Best World Heritage Sites

Here're best World Heritage Sites. We released a ranking of reviews about World Heritage Sites posted by travel influencers who have actually been there.

Latest

Review Ranking

1

Shirakawago

21 Review

10 min by car from Shirakawago IC. By bus, 50 min from Takayama Station. Ogi-machi Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu

Shirakawa Village is a heavy snowfall area, but it snowed not so much for us to visit here this winter. And we can enjoy the snowy landscape as much as we want! It will snow more during February, so you're still in time to see this scenery.

2

2301 Sannai, Nikko-shi, Tochigi

The most famous thing in Nikko Toshogu Shrine is this Yōmei-mon Arch. It's resistered as a world heritage. This Yomeimon gate has an Edo period architectural style, crafts, sculptures, paintings, and all of the cultures of this age.  

3

From Gokayama IC by car: 1 min - Suganuma Area. 15 min - Ainokura Area. From Johana Station by bus: 25 min - Ainokura-guchi, then 5 min walk to Ainokura Area. 40 min - Suganuma, then 1 min walk to Suganuma Area. Gokayama, Nanto-shi, Toyama

Goyakama is an area of a world heritage with Shirakawago. Suganuma area and Ainokura area of Gokayama are smaller than Shirakawago, but there are full of the atmosphere of secret countryside with the mountains standing very close! You can see the peaceful country scene of gassho zukuri architectures (historical thatched steep roof).◎Suganuma and Ainokura both have parking lot. There're bus from JR Johana Sta. and Takaoka Sta. but you need to confirm the bus timetable. The illumination date changes every year, so check out the web beforehand.

4

68 Honmachi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo

Himeji Castle is the first site registered as a world heritage in Japan. In spring, as many as 1000 trees of Somei Yoshino Cherry bloom around the castle. The purely white Himeji Castle and pale pink cherry blossoms make so beautiful collaboration!

5

7 min walk from Oura Tenshu-dou Station. 10 min by car or taxi from Nagasaki Station. Nearby toll parking area is available. 8-1 Minami-yamate-machi, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki

Glover Garden was registered as a world heritage in 2015. In Christmas season, it's lit up and has different atmosphere than usual! You can see the night Nagasaki city illumination.◎Parking area is available near here. But its better for you to go to Oura Tenshu-dou Shita Station, then walk to Glover Garden. I took these photos in 2012, it has become more gorgeous now for such as projection mapping.

6

Soon, from Sagrada Familia Station Carrer de Lepant, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Sagrada Familia scheduled to be completed in 2026. The moment I entered the shrine while listening to the audio guide, I felt the history of Gaudi in the mysterious and magnificent space and the sophisticated atmosphere that was too beautiful, and tears overflowed. It is one of the World Heritage Sites where you can see the details of the world that cannot be conveyed in the photographs while feeling it with all five senses.

7

68 Sagatenryu-ji Susukinobaba-cho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

Here is not an ordinary Setsubun-kai, people walk around the pagodas of Zen Buddhism and gather the charms of the Seven Deities. There're many people with 'good luck bamboo grass' in their hands at the precinct. The sponsors throw roasted beans (mame-maki) and say 'in with fortune' (huku wa uchi). Let's take in lots of good fortune!

8

Go to Miyajima-guchi Station of JR or Hiroden (streetcar), then walk to ferry terminal. There're two ferry terminals of Matsudai Kisen or JR, both of them go to Miyajima for 10 or 15 min. To Itsukushima Shrine, 10 min walk from Miyajima Port. 1-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi-shi, Hiroshima

Many wild deer live in Miyajima, and they sometimes appear around Itsukushima Shrine. Not only deer, you see some wild birds such as herons and ducks. But, be careful not to be robbed your bag by deer!◎Ferry is available from a port near Miyajima-guchi Station. Most parking areas are located around Miyajima-guchi Station. But in the seasons of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, Miyajima would be very crowded.

9

10 min walk from Uji Station. By car, 40 min from Kyoto City. 116 Renge Uji, Uji-shi, Kyoto

A palace built in a small island on the lake. A unique world heritage of gorgeous building that symbolize Fujiwara Sekkan Era. You should see the shrine once that is famous for Japanese coin of 10 yen. Moreover it became brighter after the repair.

