JAPAN – KANSAI WESTERN Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
World Heritage Sites
Himeji-jo*
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)*
MOZU-FURUICHI KOFUN GROUP: MOUNDED TOMBS OF ANCIENT JAPAN WHS. Located on a plateau above the Osaka Plain, this includes 49 kofun (“old mounds” in Japanese). These tombs were for members of the elite. These kofun have been selected from among a total of 160,000 in Japan and form the richest material representation of the Kofun period, from the 3rd to the 6th century CE. They demonstrate the differences in social classes of that period and show evidence of a highly sophisticated funerary system. Burial mounds of significant variations in size, kofun take the geometrically elaborate design forms of keyhole, scallop, square or circle. They were decorated with paving stones and clay figures. The kofun demonstrate exceptional technical achievements of earthen constructions.
Located on a plateau above the Osaka Plain, the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group is a serial property of 45 components which contains 49 kofun (‘old mound’), a large and distinctive type of burial mound. The selected kofun are found in two major clusters, and are the richest tangible representation of the culture of the Kofun period in Japan from the 3rd to 6th centuries, a period before Japanese society became an established centralised state under the influence of the Chinese system of law. The kofun have a range of contents, such as grave goods (weapons, armour, ornaments); and clay figures used to decorated the mounds, known as haniwa (in the form of cylinders arranged in rows, or representations of objects, houses, animals and people).
Understood as tombs for kings’ clans and affiliates during this period, some of the kofun are Ryobo (imperial mausolea) and are managed by Japan’s Imperial Household Agency. The serial components have been selected from a total of 160,000 kofun from around Japan and represent the ‘middle kofun’ period (late 4th to late 5th centuries) which is considered to be the peak of the Kofun period. The attributes of the property are the 49 burial mounds, their geometric forms, methods and materials of construction, moats, archaeological materials and contents (including grave goods, burial facilities and the haniwa). The settings of the kofun, their visual presence in the Osaka region, and the remaining physical and visual links between the kofun are important attributes; as is the evidence of the distinctive funerary practices and ritual uses.
The 45 components demonstrate the period’s socio-political structures, social class differences and highly sophisticated funerary system. The clay sculptures, moats and geometric terraced mounds reinforced by stone, are outstanding.
AWAJI ISLAND
Architectural Delights: Awaji: Water Temple
Lighthouses: Awaji: Esaki Lighthouse
HIMEJI/KAKOGAWA
History, Culture, National and City Museums: Himeji: Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Himeji: Himeji Castle
Art Museums: Himeji: Museum of Art
Religious Temples: Kakogawa: Kakurin-ji
Botanical Gardens
Himeji City Tegarayama Botanical Garden
Himeji: Koko-en Garden
Vehicle Museums: Himeji: Torino Museum
Museums – Various
Himeji: Azuki Museum
Himeji: Museum of Literature
NISHINOMIYA
History, Culture, National and City Museums: Nishinomiya: Koshien History Museum
Religious Temples: Nishinomiya: Nishinomiya Jinja (Nishinomiya Ebisu)
SAKAI
History, Culture, National and City Museums: Sakai: City Museum
Vestiges of the Past: Sakai: Mozu Tombs
Art Museums: Sakai: Alphonse Mucha Museum
Vehicle Museums: Sakai: Bicycle Museum Cycle Center
KOBE
Kobe Rapid Transit and Municipal Subway
Bridge – Kobe: Akashi Kaikyō Bridge (Pearl Bridge)
Tunnel – Shin-Kobe Tunnel
History, Culture, National and City Museums: Kobe: Kobe City Museum
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Kobe: Wadamisaki Battery
