Japan, one of the famous nations known for its rich culture, and tradition offers a captivating glimpse into its ancient heritage and modern innovations. There are around 25 UNESCO world heritage sites in Japan attracting a large number of tourists because of the site’s distinguishing features. Here you will get a brief idea of why these heritage sites are famous.

Currently, there are a total of 20 cultural and 5 natural world heritage sites in Japan. Here is a list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan:

Here is a list of cultural world heritage sites in Japan, according to the year of inclusion:

1. Horyu-ji (1993)

Located in the Nara prefecture, this temple is known to be one of the most ancient wooden structures globally. This temple’s large grounds are divided into two main parts -the Western Precinct (Saiin Garan) and the Eastern Precinct (Toin Garan).

In between them, there is the modern Gallery of Temple Treasures, which contains a remarkable collection of Buddhist artwork and valuable artefacts from the temple.

Location: 1-1-1 Horyuji Sannai, Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara 636-0115, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: November to February

Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry Fee:

• For adults ¥1500/person
• For children ¥750/person

2. Himeji Castle (1993)

This world heritage site in Japan is widely known for its striking white exterior. This five-story castle tower rises over 90 metres above sea level, attracting many visitors year-round as Japan’s largest castle.

It is also known as the ‘Shirasagi-jo’ in Japanese, which implies ‘White Heron Castle’ due to its beautiful white appearance resembling a heron in flight.

Location: 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 670-0012, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: July to August

Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry Fee: ¥1000/person (castle only) and ¥1050/person (castle and nearby Kokoen Garden)

3. Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (1994)

It includes 17 historical locations in Kyoto and Shiga prefectures. These sites, such as Kiyomizu Temple, Nijo-jo, and Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), are renowned for their excellent preservation and represent ancient Kyoto’s rich history.

From the 8th to the 17th century, Kyoto played a central role in shaping Japanese architecture and gardens, significantly impacting Japanese culture.

Location: Kansai region, Honshu, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: March to April and October to December

Hours of Operation:

• Kiyomizu Temple - 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM, depending on the season
• Nijo-jo - 8:45 AM to 4:00 PM
• Kinkakuji Temple - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry Fee:

• Kiyomizu Temple - ¥400/person
• Nijo-jo -  ¥620/person (additional  ¥410 to enter Ninomaru Palace)
• Kinkakuji Temple - ¥400/person

4. Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (1995)

Shirakawago and  Gokayama are famous because of their traditional ‘Gassho-zukuri’ houses which are around 250 years old. The houses are characterised by steep thatched roofs resembling Buddhist monks’ folded hands in prayer. 

Ogimachi, a village in Shirakawa-go is one of the famous attractions there. Additionally, the most beautiful villages in Gokayama are Suganuma and Ainokura.

Location: Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu 501-5627, Japan 

Ideal Time to Explore:  May, August, September, and October

Hours of Operation: Opens 24X7

Entry Fee: Free

5. Hiroshima Peace Memorial (1996)

Also known as Genbaku Dome, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial stands as the sole structure that remained intact after encountering the first atomic bomb explosion on 6th August 1945.

This monument serves as a powerful symbol of humanity’s development as the most destructive force in history. It also carries a message of hope for worldwide peace and the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Location: 1-10 Otemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0051, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: April and May

Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Entry Fee:  ¥200/person

6. Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (1996)

It is a Shinto shrine, one of the famous cultural heritage sites in Japan on a faraway island named ‘Miyajima’, and you can only get there by ferry. This shrine attracts people with its beautiful buildings standing over the water.

The giant red Torii Gate is the biggest attraction that seems to float on the water. You can also find many lively shops and restaurants serving local dishes like Okonomiyaki and Momiji-Manju.

Location: Itsukushima, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: March to November

Hours of Operation: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM (March to October), 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM (January to February and October to November), 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM (December)

Entry Fee: ¥300/person ( ¥500/person for combined entry in the Treasure Hall)

7. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (1998)

The Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara include various palaces, temples, shrines, and forests. It is one of the UNESCO sites in Japan consisting of 8 historical sites: Kofukuji, Gangoji, Todaiji, Yakushiji, Toshodaiji, Kasuga Taisha, Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest, and Heijo Palace Remains.

Location: Nara Prefecture, Kansai region, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: October to November and March to May

Hours of Operation:

• Kofukuji - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Gangoji - Opens 24X7
• Todaiji - 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Yakushiji - 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry Fee:

• Kofukuji - ¥500/person
• Gangoji - Free
• Todaiji - ¥500/person
• Yakushiji - ¥500/person

8. Nikko (1999)

Nikko has been a focal point for Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for a long time, leading to the presence of several significant temples and shrines in the area. It is famous for Tosho-Gu, a lavishly decorated shrine in Japan.

