{"id":9810,"date":"2015-07-28T16:44:00","date_gmt":"2015-07-28T15:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.insidejapantours.com\/?p=9810"},"modified":"2021-02-23T23:38:51","modified_gmt":"2021-02-23T23:38:51","slug":"world-heritage-japan-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/07\/28\/world-heritage-japan-part-one\/","title":{"rendered":"World Heritage Japan: Part One"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>What do the Great Pyramids, the Serengeti, a Japanese silver mine and the Fray Bentos meat-packing plant have in common? No, this isn\u2019t the set-up for a terrible joke \u2014 they\u2019re all World Heritage Sites.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s right \u2014 according to UNESCO, these are places of universal value to humankind; so special that they belong to all the peoples of the world, not just their country of origin. Bet you didn\u2019t know you had part-ownership in a pie factory, did you?<\/p>\n<p>In the 20 years we\u2019ve been visiting Japan, its clutch of World Heritage Sites has more than doubled, and by the time you read this it may have increased again. At the time of writing, Japan has 23 World Heritage Sites (four natural and 19 cultural), spanning the length and breadth of the country, and running the gamut from war-era remnants to spectacular national parks.<\/p>\n<p>In part one of this blog, we\u2019ll take you through Japan\u2019s first eleven sites; in part two, we\u2019ll complete the list&#8230;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>1. Horyu-ji<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1993<\/p>\n<p>The first of Japan\u2019s World Heritage Sites, the Horyu-ji area in Nara Prefecture incorporates 48 different Buddhist monuments. It\u2019s named after Horyu-ji Temple, which is one of the oldest wooden buildings left standing in the world today. It\u2019s thought that the original temple was built in 607 AD, with the current construction dating from around 711.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30044\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30044\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30044 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Striking temple fa\u00e7ade with bright blue skies in background\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Namdaemun-of-Horyuji-Temple-in-Nara-Ryokrt-pixta_72368212_XL.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30044\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Part of Horyu-ji Temple, the oldest wooden building in Japan &#8211; Ryokrt\/Pixta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>2. Shirakami-Sanchi<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1993<\/p>\n<p>Most people think of Japan as a place of uninterrupted urban development, but the reality is far from it. Recognised in the same year as Horyu-ji, the Shirakami-Sanchi National Park is located in the mountains of northern Honshu Island and represents the last vestiges of the pristine, primeval beech forests that once covered the entirety of northern Japan. Today the park covers 169.71 square kilometres of unspoilt, mountainous terrain, and harbours an outstanding diversity of wildlife.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30050\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30050\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30050 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Green trees surrounding azure pond with branches submerged\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Juniko-Twelve-Lakes-Aomori-Aoike-Blue-Pond-2-Edit.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30050\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aoike Pond, in Shirakami-Sanchi National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>3. Himeji Castle<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1993<\/p>\n<p>Himeji is the largest and best-preserved of Japan\u2019s 12 remaining feudal castles \u2014 you might recognise it as the ninja training HQ in You Only Live Twice. First built in 1333, it has undergone numerous remodellings and refurbishments over the centuries. The current structure was built in 1609, and has weathered 400 years of battles, earthquakes, fires, and even heavy bombing during WWII.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9823\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9823\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9823 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/39060009-720x478.jpg\" alt=\"Elegant white castle hidden behind a copse of trees\" width=\"720\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/39060009-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/39060009-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/39060009-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/39060009-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/39060009-510x339.jpg 510w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/39060009.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9823\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Himeji Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>4. Yakushima<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1993<\/p>\n<p>An island 200 kilometres (125 mi) from the city of Kagoshima in Japan\u2019s southwest, the landscape of Yakushima is more reminiscent of central African jungle or the rainforests of South America than of Japan (or at least the Japan most of us imagine). Mountainous and thickly forested, it has spectacular waterfalls, some of the world\u2019s oldest trees, and more deer and monkeys than people. It\u2019s not hard to see why its atmospheric scenery inspired Hayao Miyazaki\u2019s animated masterpiece, Princess Mononoke.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30062\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30062\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30062 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-720x478.jpg\" alt=\"White water falling through rocks covered in green moss\" width=\"720\" height=\"478\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-1536x1021.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-1440x957.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit-510x339.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/DSC02263-Edit.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30062\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oko-no-taki waterfall, in the western part of the island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30065\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30065\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30065 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-720x481.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of baby turtle on sand\" width=\"720\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-720x481.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-564x377.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-900x601.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-780x521.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles-510x341.