Vestiges of the Past: Sakai: Mozu Tombs
Art Museums
Kobe: Hyōgo Prefectural Museum of Art
Kobe: Uroko Museum
Kobe: Yokoo Tadanori Museum of Contemporary Art
Architectural Delights: Kobe: 4×4 House
Religious Temples
Kobe: Ikuta Jinja
Kobe: Taisan-ji
Science, Technology and all Industry and Mining Museums
Kobe: Bando Kobe Science Museum
Kobe: Sawanotsuru Museum
Botanical Gardens: Kobe: Nunobiki Herb Garden
Zoos
Kobe: Animal Kingdom
Kobe: Ōji Zoo
Well-being: Breweries – Kobe: Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum
Museums – Decorative Arts, Design, Fashion
Kobe: Fashion Museum of Kobe
Kobe: Kōbe Lampwork Glass Museum
Sports Museums: Kobe: Asics Sports Museum
Maritime/Ship Museums: Kobe: Kobe Maritime Museum
Vehicle Museums: Kobe: Kawasaki Motorcycle Museum
Museums – Various
Kobe: Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum
Kobe: UCC Coffee Museum
The Dark Side
Kobe: Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution
Kobe: Hanshin Expressway Earthquake Museum
OSAKA (Greater)
Urban Legends: Osaka: Dōtonbori
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars
Osaka Monorail
Osaka Municipal Subway
Osaka: Hankai Tram Line
Osaka: Mt. Kongō Ropeway
Osaka: Nishi-Shigi Cable Line
Umeda Station (Osaka)
History, Culture, National and City Museums
Osaka: National Museum of Ethnology
Osaka: Osaka Museum of History
Osaka: Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Osaka: Osaka Castle
Art Museums
Osaka: ABENO HARUKAS Art Museum
Osaka: Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum
Osaka: Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum
Osaka: National Museum of Art
Osaka: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts
Osaka: Yuki Museum of Art
Architectural Delights
Osaka: Abeno Harukas
Osaka: Kyocera Dome Osaka
Osaka: Row House
Osaka: Tsūtenkaku
Osaka: Umeda Sky Building
Religious Temples
Osaka: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception?
Osaka: Church of the Light
Osaka: Sankō Shrine
Osaka: Shitennō-ji
Osaka: Tenmangu Shrine
Military, War and Police Museums: Osaka: Osaka International Peace Museum
Natural History and Earth Museums: Osaka: Museum of Natural History
Science, Technology and all Industry and Mining Museums
Osaka: Duskin Museum
Osaka: Osaka Science Museum
Monuments: Osaka: Tower of the Sun
Botanical Gardens: Osaka: Botanical Gardens, Faculty of Science, Osaka City University
Zoos: Osaka: Tennoji Zoo
Aquariums: Osaka: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Malls/Department Stores
Osaka: HANKYU Department Store Umeda
Osaka: HEP
Markets
Osaka: Dōtonbori and Shinsaibashi
Osaka: Kizu Market
Osaka: Kuromon Ichiba Market
Pedestrian and Historical Bridges
Osaka: Ebisubashi Bridge
Osaka: Soribashi Bridge
Museums – Decorative Arts, Design, Fashion: Osaka: Museum of Oriental Ceramics
Vehicle Museums: Osaka: Glion Museum
Museums – Various: Osaka: Mint Museum
Bizzarium:
Osaka: Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
Osaka: Namba Yasaka Jinja
KYOTO
Urban Legends: Kyoto: Philosopher’s Path
Airports: Kobe (UKB), Osaka – Itami (ITM)
Kyoto: Eizan Cable
Castles, Palaces, Forts
Kyoto: Imperial Palace
Kyoto: Katsura Imperial Villa
Kyoto: Nijo Castle
Kyoto: Shugakuin Imperial Villa
House and Biographical Museums
Kyoto: Kawai Kanjiro’s House
Kyoto: Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
Art Museums
Kyoto: Gallery of Kyoto Traditional Arts & Crafts
Kyoto: KYOCERA Museum of Art
Kyoto: Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts Fureaikan
Kyoto: Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum
House and Biographical Museums
Kyoto: Kawai Kanjiro’s House
Kyoto: Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
Architectural Delights: Kyoto: Kyoto Concert Hall
Religious Temples
Kyoto: Daihōon-ji
Kyoto: Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Kyoto: Heian Shrine
Kyoto: Higashi Hongan-ji Temple