Moreover, it is also well known for its natural landscape of lush woodlands, hills, waterfalls, rivers, babbling streams, and picturesque lakes.

Location: Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, Nikko, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: May

Hours of Operation: Open 24X7

Entry Fee: ¥1300/person

9. Ryukyu (2000)

The old name for Okinawa prefecture is Ryukyu. It is best to visit this beautiful island during summer. The Okinawan castles, called ‘gusuku’ in the Okinawan language, are some of the most colourful and clear symbols that show the special history of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The most famous one is Shurijo Castle, which was burned down in 2019, and now it is a public park.

Location: Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore:  March to May and September to December

Hours of Operation: Open 24X7

Entry Fee: ¥400/person and free for children (for visiting Shurijo Castle)

10. Kiisanchi (2004)

Kiisanchi refers to hilly areas found mainly in the Kii Peninsula, which covers Osaka, Mie, Nara, and Wakayama prefectures in the Kansai region of Japan. It has many ancient paths that lead to important historical sites like the Kumano Sanzan, Yoshino and Omine, and Koyasan which are three significant shrines nestled deep within sacred forests. This place serves as a central location for the blending of Shinto and Buddhism.

Location: Hongu Cho Shizukawa, Tanabe, Wakayama 647-1714, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: October and November

Hours of Operation: No information available

Entry Fee: Free

11. Iwami Ginzan (2007)

Iwami Ginzan, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan is located in Shimane prefecture and is a historic silver mine. Aside from the mine ruins, other appealing attractions captivate visitors.

'Omori Town' is a charming small town with numerous traditional Japanese houses and historical sites like temples and shrines. 'Yunotsu Onsen' is a peaceful town known for providing a rejuvenating hot spring experience.

Location: Oda, Shimane Prefecture, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: December to January

Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Entry Fee:

• For adults ¥310/person 
• For children ¥150/person

12. Hiraizumi (2011)

Hiraizumi, situated in Iwate prefecture, is a town that earned recognition in 2011 when five cultural sites became part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Its culture mainly revolves around the Oshu-Fujiwara Clan.

Among the designated cultural sites are two temples, Chusonji and Motsuji, as well as the remains of two other temples, Kanjizaio-In and Muryoko-In, along with Mt. Kinkei.

Location: Nishiwaki District, Iwate, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: January, February, and December

Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (until 4:30 PM from November to February)

Entry Fee: ¥800/person (for visiting Chuson-ji Temple)

13. Fujisan (2013)

It is known for Mount Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan. This iconic mountain straddles the borders of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures. Japanese people have cherished this 3,776m peak for generations, considering it a symbol featured in renowned poems and ancient writings. 

Mount Fuji greets you with a distinct look that transforms with each season, appearing particularly graceful when covered in snow from autumn to spring. 

Location: Mt. Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan., Tokyo

Ideal Time to Explore: March to May, October to November and December to January

Hours of Operation:  9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Entry Fee: ¥1000/person

14. Tomioka Silk Mill (2014)

Tomioka Silk Mill stands as a contemporary silk reeling factory located in Tomioka city, Gunma prefecture.  It was founded as Japan’s inaugural model silk reeling factory in 1872, making a substantial contribution to the nation’s development and modernization. 

Location: 1-1 Tomioka, Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture

Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year

Hours of Operation:  9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Entry Fee: 

• For adults ¥1000/person 
• For students ¥250/person (high school and university)

15. Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution (2015)

The Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution can be found in eight prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Yamaguchi, Shizuoka, and Iwate. These historical sites played a significant role in the iron and steel, shipbuilding, and coal industries. One such site is Hashima, also known as Gunkanjima in Nagasaki.

Location: Kyushu-Yamaguchi region

Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year

Hours of Operation: No proper data is available

Entry Fee: No proper data available

16. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (2016)

The National Museum of Western Art, one of the famous UNESCO world heritage sites in Japan is situated in Tokyo’s Ueno Park and was founded in 1959. It received recognition as a component of “the Architectural Works of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement”, alongside six other nations.

The museum stands as one of Tokyo's most renowned art museums, showcasing both temporary and permanent collections of Western art.

Location: 7-7 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year

Hours of Operation: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Entry Fee:

• For adults ¥500/person 
• For college students ¥250/person

17. Okinoshima (2017)

UNESCO designated the sacred island of Okinoshima and related locations in Fukuoka prefecture’s Munakata Region as World Heritage Sites in 2017. There are around 80,000 artefacts excavated from the island that hold the status of national treasures. These treasures provide insights into ancient international trade between Japan and East Asia.