10

Tour from Tokiwa Terminal (reservation required). Access to Tokiwa Terminal: 6 min by taxi, or 20 min by streetcar from Nagasaki Station. By car, 120 min from Fukuoka city, and nearby toll parking area is available. 2 Takashima-cho, Nagasaki-shi, Nagasaki

The Hashima Island looks like a military ship. The ruins were the first apartments constructed of concrete in Japan and look weird now. But just the scenery of this World Heritage can recall worker's sprit in the coal mine at that time.

11

10 min by car from Tomioka IC. 15 min walk from Joshu Tomioka Sration (15 km). 1-1 Tomioka, Tomioka-shi, Gunma

The utmost of 'Made In Japan'. Tomioka silk mill that had pushed forward the modernization of Japan has a strong power!

12

90 min by car form Naha Airport 3908 Katsuen Haebaru, Uruma-shi, Okinawa

Even its decent figure standing on the mountain top is nice, the superb view from the 100meters high fascinates the traveler's hearts more than anything. In the castle site, you can enjoy virtual trip going back 600 years.

13

Danjo Garan

5 Review

152 Koyasan Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama

Koya-san is a world heritage and the sacred place for Japan's esoteric Buddhism. Kompon Daito is a beautiful symbol as high as 50m. It stands in the site of Danjo Garan and lightened up at night. The silhouetted figure against the darkness was very impressive.◎The daytime was crowded with many people but we could enjoy the illumination without haste at night. It'll be good for you to stay at an accommodation of temple and walk around Koya-san at night.

14

By bus, 50 min from Kintetsu Nara Station to Houkiji, then 3 min walk. Or 15 min from Ouji Station to Houkiji Guchi, then 10 min walk. By car, 25 min from Nara city, 50 min from Osaka city, or 80 min from Kyoto city. 1873 Okamoto Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara

Houki-ji (or Hokki-ji) Temple is a famous cosmos spot in Nara. The cosmos spreading at 20 thousand square meters site is very impressive.

15

1 min by car from Kumano Odomari IC. 5 min by bus from Kumano-shi Station to Onigajo Higashi-guchi (east gate). Kinomoto Cho, Kumano-shi, Mie

In Kumano, Mie Prefecture, a world's heritage site 'Onigajō' is a great cliff created by rough seas. It's very interesting place of the ragged rocky stretch. What's more, it's an excellent place to observe the Milky Way, because the Pacific Ocean stretching from east to south.

16

10 min walk, from Canterbury East Station 11 The Precincts, Canterbury, Kent, England

Canterbury, a rural town located in Kent, southeastern England. Canterbury Cathedral, a World Heritage Site, represents Canterbury. In particular, the corridor inside the cathedral is also used as a location for Harry Potter's magic school Hogwarts, which makes you feel as if you were in the world of Harry Potter.

17

7 min by car, from Mont Saint Michel Station BP 18 Grande Rue, Le Mont Saint Michel, France

Mont Saint Michel is probably the No. 1 world heritage site in France. It was a rain forecast yesterday, but there was a little blue sky on my way home. It's usually a place full of people, but this time it's a rare Mont Saint Michel in a monopoly.

18

By car, 25 min from Kyoto Higashi IC, 30 min from Kyoto Minami IC. By bus, 30 min from Kyoto Station to Kinkakuji Michi, then walk 5 min. 1 Kinkakuji-cho Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

After it snows in Kyoto City, shrines and temples of world heritages can change completely. Especially, winter Kinkaku-ji is so beautiful like this pics! Many people from all over the world come to see this golden pavilion, and sometimes there're a line of people for the snowscape worth visiting in spite of a cold weather!◎If the cold wave comes in Kyoto City and the snow clouds comes at the same time, it's a chance to see Kinkakuji in the snow. (I took these pics on snowy day in 2011 and 2017, I decided to visit by the weather forecast two days before.) You need to leave before the snow melts. Bus is available from Kyoto Station. Leave with time to spare on snowy days.