Kyoto: Kenninji Temple
Kyoto: Kifune Shrine
Kyoto: Kozan-ji Temple
Kyoto: Nanzen-ji Temple
Kyoto: Yasaka Shrine
Religious and Sacred Art Museums (including Islamic and Jewish Museums): Kyoto: Ryukoku Museum
Monuments: Kyoto: Mimizuka
Botanical Gardens
Kyoto Botanical Garden
Kyoto: Okochi Sanso Garden
Zoos: Kyoto: Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
Aquariums
Kyoto Aquarium
Hospitality Legends
Kyoto: Harise Restaurant
Kyoto: Heihachi Jaya Restaurant
Kyoto: Honke Owariya Restaurant
Kyoto: Ichimonjiya Wasuke
Kyoto: Okutan Higashiyama Restaurant
Kyoto: Okutan Nanzenji Restaurant
Malls/Department Stores: Kyoto: Takashimaya
Pedestrian and Historical Bridges
Kyoto: Togetsukyo Bridge
Kyoto: Uji Bridge
Museums – Decorative Arts, Design, Fashion
Kyoto: Costume Institute
Kyoto: Raku Museum
Kyoto: Shibori Museum
Railway Museums: Kyoto: Kyoto Railway Museum
Museums – Various
Kyoto: Hosomi Museum
Kyoto: Japan Kanji Museum & Library
Kyoto: Kyoto International Manga Museum
UJI
Religious Temples
Uji: Byōdō-in
Uji: Manpuku-ji
Theme Parks, ‘Fun’ Museums and Miniatures: Uji: Nintendo Museum
Hospitality Legends: Uji: Tsuen Tea House (Japan’s oldest Tea shop)
Museums – Various: Uji: Tale of Genji Museum
NISHINOMIYASHI
Art Museums: Nishinomiyashi: Nishinomiyashi Otani Memorial Museum
Botanical Gardens: Nishinomiyashi: Kitayama Botanical Garden
Museums – Various: Nishinomiyashi: Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake
Villages and Small Towns: Ine
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars
Hyogo: Maya View Line Yume-Sanpo
Hyogo: Rokkō Arima Ropeway
Hyogo: Shin-Kōbe Ropeway
Myoken Cable
Sagano Scenic Railway
Sannomiya Station (Kobe)
Shiga: SL Kita-Biwako
Roads, Road Bridges and Tunnels
Bridge – Izumisano: Sky Gate Bridge R
Road – National Route 1 (Tokyo-Osaka)
Road – National Route 2 (Osaka-Kitakyushu)
Road – National Route 8 (Niigata-Kyoto)
Road – National Route 9 (Kyoto-Shimonoseki)
History, Culture, National and City Museums
Ashiya: City Museum of Art and History
Fukuchiyama: Japan Oni Cultural Museum
Castles, Palaces, Forts
Akō : Akō Castle
Asago: Takeda Castle
Fukuchiyama: Fukuchiyama castle
Archaeology and Anthropology Museums: Takatsuki: Imashirotsuka Ancient MuseumReligious Temples
Kasai: Ichijō-ji
Kawachinagano: Kanshin-ji
Kizugawa: Jōruri-ji
Kizugawa: Kaijūsen-ji
Minoh: Katsuoji
Ono: Jōdo-ji
Yashiro: Chōkō-ji
Religious Monuments: Kagoshima: Taniyama no Daikannon
World of Nature: Kongō-Ikoma-Kisen Quasi-National Park, Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park, Meiji no Mori Minō Quasi-National Park, Sanin Kaigan NP
Waterfalls: Nunobiki Falls, Umigami: Shiwagara Falls
Trails 2 – Hikes: Kurama -Kibune Hike
Aquariums
Suita: NIFREL
Toyooka: Kinosaki Marine World
Planetariums: Akashi: Planetarium
Theme Parks, ‘Fun’ Museums and Miniatures
Arima: Toys and Automata Museum
Himeji: Japan Toy Museum
Himeji: Taiyō Park
Hirakata: Hirakata Park
Kyoto: Toei Kyoto Studio Park
Osaka: Universal Studios Japan
Beaches: Amanohashidate
Well-being
Breweries – Suita: Asahi Beer Museum
Distillery: Yamazaki
Springs: Kinosaki Hot Springs
Museums – Decorative Arts, Design, Fashion: Tachikui: Hyogo Prefectural Ceramics Museum
Open-Air Museums: Toyonaka: Open Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses
Museums – Various: Takarazuka: Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum
Bizzarium: Amagasaki: Skull Museum
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JAPAN- KANSAI EASTERN (Nara, Wakayama, Shiga, Mie)
SACRED SITES AND PILGRIMAGE ROUTES IN THE KII MOUNTAIN RANGE WHS encompasses three main sacred sites – Kumano Sanzan, Koyasan, and Yoshino & Omine – and the ancient pilgrimage routes that connect them. These sites, rich in natural beauty and spiritual significance, reflect a 1,200-year-old tradition of sacred mountains and mountain worship, representing a unique fusion of Shintoism and Buddhism.
