List of World Heritage Sites in Japan

The List of World Heritage Sites in Japan is a group of places chosen by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

History
UNESCO was created for the "conservation and protection of the world’s inheritance of books, works of art and monuments of history and science". The constitution of UNESCO was ratified in 1946 by 26 countries."UNESCO Constitution"; retrieved 2012-4-18.

Japan agreed to take part in the World Heritage Convention on 30 June 1992.UNESCO, "Japan"; retrieved 2012-4-18.

List
The World Heritage Site (WHS)WHS is an acronym. WHS stands for "World Heritage Site". list has developed over time.  It is part of a process; and the list continues to grow.

As of 2012, there are 16 WHS places in Japan. 
 12 cultural sites  
 4 natural sites

There are 12 sites which are on a tentative list.

Table
 Name Image Location Notes Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji AreaUNESCO,  "Buddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area"; retrieved 2012-4-18.   150px  Nara Prefecture  cultural site Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of RyukyuUNESCO,  "Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Okinawa Prefecture  cultural site   Himeji-jōUNESCO,  "Himeji-jo"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px    Hyōgo Prefecture   cultural site Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure LandUNESCO,  "Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Iwate Prefecture   cultural site Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)UNESCO,  "Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Hiroshima Prefecture  cultural site Historic Monuments of Ancient KyotoUNESCO,  "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Kyoto/Shiga Prefecture  cultural site Historic Monuments of Ancient NaraUNESCO,  "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Nara Prefecture   cultural site Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and GokayamaUNESCO,   "Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Gifu/Toyama Prefecture   cultural site Itsukushima Shinto ShrineUNESCO,  "Itsukushima Shinto Shrine"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Hiroshima Prefecture  cultural site Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural LandscapeUNESCO, "Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Shimane Prefecture  cultural site  Ogasawara IslandsUNESCO,  Ogasawara Islands; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Tokyo   Natural Site  Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain RangeUNESCO,  "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Mie/Nara/Wakayama Prefecture   Shrines and Temples of NikkōUNESCO,  "Shrines and Temples of Nikko"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Tochigi Prefecture   cultural site Shirakami-SanchiUNESCO,  "Shirakami-Sanchi"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Aomori/Akita Prefecture   natural site ShiretokoUNESCO,  "Shiretoko"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Hokkaidō   natural site—peninsula and marine area YakushimaUNESCO,  "Yakushima"; retrieved 2012-4-18.  150px  Kagoshima Prefecture   natural site—warm temperate ancient forest

 Tentative List
The Tentative List consists of sites which have been nominated.  The evaluation process is not yet completed.

 Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological Sites of Japan's Ancient Capitals and Related PropertiesUNESCO, "Asuka-Fujiwara: Archaeological sites of Japan’s Ancient Capitals and Related Properties"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Churches and Christian Sites in NagasakiUNESCO, "Churches and Christian Sites in Nagasaki"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 FujisanUNESCO, "Fujisan"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Hikone-Jo (castle)UNESCO, "Hikone-Jo (castle)"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô, Northern Tôhoku, and other regionsUNESCO,  "Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô, Northern Tôhoku, and other regions"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Main Building of the National Museum of Western ArtUNESCO, "Main Building of the National Museum of Western Art"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Modern Industrial Heritage Sites in Kyûshû and YamaguchiUNESCO, "The Modern Industrial Heritage Sites in Kyûshû and Yamaguchi"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun, Ancient Tumulus ClustersUNESCO, "Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun, Ancient Tumulus Clusters"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Okinoshima Island and Related Sites in Munakata RegionUNESCO, Okinoshima Island and Related Sites in Munakata Region"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Sado complex of heritage mines, primarily gold minesUNESCO, "Sado complex of heritage mines, primarily gold mines"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Temples, Shrines and other structures of Ancient KamakuraUNESCO, "Temples, Shrines and other structures of Ancient Kamakura"; retrieved 2012-4-19.
 Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage"Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage"; retrieved 2012-4-19.

In January 2012 the Japanese government requested the inscription of the tentative sites of Kamakura and Mount Fuji in 2013, with plans to request the inscription in 2014 of The Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial Heritage."Japan prepares to nominate more sites for registration on global list," Japan Times. 1 January 2012; retrieved 2012-4-18 The Amami and Ryūkyū Islands (Yanbaru) have been selected for nomination as a joint fifth Natural Site and a study panel is to be formed to consider a sixth candidate site."Govt to select candidate for World Natural Heritage,"  Daily Yomiuri. 18 February 2012; retrieved 2012-4-18

Related pages
 UNESCO World Heritage Site

 References 

Other websites

 UNESCO, World Heritage Sites
 GoJapan, World Heritage Sites  
 Agency for Cultural Affairs, http://www.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index.asp ; http://www.bunka.go.jp/bunkashingikai/sekaibunkaisan/08/pdf/sankou_1_4.pdf 
  List of biosphere reserves which are wholly or partially world heritage sites

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Japan