19

Shuri Castle

1 Review

1-2 Surikinjo-cho, Naha-shi, Okinawa

Ryukyu Kingdom's symbolic building. Its deep red gives a strong impression against the background of the blue sky in Okinawa. You must-see spot in Okinawa.

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Europe

Sagrada Familia

7 Reviews

Sagrada Familia scheduled to be completed in 2026. The moment I entered the shrine while listening to the audio guide, I felt the history of Gaudi in the mysterious and magnificent space and the sophisticated atmosphere that was too beautiful, and tears overflowed. It is one of the World Heritage Sites where you can see the details of the world that cannot be conveyed in the photographs while feeling it with all five senses.

Canterbury Cathedral

2 Reviews

Canterbury, a rural town located in Kent, southeastern England. Canterbury Cathedral, a World Heritage Site, represents Canterbury. In particular, the corridor inside the cathedral is also used as a location for Harry Potter's magic school Hogwarts, which makes you feel as if you were in the world of Harry Potter.

Mont Saint Michel

7 Reviews

Mont Saint Michel is probably the No. 1 world heritage site in France. It was a rain forecast yesterday, but there was a little blue sky on my way home. It's usually a place full of people, but this time it's a rare Mont Saint Michel in a monopoly.

Asia

Shirakawago

21 Reviews

Shirakawa Village is a heavy snowfall area, but it snowed not so much for us to visit here this winter. And we can enjoy the snowy landscape as much as we want! It will snow more during February, so you're still in time to see this scenery.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine

7 Reviews

The most famous thing in Nikko Toshogu Shrine is this Yōmei-mon Arch. It's resistered as a world heritage. This Yomeimon gate has an Edo period architectural style, crafts, sculptures, paintings, and all of the cultures of this age.  

Gokayama Village Of Gassho Houses

9 Reviews

Goyakama is an area of a world heritage with Shirakawago. Suganuma area and Ainokura area of Gokayama are smaller than Shirakawago, but there are full of the atmosphere of secret countryside with the mountains standing very close! You can see the peaceful country scene of gassho zukuri architectures (historical thatched steep roof).◎Suganuma and Ainokura both have parking lot. There're bus from JR Johana Sta. and Takaoka Sta. but you need to confirm the bus timetable. The illumination date changes every year, so check out the web beforehand.

Trend

Spots Famous For Art

The Hakone Open Air Museum

12 Reviews

The Museum of Sculpture in Hakone is a museum that is created in beautiful nature and is a walking tour in nature. There are many things to see such as the beautiful lawn and the symphony that brings happiness because the stand glass is a beautiful observatory! It will be a pretty photo spot wherever you take a photo.

Kakaako Wall Art

11 Reviews

Art with colorful designs on walls that are many times taller than I am. If you take a step off the big road, you will find a unique world view of art.

Mori Building Digital Art Museum: EPSON team Lab Borderless

11 Reviews

On June 21st in 2018, Digital Art Museum opened at Odaiba, Tokyo. There's various art occupying every room, and it's completely another world. It must become a popular tourist spot in Tokyo.

Stunning Views

Chichibugahama Beach

26 Reviews

The gradation of the sky that is clearly reflected on the mirror-like surface of the water. Selected as one of Japan's top 100 sunsets, be sure to capture the ever-changing beautiful sunset with your camera! The point is to release the shutter when the water surface is not rippling and there is no wind.

HITACHI SEASIDE PARK

30 Reviews

Now, people from not only Japan but also all over the world visit here without a break. Miharashi Hills have proudly blooming nemophilas with so wonderful blue view at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki. I want you all to visit here at least once, because it's the best one among tourist attractions.◎Access: Cars must be involved in a traffic jam. You can use a shuttle bus from JR Katsuta Station, or use Hitachinaka Kaihin Railways.

Shimonada Station

12 Reviews

Shimonada Station is well known as a scenic station which is the closest to the sea. It has appeared in movies and TV dramas. And many tourists come to see this beautiful scenery at the time of train arrivals. I want to see it much longer!◎You can only have a look without using trains. You should check the timetable if you want to see the train arrivals because there're a little trains.

Hotels With Private Open Air Bath

The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Atami

3 Reviews

In front of the bedroom there is an Atami hot spring bath overlooking the sea. The rooms are vertically oriented for a beautiful view. It is a luxurious inn where you can view the beautiful moon while enjoying delicious dishes filled with the commitment of Hiramatsu, which started as a restaurant. When you wake up in the morning, you can see the hot springs and the sea in front of you! It will be a special holiday to spend with your loved ones.

Izu Hotel Resort & Spa

3 Reviews

All rooms have an ocean view, and the hotel has an open-air bath with free-flowing hot spring water. There is a cafe in the hotel, and the scenery is nice, so you can spend an elegant time staying at the hotel all day. The service of the staff and the food provided are all high quality. A special hotel that makes you want to stay again and again

Moana Coast

2 Reviews

Only 14 rooms on a vast site! Room with open-air jacuzzi bath! You can enjoy the feeling of a resort in Tokushima. I was able to spend an elegant and luxurious time.

Villas

JAL Private Resort Okuma

2 Reviews

2 hours by car from Naha Airport. We can enjoy marine sport at a private beach and mangrove kayak at Yambaru Forest. It's better for you to book the restaurant in the hotel earlier.

Kouri Island Villa NAGOMI

1 Reviews

Villa NAGOMI standing on a hill has a great location for Kouri Bridge and Beach! The wonderful view in front of your eyes. They offer the room like a rental villa, so you can stay like living without any interruptions.

Escapade Island Resort

1 Reviews

"Escapade Island Resort" on Mettle Island in New Caledonia. You can stay in a water cottage of your dreams at a reasonable price. The sea is so clear that sea turtles and rays sometimes come swimming right up to your room.

Yakiniku Restaurants

2 Reviews

2 Reviews

2 Reviews

Instagrammable Spots

Chichibugahama Beach

26 Reviews

The gradation of the sky that is clearly reflected on the mirror-like surface of the water. Selected as one of Japan's top 100 sunsets, be sure to capture the ever-changing beautiful sunset with your camera! The point is to release the shutter when the water surface is not rippling and there is no wind.

HITACHI SEASIDE PARK

30 Reviews

Now, people from not only Japan but also all over the world visit here without a break. Miharashi Hills have proudly blooming nemophilas with so wonderful blue view at Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki. I want you all to visit here at least once, because it's the best one among tourist attractions.◎Access: Cars must be involved in a traffic jam. You can use a shuttle bus from JR Katsuta Station, or use Hitachinaka Kaihin Railways.

Kakaako Wall Art

11 Reviews

Art with colorful designs on walls that are many times taller than I am. If you take a step off the big road, you will find a unique world view of art.

Hotels With Hot Springs

Renaissance Naruto Resort

9 Reviews

An open-air bath on the 1st floor of Renaissance Resort Naruto, is very open structure connected to the outside by the big windows. Taking a bath with the scenery of Naruto Strait Bridge is special.

Misasakan

3 Reviews

The bath contains a high proportion of radon and it's one of the world's best amount. I felt Wabi and Sabi a sense of beauty of Japan. So, it was ultimate relax time. And I recommend to reserve the open-air bath 'Shinzen no Yu' with the capacity of 20.

Tosa Royal Hotel

3 Reviews

The deep sea water at a depth of over 200m is now noticed because of the quality and containing the rich minerals. You can take the hot spring of the water with such a hidden power.

Glamping

Hoshinoya Fuji

3 Reviews

Hoshinoya is known for its overwhelming extraordinary performances. Hoshinoya Fuji is a place where you can experience glamping in a slightly different way from a hotel. Spending time in a cabin with a luxurious view of Mt. Fuji and the lake is very luxurious! The food in the forest is delicious and there are plenty of seasonal activities. Hoshino brand! So I am very satisfied with the time I spend only in the facility.

INN THE PARK

2 Reviews

Renovation of the place used by the forest school. You can stay in the park! You can stay in a hanging tent! It's an extraordinary place, but somehow nostalgic. Have a wonderful time.