Kumano Sanzan: This refers to three grand shrines: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha, which are revered as sacred sites of nature worship. The most popular pilgrimage route to reach these shrines is the Kumano Kodo Nakahechi, a historic trail traversing the Kii Peninsula.
Shingu: Kumano Hayatama Taisha
Koyasan: Located in Wakayama Prefecture, Koyasan is a major center of Shingon Buddhism and was founded by Kobo Daishi. It is connected to the Kumano Sanzan via the more challenging Kohechi route.
Kora: Saimyō-ji
Koya: Koyasan Okunoin
Yoshino & Omine: This area in Nara Prefecture is renowned for its sacred mountains, including Mount Yoshino, famous for its cherry blossoms, and Mount Omine, a spiritual training ground for the Shugendo sect of Buddhism. Kumano Kodo: This collective term refers to the network of pilgrimage routes, including the Nakahechi, Kohechi, and Ohechi routes (which runs along the coast), linking these sacred sites. Another route, the Iseji route, connects to the Ise Grand Shrine.
Yoshino: Kinpusen-ji
Tentative WHS: Hikone-Jo (castle) (01/10/1992)
NARA
Art Museums: Nara: Museum of Japanese Art
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars: Nara: Ikoma Cable Line
Hospitality Legends: Nara: Nara Hotel
Music, Film and Photography Museums: Nara: Irie Taikichi Memorial Museum of Photography
WAKAYAMA
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Wakayama: Wakayama Castle
YOKKAICHI/SUZUKA/TSU/KAMEYAMA
Urban Legends: Suzuka: Suzuka Forest Garden
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Kameyama: Kameyama Castle
Art Museums
Tsu: Louvre Museum of Sculpture
Tsu: Mie Prefectural Art Museum
Archaeology and Anthropology Museums: Wakayama: Wakayama Prefecture Kii-fudoki-no-oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore
Religious Temples
Suzuka: Tsubaki Grand Shrine
Tsu: Senju-ji Honzan
Villages and Small Towns
Nara: Totsukawa
Omihachiman
Wakayama: Yuasa
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars
Kōyasan Cable
Mie: Gozaisho Ropeway
Shiga: Sakamoto Cable
Roads, Road Bridges and Tunnels
Bridge – Ardabil: Kara Su Bridge
Road – National Route 42 (Hamamatsu-Wakayama)
Scenic Road – Metasequoia Tree Road in Shiga
Castles, Palaces, Forts
Hikone Castle
Iga: Iga Ueno Castle
Kameyama: Kameyama Castle
Vestiges of the Past
Asuka: Ishibutai Tumulus
Asuka: Kitora Tumulus
Art Museums
Koka: Miho Museum
Otsu: Museum of Modern Art
House and Biographical Museums
Iga Ueno: Basho’s Birth House
Kashihara: Imanishi Family Residence
Archaeology and Anthropology Museums: Asuka: Asuka Historical Museum
Architectural Delights: Otsu: Lake Biwa Otsu Prince Hotel
Religious Temples
Ikaruga: Hokki-ji
Ikaruga: Hōryū-ji
Nachikatsuura: Seiganto-ji
Nagahama: Hōgon-ji
Otsu: Enryaku-ji
Otsu: Mii-dera
Sakurai: Hase-dera
Tenri: Isonokami Shrine
Uda: Murō-ji
Monuments: Kushimoto: Turkish Memorial
World of Nature: Biwako Quasi-National Park, Ibi-Sekigahara-Yōrō Quasi-National Park, Kōya-Ryūjin Quasi-National Park
Waterfalls: Nachi Falls
Trails 1 – Treks: Kumano Kodo Trail
Aquariums: Toba: Toba Aquarium
Theme Parks, ‘Fun’ Museums and Miniatures: Kuwana: Nagashima Spa Land
Lighthouses: Shima: Anorisaki Lighthouse
Museums – Decorative Arts, Design, Fashion: Shigaraki: Ceramic Cultural Park
Museums – Various: Iga Ninja Museum
Bizzarium: Gojō: Nara Kaki Persimmon Museum