Location: Munakata, Fukuoka, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: May and August to October

Hours of Operation: No information available

Entry Fee: No information available

18. Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region (2018)

Nagasaki, a picturesque city situated on Kyushu Island in Japan, is a hub for international trade with Western nations like Portugal and Spain. This trade, known as the 'Nanban Trade', brought various Western innovations and introduced Christianity to Japan.

Hirado port and Nagasaki port served as the primary gateways for this international commerce, and missionaries arrived there to propagate Christianity and establish strong ties with influential local feudal lords.

Location: Nagasaki and Kumamoto, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year

Hours of Operation:

• Oura Cathedral - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Sundays - 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM) (closed on Mondays)
• Kuroshima Church - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Entry Fee:

• Oura Cathedral - For adults ¥400/person and students ¥250/person
• Kuroshima Church - Free

19. Mozu-Furuichi Kofun (2019)

This property is situated on a plateau above the Osaka Plain and comprises 49 ancient mounds known as kofun in Japanese. These kofuns offer the most substantial material portrayal of the Kofun period. They illustrate the distinctions in social classes during that era and provide proof of an intricate burial system.

Location: Habikino, Fujiidera, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year

Hours of Operation: Open 24X7

Entry Fee: Free

20. Jomon Prehistoric Sites (2021)

It encompasses 17 archaeological sites in the southern part of Hokkaido Island and northern Tohoku. These sites feature diverse geographical settings, including mountains, hills, plains, lowlands, inland bays, lakes, and rivers.

They provide a distinct record of the evolution of the pre-agricultural but settled Jomon culture and its intricate spiritual beliefs and rituals, spanning approximately 10,000 years.

Location: Hokkaido Island, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year

Hours of Operation:

• Sannai Maruyama Site - 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Goshono Site - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Korekawa Site - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Ofune and Kakinoshima Sites - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (until 4:30 PM from November to March)

Entry Fee:

• Sannai Maruyama Site -  ¥410/person
• Goshono Site - ¥300/person
• Korekawa Site - ¥250/person
• Ofune and Kakinoshima Sites - ¥300/person

Here is a list of natural world heritage sites in Japan, according to the year of inclusion:

21. Yakushima (1993)

Yakushima, found within Yaku Island’s heart where the palaearctic and oriental biotic regions converge, boasts a diverse flora, comprising around 1,900 species and subspecies. Among them, there are ancient Japanese cedar trees called sugi.

Additionally, it holds a surviving example of an ancient warm-temperate forest, which is exceptional in this area.

Location: Yakushima, Kumage District, Kagoshima, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: February to May, August, November and December

Hours of Operation: No data available

Entry Fee:  ¥500/person

22. Shirakami-Sanchi (1993)

Shirakami Sanchi is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan with an extensive mountainous region found in Aomori and Akita prefectures in the Tohoku region. It boasts one of the world’s largest uncharted beech forests.

The area offers thrilling hiking paths that lead you to picturesque locations, including revitalising waterfalls and stunning lakes known as ‘The Ju-niko’.

Location: Northern Honshū, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: April to July

Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (November to March)

8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (April to October)

Entry Fee: Free (¥200/person for movie)

23. Shiretoko (2005)

Shiretoko is a peninsula which is located in the easternmost part of Hokkaido. It is known for its abundant diversity of plants and wildlife, making it an ideal location for animals to survive. Moreover, it includes various threatened seabirds and migratory birds, salmonid species, and marine mammals.

Location: Hokkaido, ‎Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: June to October

Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (April to October), 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (November to March)

Entry Fee: ¥500/person

24. Ogasawara Islands (2011)

The property comprises over 30 islands grouped into three clusters. These islands feature diverse landscapes and are inhabited by a rich variety of wildlife, including the endangered Bonin Flying Fox and 195 bird species facing endangerment.

Despite its remote location, the captivating natural beauty and an array of outdoor activities attract visitors who love marine sports and nature-related experiences.

Location: Ogasawara Islands, Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: June to October

Hours of Operation: Open 24X7

Entry Fee: No data available

25. Amami-Oshima Island (2021)

Amami Oshima, situated between Kagoshima and Okinawa, houses a variety of animals and plants. It is a well-known destination for outdoor activities like hiking, diving, and kayaking. The ideal way to fully relish the island is by participating in a guided forest tour.

Location: Amami archipelago, southwest Japan

Ideal Time to Explore: June to August

Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM

Entry Fee: No data available

Here are some essential criteria that UNESCO follows to list a place as a World Heritage site:

• Represents the masterpiece of human creation
• Expresses human values exchange
• Demonstrates cultural significance
• Represents the different stages of human history
• Preserves historical human settlements
• Natural, biological, or ecological significance
• Serving as major natural habitats or biological hotspots for conservation

All the above 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan represent the country’s cultural, historical, and natural significance. Visiting these sites provides you with a captivating journey through Japan's rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes.