7. A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima
8. Shirakawago Village
9. Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes
10. Nikko Toshogu Shrine Complex
Bonus: 5 Lesser Known World Heritage Sites You Should Know About!

1. Mount Fuji

Designated a World Heritage Site in 2013, the iconic Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain and is seen as a symbol of the nation. It has historically been viewed as a sacred site and has been depicted in numerous works of literature and art throughout the centuries, perhaps most famously in the woodblock prints of Katsushika Hokusai.

The mountain’s elegant, almost symmetrical shape makes it an unforgettable sight, and it has long been a hugely popular destination for visitors. Hundreds of thousands of climbers flock to Mount Fuji each summer, and throughout the year visitors try to catch a glimpse of the majestic mountain from locations such as Kawaguchiko and Hakone.

2. Kiyomizu Temple

One of the most beloved temples in all of Japan, the 1200-year-old Kiyomizu Temple is registered as a part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and is a must-see site for many travelers to the ancient city.

Views from the temple’s observation deck are absolutely breathtaking, and change throughout the seasons. Kiyomizu also happens to be located in Kyoto's historical Higashiyama district, known for being one of the most photogenic places in all of Japan.

3. Kinkakuji: Temple of the Golden Pavilion

The unforgettable Kinkakuji, also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion and officially as Rokuonji Temple, is another site registered among the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. This truly striking Zen temple is famous for its shining gold color, a result of its first two storeys being covered in delicate gold leaf. It is also known for the stunning reflection it casts in the pond beneath it.

The temple has a fascinating history. Originally built in 1397, it has been destroyed and reconstructed numerous times, most recently in 1950 after a young monk intentionally burnt it down. The gold-plated phoenix at the top of the temple seems to be a very fitting symbol, as Kinkakuji has risen from the ashes multiple times and can still be visited today.

4. Himeji Castle

Originally constructed at the beginning of the 17th century, the breathtaking Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s last remaining original castles, and is a fantastic example of the elegance of their architecture.

Nicknamed Shirasagijo, or the White Heron Castle, it is famous for its stunning white walls, which add to the elegance of its design. The incredible sight of this towering, six-floor structure is truly unforgettable.

5. Todaiji Temple

Registered among the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, Todaiji Temple was historically one of Japan’s most important, and was once an extremely powerful center of Buddhism. Built in 728, the temple’s massive main hall was once the largest wooden structure in the world. It houses the incredible 15-meter-tall Daibutsu, one of Japan’s largest bronze Great Buddha statues.

The area around the temple is famously populated with deer, and some will even “bow" when offered the “deer senbei” crackers which can be purchased in Nara Park. The deer are traditionally believed to be messengers of the gods.

6. Itsukushima Shrine

Located on the stunning Miyajima Island (also known as Itsukushima) in Hiroshima Prefecture, the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine is famous for appearing to float on the water at high tide, as well as for its iconic floating red torii gate.

The original shrine building is said to have been constructed in the year 593, and it has an incredibly long history. Miyajima itself was once considered to be a sacred island, and ordinary people were not allowed to set foot on it. Today it is a hugely popular tourist destination, both for the shrine and also the island's breathtaking scenery and wild deer.

7. The A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima

The haunting sight of the ruins of Hiroshima’s former Industrial Promotion Hall serve as a memorial to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, which took place on August 6, 1945, and marks one of the most destructive single events in human history. The building was located very close to the hypocenter of the bomb's detonation and was the only one in the surrounding area to remain standing. Every single person within the building died in the bombing.

Its skeletal remains stand as a testament to the horrors of nuclear warfare, as well as being an important symbol of the desire for peace.

8. Shirakawago Village

Located deep in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, the charming traditional village of Shirakawago truly looks like something from another time.

This fairytale-like village is famous for its Gassho-zukuri houses - traditional thatched cottages constructed with steep roofs which resemble hands in prayer. Homes built in this old architectural style are able to withstand the heavy snows of Gifu’s harsh winters.

The area was once very isolated from the rest of Japan and its traditional buildings and landscapes have remained relatively unchanged. Today it is possible to visit and even stay in one of Shirakawago’s distinctive homes.

9. Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes

The ancient pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodo have been used for over a thousand years, and people continue to walk them today. Located in the Kii Peninsula of Wakayama Prefecture, the routes connect three important Shinto shrines: Hongu Taisha, Nachi Taisha, and Hayatama Taisha.

Walking the trails has historically been considered a deeply spiritual experience, and the pilgrimage routes run through the stunning nature of the region. One of the most famous points on the trek is the breathtaking view of Nachi Taisha's pagoda, sitting against the incredible backdrop of Nachi Falls. Kumano Kodo is currently one of only two pilgrimage routes in the entire world to be registered as a UNESCO site.

10. Nikko Toshogu Shrine Complex

Photo by Pixta
Located in the middle of a forest, Nikko's stunning Toshogu Shrine Complex is considered to be one of Japan’s most memorable historic sites. The magnificently decorated buildings of the complex feature vivid colors as well as elaborate carvings, and a combination of Buddhist and Shinto influences are apparent.

Japan’s most famous samurai lord, Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616), is enshrined within the more than 400-year-old complex, and it is a must-see location for those fascinated by Japan's feudal history.

Bonus: 5 Lesser Known World Heritage Sites You Should Definitely Know About!

1. The Ogasawara Islands

The mysterious Ogasawara Islands, which are part of Tokyo, make up one of the most remote, isolated locations in all of Japan.

The journey alone is something of an adventure - the only way to access the islands is by a 24+ hour ferry ride from Tokyo, and as boats back to the mainland only depart about once a week, anyone who visits must remain there for at least that amount of time.

The archipelago is made up of several small islands, including the largest and best-known, Chichijima and Hahajima. The area is known for its unique, isolated ecosystems, as well as for being home to a huge number of endangered species. Ogasawara’s natural scenery is nothing short of stunning, and the archipelago's pristine beaches and vast forests are like no other place in the world.

2. Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

The incredible Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Shimane Prefecture operated for a period of around 400 years from the time of its discovery in 1526, and at the height of its operations was responsible for the production of approximately a third of the world’s silver.

Today the area is known both for its historical and technological significance, as well as for the stunning natural scenery surrounding the abandoned mine shafts, which have over time been reclaimed by nature.

3. Yakushima Island

The ancient, moss-covered forests of Yakushima are surely a sight to behold. Located off the coast of Kagoshima, part of Japan’s southern Kyushu island, this small island is famously said to have been one of the key inspirations behind Hayao Miyazaki’s animated masterpiece, Princess Mononoke.

One of the earliest places in Japan to be recognized as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, Yakushima was awarded this status due to its incredible natural beauty and the value of its unique ancient ecosystem, which is dominated by towering, 1000-year-old Japanese cedars.

4. Amami Oshima Island

Recognized as a Natural Heritage Site in 2021 along with Iriomote Island and Tokunoshima Island, the gorgeous Amami Oshima is known for its vast mangrove rainforests, which are home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem, as well as several unique species of animals. These include the extremely rare Amami Rabbit, which is often referred to as a living fossil.

Amami Oshima is the largest of the Amami Islands, an archipelago that is part of Kagoshima Prefecture but located very close to Japan’s southernmost Okinawa. Like Okinawa, Amami is famous for its stunning natural scenery, clear blue oceans, and unique local culture.

5. Shirakami-Sanchi Mountain Range

Located along the border between Aomori and Akita Prefectures in the northern Tohoku Region, Shirakami-Sanchi was one of the first sites in Japan to be recognized as being of great natural significance, along with Yakushima. Home to one of the world’s largest ancient beech forests, the mountainous area is also the habitat for the endangered Golden Eagle and Black Woodpecker.

The untouched beech forests of this vast natural landscape are truly breathtaking, and it is home to some stunning natural spots, such as the mysterious Aoike, a striking blue pond with waters so clear that they appear to glow in the sunlight.

Explore Japan’s Many Incredible World Heritage Sites!

Whether you’re fascinated by Japan’s history and culture or captivated by its incredible natural landscapes, be sure not to miss out on visiting the country’s many incredible UNESCO Sites while you’re there.

Main image by Pixta