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/LoggerheadTurtles.jpg 1132w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30065\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Summer is loggerhead turtle season in Yakushima<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>5. Kyoto<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1994<\/p>\n<p>No list of Japanese World Heritage Sites could be complete without mentioning Kyoto, a city so packed full of culture and history that it was considered too important to bomb during World War Two. Today, Japan\u2019s ancient capital is home to 17 separate World Heritage assets (inscribed together as the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto), including the Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu Temple, the Phoenix Hall at Uji, Nijo Castle, Ryoan-ji Temple, and many more.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30068\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30068\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30068 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Golden temple with snowed roof and falling snowflakes\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/p2140351.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30068\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is striking in all seasons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30047\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30047\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30047 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-720x540.jpg\" alt=\"Calm waters in front of red temple during cherry blossoms\" width=\"720\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-564x423.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23-510x383.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Byodoin-Temple-23.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30047\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Byodo-in, Uji<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>6. Shirakawa-go &amp; Gokayama<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1995<\/p>\n<p>The mountain villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama preserve the folk culture of Japan\u2019s alpine communities. Here, you can spend the night at one of the area\u2019s preserved gassho-zukuri \u2013 or \u201cpraying hands\u201d \u2013 farmhouses, named for their steeply pitched, thatched roofs, which were developed to cope with the region\u2019s high level of snowfall. Spending a night in one of these houses, eating local food around an irori hearth, is a magical experience.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9824\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9824\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9824 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/8501505723_a094fc37f3_o_d.jpg\" alt=\"Traditional triangular wooden roofs covered in snow at night\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/8501505723_a094fc37f3_o_d.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/8501505723_a094fc37f3_o_d-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/8501505723_a094fc37f3_o_d-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/8501505723_a094fc37f3_o_d-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/8501505723_a094fc37f3_o_d-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/8501505723_a094fc37f3_o_d-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9824\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shirakawago illuminated at night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>7. Hiroshima Peace Memorial<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1996<\/p>\n<p>Hiroshima\u2019s Peace Memorial (also called the Genbaku Dome) represents a rather different kind of heritage from the other sites on this list \u2013 but one no less worth preserving and remembering. It commemorates the world\u2019s first atomic bomb, which was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, killing 70-80,000 people, or 30% of the city\u2019s population. The dome was the only building left standing in the area, and has been preserved exactly as it was found since 1945.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_29939\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29939\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-29939 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-720x479.jpg\" alt=\"Peace sculpture in Hiroshima with ruins of the nuclear bomb blast in the background\" width=\"720\" height=\"479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-720x479.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-564x375.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-1200x798.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-900x599.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-1440x958.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-780x519.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436-510x339.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/PA251436.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29939\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hiroshima&#8217;s A-Bomb Dome viewed from the Peace Memorial Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>8. Itsukushima Shinto Shrine<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1996<\/p>\n<p>Located on beautiful Miyajima Island, just ten minutes\u2019 boat ride across the bay from Hiroshima, Itsukushima is a Shinto shrine recognised for its bright vermillion buildings and beautiful natural surroundings. The view of the shrine\u2019s torii gate, which appears to \u201cfloat\u201d out in the bay, is one of the most iconic in Japan. We recommend spending a night at one of the island\u2019s peaceful ryokan inns, surrounded by friendly deer and quiet streets, for a contrast to bustling Hiroshima.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30041\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30041\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30041 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of red torii gates on blue water with shrine in the background\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Itsukushima-Curioso.Photography-pixta_18997907_XL.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30041\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The floating torii gate and Itsukushima shrine &#8211; Curioso.Photography\/Pixta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>9. Nara<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1998<\/p>\n<p>Just 15 minutes on the train from the great city of Kyoto is Nara, which was itself capital of Japan from 710 until 784 AD. Now primarily known for its over-friendly population of sacred deer, the small city is home to a collection of impressive World Heritage monuments \u2013 including the largest wooden building in the world (Todai-ji Temple), which houses the largest bronze Buddha in the world. Often billed as \u201clittle Kyoto\u201d for its wood-panelled streets and wealth of temples, it\u2019s a lovely place to see traditional Japan without the crowds.