Japan | World Heritage Explorer

Japan has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1992. With 26 inscribed properties, the country is one of the more prominent contributors to the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage. One of these properties is shared with neighboring countries, demonstrating cooperation across borders in heritage conservation.

Japan as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: June 30, 1992

Status: Acceptance

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1993-1999, 2003-2007, 2011-2015, 2021-2025

Total of Mandate Years: 18

Total of Mandates: 4

WHC Electoral Group: IV (Asia/Pacific)

World Heritage Sites in Japan (26)

Cultural: 21 | Natural: 5 | Mixed: 0

Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island · Natural
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area · Cultural
Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration · Cultural
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu · Cultural
Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region · Cultural
Himeji-jo · Cultural
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land · Cultural
Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) · Cultural
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) · Cultural
Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara · Cultural
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama · Cultural
Itsukushima Shinto Shrine · Cultural
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape · Cultural
Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan · Cultural
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan · Cultural
Ogasawara Islands · Natural
Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region · Cultural
Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range · Cultural
Sado Island Gold Mines · Cultural
Shirakami-Sanchi · Natural
Shiretoko · Natural
Shrines and Temples of Nikko · Cultural
Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining · Cultural
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement · Cultural (Transboundary)
Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites · Cultural
Yakushima · Natural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (4)

Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (extension) · submitted: September 25, 2012
Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological sites of Japan’s Ancient Capitals and Related Properties · submitted: January 30, 2007
Temples, Shrines and other structures of Ancient Kamakura · submitted: October 1, 1992
Hikone-Jo (castle) · submitted: October 1, 1992

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Japan

Official Name: Japan

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Eastern Asia

UNESCO Region: Asia and the Pacific

Capital: Tokyo

Population (2024): 123,975,371

Land Area: 364,500 km²

Currency: Japanese yen (JPY)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Japan

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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