World Heritage Sites in Japan

While traveling and visiting Japan, Nick and I quickly learned that Japan has many many UNESCO World Heritage sites, in fact according to the UNESCO website, Japan has 17 World Heritage sites in total, which compares to the much larger country of America that has 21 sites. According to UNESCO, “The World Heritage List includes 981 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value…and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria.”

Here are some of the amazing World Heritage sites we were blessed with the opportunity to visit while in Japan.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara:

Today Temple – The Great Buddha

Kasuga Taisha – a shrine with hundreds and hundreds of lanterns

Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration

Mt. Fuji

Himeji-jo

Himeji Castle (currently under renovation)

Himeji Castle Garden – Kokoen Garden

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)

Tenryuji Temple – Zen temple in the Arashiyama district

Ryoanji Temple – Zen temple with famous rock garden