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30056\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30056\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30056 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-720x481.jpg\" alt=\"Imposing wooden structure with blue sky and clouds in the background\" width=\"720\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-720x481.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-900x601.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-1440x961.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-780x521.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/ADF33130-Editij-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30056\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Todai-ji Temple, the largest wooden building in the world<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30038\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30038\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30038 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"Romantic image of wooden pergola on pond and gentle cherry blossoms in foreground\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Ukimido-Pavilion-Nara-y.uemura-pixta_62668281_XL-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ukimido Pavilion &#8211; y.uemura\/Pixta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><strong>10. Nikko<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 1999<\/p>\n<p>Hidden in the forests of Nikko National Park, just north of Tokyo, Nikko is home to Japan\u2019s most elaborate religious architecture. Amongst Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, visitors will find the famous \u201csee no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil\u201d monkey carvings \u2013 and the tomb of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Japan\u2019s most important shogun.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30059\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30059\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30059 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-720x404.jpg\" alt=\"Autumn colours next to red temple with tourists in the foreground\" width=\"720\" height=\"404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-720x404.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-564x317.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-1200x674.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-900x505.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-1440x809.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-390x219.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-780x438.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o-510x286.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/nikko-12_30540509403_o.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30059\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The elaborate architecture and dramatic nature of Nikko<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30035\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30035\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30035 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-720x750.jpg\" alt=\"Temple with golden colours contrasting against the snow during cloudy day\" width=\"720\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-720x750.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-288x300.jpg 288w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-983x1024.jpg 983w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-768x800.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-542x564.jpg 542w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-900x937.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-390x406.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-780x812.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1-510x531.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Nikko6-1.jpg 1188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30035\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The gate to Tosho-gu Shrine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><b>11. Okinawa\u2019s Ryukyu castles <\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Inscribed: 2000<\/p>\n<p>Japan\u2019s southernmost prefecture, Okinawa, was once a proud, independent country known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. Having been subjected to a brutal history of Japanese conquest, bloody battles and subsequent American occupation, all that remains of the once-great trading nation are the ruins of its castles \u2013 or gusuku, as they are called in Okinawan dialect. Inscribed in the year 2000, they offer the last window on a vanished world.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30053\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30053\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30053 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-720x481.jpg\" alt=\"Castle ruins on a beautiful sunny day with sprawling views of the ocean and green island\" width=\"720\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-720x481.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-900x601.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-1440x961.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-780x521.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL-510x340.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Katsuren-Castle-Ruins-Shikema-pixta_60312881_XL.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30053\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Katsuren Castle Ruins, in the main island of Okinawa &#8211; Shikema\/Pixta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>InsideJapan Tours\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/self-guided-japan-holidays\/i-whrtgc\/world-heritage\/\">World Heritage Self-Guided Adventure<\/a> takes in our favourite locations from the World Heritage list, but we can design a trip to incorporate any (or all!) of the destinations inscribed by UNESCO. Just get in touch!<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F9810\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! What do the Great Pyramids, the Serengeti, a Japanese silver mine and the Fray Bentos meat-packing plant have in common? No, this isn\u2019t the set-up for a terrible joke \u2014 they\u2019re all World Heritage Sites. That\u2019s right \u2014 according to UNESCO, these are places of universal value [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2362],"tags":[1446,1623,1926,2268,2326],"class_list":["post-9810","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-places-and-where-to-stay-in-japan","tag-culture","tag-history","tag-nature","tag-unesco","tag-world-heritage"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9810"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9810\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30653,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9810\/revisions\/30653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9810"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9810"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}