Japan is a hub for some of the World's most impressive World Heritage sites. The top 8 most amazing world heritage sites in Japan are Himeji castle, Todaiji, Genbaku dome, Itsukushima shrine, Lake Kawaguchi, Kinkakuji, Mt. Fuji 5th Station and Toshogu shrine. The main characteristic of the world heritage sites in Japan is that many of them are supported by the country's diverse natural environment and its climate with four seasons, for which there are few equals in the world. Currently, there are 20 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Himeji Castle
A World Heritage site castle whose beautiful exterior has an amazing presence
A valuable castle that has survived into the present day from the early Edo Era, Himeji Castle has been admired as the most beautiful castle in Japan. It is famous as one of the three great castles in the nation.
A castle with 400 years of history as Japan’s first World Heritage site Himeji Castle is famous for having been recognized as a National Treasure and an Important Cultural Property due to its beauty among the numerous castles in Japan and its keep (the largest central structure on the castle grounds) that has retained its appearance from the Edo Era. Having been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it was the first time that Japan had been given this honor. Due to its pure white exterior and the surrounding area where many wild b...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
Phone
079 -285-1146
Price
- Adult: 1000 JPY
- Child: 300 JPY
Website
translate.city.himeji.lg.jp
Todaiji
Daibutsu is the highlight of this exemplary ancient-Nara temple, which has fascinated people for time immemorial.
People have always loved Todaiji, which was completed in the year 752 and continues to be a religious place down to this day. The essential sights include the buildings that were rebuilt after being destroyed in fires caused by wars, Daibutsu (the great Buddha), masterpieces from the geniuses Unkei and Kaikei, and the statues of the guardian deities.
Todaiji is a provincial temple established by the state to implore the gods for peace and to prevent accidents and disasters, Todaiji is a cultural property in Nara that is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to countless works of art and structures that are designated National Treasures, and is full of objects of extremely significant cultural value. Here, you will experience the dynamic atmosphere of a history spanning the ages in such objects as the main temple building, which houses Japan’s largest temple, and Daibuts...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 4:30 PM )
Phone
0742-22-5511
Price
- Adult: 500 JPY
- Child: 300 JPY
Website
www.todaiji.or.jp
The Atomic Bomb Dome
A World Heritage site, the Atomic Bomb Dome – A symbol of people’s prayers for world peace
A building heavily damaged and exposed to radiation during WWII by the first ever used atomic bomb. The building has been preserved in the state it was immediately after the bombing, and has continued to testify the horrors of an atomic bomb.
A building damaged and exposed at a very short distance from the hypocenter The building was designed by a Czech architect Jan Letzel and was opened as a hall for displaying products of Hiroshima Prefecture. It was a modern, three-story brick building with a European architectural design and a characteristic dome. Together with its reflection in the river, this elegant building was considered one of Hiroshima’s scenic spots. However, more than 90% of Hiroshima City’s buildings were blown out or burnt down by the atomic bombing on A...
Business hours
- Everyday
Phone
082-242-7831
Price
- Free
Website
honyaku.j-server.com
Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima Shrine and Seto Inland Sea – A gorgeous view of a shrine “floating” in the sea
The island of Itsukushima (also called Miyajima) is known as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. Itsukushima shrine, an invaluable site, is a visual representation of the form of the ancient Japanese Shinto worship. The gorgeous shrine and grand torii gate “floating” in the sea are spectacular.
A view drastically changed by the tides, Itsukushima shrine is constructed in the architectural style of the Heian period (794 – 1185); it is a unique building which likens the Seto Inland Sea to a pond. This grandeur, red lacquer-coated shrine blends natural and man-made beauty in perfect harmony; the view completely changes during high tide when the shrine and corridors appear as though they are floating in the sea. The entire island is considered as a holy object in which a deity resides; in the front of the holy island is Seto Inland...
Business hours
- Everyday (6:30 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
0829-44-2020
Price
- Adult: 300 JPY
- Child: 100 JPY
Website
visit-miyajima-japan.com
Lake Kawaguchi
A lake at the foot of Mt. Fuji that has been designated a World Heritage site, you can fully enjoy leisure wrapped in nature!
At the World Heritage-registered Fuji Five Lakes region, Lake Kawaguchi is the 2nd-largest in area. With lots of leisure activities and events, it is ideal as a stay-type resort. A marvelous image of Mt. Fuji is reflected on the surface of the lake.
What is wonderful about the lake is Mt. Fuji’s beautiful reflection When Mt. Fuji was registered as a World Heritage site in 2013, the Fuji Five Lakes region, including Lake Kawaguchi, was also registered as part of it. Up until that point, it was popular as a resort area filled with leisure for long holidays in summer and winter, but with its registration, it became even more of a focal point. Lake Kawaguchi is the 2nd-largest lake in area among the Fuji Five Lakes. The lake is surrounded on three sides by mountain ranges, but the sout...
Phone
0555-72-6700
Website
www.fujisan.ne.jp
Kinkakuji
Kinkakuji – the World Heritage site of gold that glitters with nature in each season
Kinkakuji was established in 1397 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The dazzling appearance of the reliquary hall on the temple grounds, which is decorated with gold leaf, is what Kinkakuji is known for.
Kinkaku glitters with gold Kinkaku is a three-story building made of wood. The first story is in the style of a Heian palace, the second story is in samurai-house style, and the third story is in the style of a Zen Buddhist temple. The second and third stories are covered in gold leaf, as is the inside of the third story, except for the floor. The Kinkakuji seen today was rebuilt in 1955 after the building was destroyed by fire in 1950. Major repairs were carried out in 1986, when the gold leaf was reapplied to achieve the appearance see...
Business hours
- Everyday (9:00 AM ~ 5:00 PM )
Phone
075-461-0013
Price
- Adult: 400 JPY
- Child: 300 JPY
Website
en.wikipedia.org
Fujinomiya 5th Station
Head for the peak via this venerable mountain route while climbing Mt. Fuji
Among the 4 mountain routes going up Mt. Fuji, this is the shortest route to the peak since this is the highest point accessible by car. The climbing difficulty is fairly high.
There are still plenty of genuine thrills going up Mt. Fuji through the Fujinomiya route despite its proximity to the peak Fujinomiya 5th Station is on the south side of the Mt. Fuji and is the gateway to the Fujinomiya route from Shizuoka Prefecture. Fujinomiya has been designated as a World Heritage site along with Mt. Fuji and in recent years, as an effect from its designation, the number of foreign tourists has also increased. There are 4 routes to climb Mt. Fuji: Subashiri, Yoshida, Gotemba and Fujinomiya. Each has its own characteristics,...
Phone
0544-27-5240
Price
- Free
Website
www.fujisan-climb.jp
Toshogu Shrine
Toshogu shrine – An extravagantly decorated World Heritage site
Toshogu enshrines Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first Shogun who established the Edo Shogunate. In addition to the spectacular, extravagantly decorated Yomemon gate, there are many highlights including the Sleeping Cat and the Three Wise Monkeys.
Animal sculptures and carvings are the highlights of Toshogu shrine Toshogu enshrines Ieyasu Tokugawa, the first Shogun (military governor) of the Edo Shogunate (government), and it is also the location of Ieyasu’s grave. It was originally a simple and plain structure, but the third Shogun Iemitsu built a host of brilliant shrines. This section introduces the must-see spots of Toshogu shrine. When the temple bell of Rinnoji is sounded at 8 o’clock in the morning, the gate of Toshogu shrine is opened. The shrine begins to get crowde...
Business hours
- Everyday (8:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM )
Phone
0288-54-0560
Price
- Adult: 1300 JPY
- Child: 450 JPY
Website
en.wikipedia.org
