Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu

Gusuku Sites and Related Properties in the Kingdom of Ryukyu

From the World Heritage inscription for the Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu: Five hundred years of Ryukyuan history (12th-17th century) are represented by this group of sites and monuments. The ruins of the castles, on imposing elevated sites, are evidence for the social structure over much of that period, while …

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Yakushima

Yakushima UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage Inscription for Yakushima: Located in the interior of Yaku Island, at the meeting-point of the Palaearctic and oriental biotic regions, Yakushima exhibits a rich flora, with some 1,900 species and subspecies, including ancient specimens of the sugi (Japanese cedar). It also contains a remnant of a warm-temperate ancient forest that is …

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Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) - World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome): The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) was the only structure left standing in the area where the first atomic bomb exploded on 6 August 1945. Through the efforts of many people, including those of the city of Hiroshima, it has been preserved in …

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Itsukushima Shinto Shrine

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine UNESCO World Heritage Site, Japan

From the World Heritage inscription for the Itsukushima Shinto Shrine: The island of Itsukushima, in the Seto inland sea, has been a holy place of Shintoism since the earliest times. The first shrine buildings here were probably erected in the 6th century. The present shrine dates from the 12th century and the harmoniously arranged buildings …

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Himeji-jo, Japan

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Himeji-jo

From the the World Heritage inscription for Himeji-jo: Himeji-jo is the finest surviving example of early 17th-century Japanese castle architecture, comprising 83 buildings with highly developed systems of defense and ingenious protection devices dating from the beginning of the Shogun period. It is a masterpiece of construction in wood, combining function with aesthetic appeal, both …

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Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area - UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage Inscription of the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area: There are around 48 Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area, in Nara Prefecture. Several date from the late 7th or early 8th century, making them some of the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world. These masterpieces of wooden architecture are important …

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Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto - UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription for the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto: Built in A.D. 794 on the model of the capitals of ancient China, Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from its foundation until the middle of the 19th century. As the center of Japanese culture for more than 1,000 years, Kyoto illustrates …

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Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara World Heritage Site, Japan

From the World Heritage inscription for Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara: Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784. During this period the framework of national government was consolidated and Nara enjoyed great prosperity, emerging as the fountainhead of Japanese culture. The city’s historic monuments – Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and the excavated …

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Shrines and Temples of Nikko

Shrines and Temples of Nikko - UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription for the Shrines and Temples of Nikko: The shrines and temples of Nikko, together with their natural surroundings, have for centuries been a sacred site known for its architectural and decorative masterpieces. They are closely associated with the history of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Nikko is a day trip from Tokyo. …

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