Japan

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 (27)

Cultural: 22 | Natural: 5 | Mixed: 0

• Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island · Natural
• Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara · Cultural
• 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.

World Heritage Inscription Timeline

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.