Japan
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
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
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)