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JAPAN – SHIKOKU (Matsuyama, Tokushima, Kochi, Kagawa)
DARE: Japan – Shikoku – Okinoshima and Ugu islands
KOCHI
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars: Kochi: Tosaden Kōtsū Tram
Beaches: Kochi: Katsurahama Beach
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Kochi: Kochi Castle
Art Museums: Kochi: Museum of Art
House and Biographical Museums: Matsuyama: The Shiki Museum
Architectural Delights
Kotohira: Konpira Grand Theater (oldest Kabuki Theatre in Japan)
Matsuyama: Bansuisō
MATSUYAMA
History, Culture, National and City Museums: Matsuyama: No Ball Museum
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Matsuyama: Matsuyama Castle
Art Museums: Matsuyama: Museum of Art, Ehime
House and Biographical Museums: Matsuyama: The Shiki Museum
Architectural Delights: Matsuyama: Bansuisō
Zoos: Matsuyama: Tobe Zoo
Railway Museums: Matsuyama: Botchan train museum
Museums – Various: Matsuyama: Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum
TAKAMATSU
Botanical Gardens: Takamatsu: Ritsurin Garden
History, Culture, National and City Museums:
Takamatsu: Kagawa Museum
Takamatsu: Seto Inland Sea Folk History Museum
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Takamatsu: Takamatsu Castle
Art Museums: Takamatsu: Art Museum
House and Biographical Museums: Matsuyama: The Shiki Museum
Open-Air Museums: Takamatsu: Shikoku Mura
Lighthouses: Takamatsu: Tamamo Pier Lighthouse (Seto Shirube)
TOKUSHIMA
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars
Tokushima: Hashikurasan Ropeway
Tokushima: Tairyūji Ropeway
Castles, Palaces, Forts: Tokushima: Tokushima Castle
Art Museums: Tokushima Modern Art Museum
House and Biographical Museums: Matsuyama: The Shiki Museum
Pedestrian and Historical Bridges: Tokushima: Iya Valley Bridges
Villages and Small Towns
Kotohira
Tokushima: Kamikatsu
Airports: Kochi (KCZ). Matsuyama (MYJ), Takamatsu (TAK), Tokushima (TKS)
Railway, Metro, Funiculars, Cable Cars
Kagawa: Yakuri Cable
Okayama-Kagawa Route (Seto-Ohashi Line)
Unpenji Ropeway
Roads, Road Bridges and Tunnels
Bridge – Imabari: Kurushima-Kaikyō Bridge
Bridge – Sakaide: Great Seto Bridge
Road – National Route 439 (Tokushima-Kochi)
Castles, Palaces, Forts
Imabari: Imabari Castle
Marugame: Marugame Castle
Ōzu: Ōzu Castle
Uwajima: Uwajima Castle
Art Museums
Marugame: Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art
Naruto: Otsuka Museum of Art
Sakaide: Kagawa Prefectural Higashiyama Kaii Setouchi Art Museum
Architectural Delights: Kotohira: Konpira Grand Theater (oldest Kabuki Theatre in Japan)
Religious Temples
Kotohira: Kotohira Shrine
Naruto: Ōasahiko Shrine
Religious Monuments: Shōdoshima: Sodoshima Dai-Kannon
Military, War and Police Museums
Naruto: The Naruto German House
Suo-Oshima: Mutsu Memorial Museum
Science, Technology and all Industry and Mining Museums: Besshi Copper Mine
World of Nature: Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, Ashizuri-Uwakai NP, Naruto Whirlpools, Setonaikai NP
Waterfalls: Niko Buchi
Caves, Sinkholes and Saltmines
Onigashima Island Cave
Ryugado
Lakes: Lake Nakaumi, Lake Shinji
Well-being: Thermal Spa: Dogo Onsen
Windmills and Wheels: Shodoshima: Shodoshima Windmill
Pedestrian and Historical Bridges: Miyoshi: Iya-no-Kazura Bashi
Vehicle Museums: Noichi: Shikoku Automobile Museum
The Dark Side: Okunoshima Island: Poison Gas Museum
Bizzarium
Ehime: Cat Island (Aoshima)
Nagoro Doll Village