PICA Fujiyama

1 Reviews

It is a dome-shaped tent at a campsite in Kawaguchiko. Fashionable no matter where you cut it. It was nice to be able to experience the outdoors casually.

Autumn Color Spots

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

13 Reviews

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most famous spots for autumn leaves in Kyoto. I visited several places to light up the autumn leaves, but this place is a spot for autumn leaves that can only be said to be true.

Nanzen-ji Temple

17 Reviews

I visited Nanzenji Temple, a popular spot for autumn leaves, and Tenju-an Temple, which has two beautiful gardens, in kimono. The autumn leaves in the eastern garden were in full bloom, and it was a magnificent view that you could see forever while sitting on the porch. Another wonderful view that sighs is the autumn leaves in the south garden, which looks like a painting, cut out by the window frame of the Shoin. When I raised my face to buy a ticket at the entrance, I jumped into my eyes first and was fascinated.

Nara Park

12 Reviews

A scenic spot of autumn leaves and deer. I went there for the first time, but there are more deer than I imagined. I was surprised to walk normally on the general road. I thought he was greeting me by shaking his head up and down, but it seems that it means give me deer rice crackers. I was healed by the wonderful scenery and the cute deer.

Cosmos Spots

Yume Cosmos Garden

4 Reviews

Yume Cosmos Garden, at Kameoka in Kyoto, has 20 kinds and 8 million cosmos in its best season. You can see the cosmos in color we can rarely see at other places!

Instagrammable Sweet

L'atelier A Ma Facon

24 Reviews

A hydrangea glass dessert that can only be met during the rainy season at L'Atelier A Ma Fason. If you can meet this parfait, you can forgive the melancholy feeling of the rainy season. The snail sitting on the top is also very cute, and the scene comes to mind. It is a particularly delicate and artistic parfait among the menu unique to the season.

Coffee Shop Soiree

8 Reviews

A long-established retro coffee shop in Shijo, Kyoto. Soiree's popular menu "Jelly Punch" is fantastic with the shop's blue lighting. The window seats on the second floor are especially recommended.

And Cafe

40 Reviews

This is a very popular shop for sweets, toasts, and sodas made with seasonal fruits. The fruits are different depending on the season, so you can enjoy it whenever you go. The fruit itself is seasonal, so you can enjoy the taste.

Scenic Restaurants & Cafes

8 Reviews

KAKIWAI

4 Reviews

KAKIWAI, located on a hill beyond the alley, has very wonderful open scenery! The cheese cake made from locally grown lemon is pulpy and delicious with its refreshing sweetness. Not only sweets, they prepare oyster dishes and alcoholic drinks.

7 Reviews

2023 Christmas Afternoon Tea

Cafes

Osora Cafe

23 Reviews

And Cafe

40 Reviews

Delicious Parfait

FUKUNAGA901

9 Reviews

FUKUNAGA901 is proud of its parfait with full of seasonal fruit. Specially, Ichigo Yama Parfait (Strawberry Mountain Parfait) with its lovely appearance is one of the best-seller one!!

Karyo Itoken

15 Reviews

Double peach field newly released from Itoken. Two luxuriously fresh peaches. There is peach jelly inside the peach. Itoken's seasonal parfait makes me want to eat it every year.

L'atelier A Ma Facon

24 Reviews

A hydrangea glass dessert that can only be met during the rainy season at L'Atelier A Ma Fason. If you can meet this parfait, you can forgive the melancholy feeling of the rainy season. The snail sitting on the top is also very cute, and the scene comes to mind. It is a particularly delicate and artistic parfait among the menu unique to the season.

Shrines And Temples

Yokokuji-Temple

16 Reviews

Shoju-in Temple

18 Reviews

Shouju-in Temple is famous for the lovely heart-shaped window called Inome-mado. Not only the window, I was fascinated with the beautiful paintings on the ceiling that are different one by one. In summer, you can also enjoy tea in the beautiful sounds of wind bell.

Rooms with Private Pool

3 Reviews

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Thailand

1 Reviews

Luxury resort hotel on Koh Samui. Four Seasons Samui. A resort hotel with a large private pool and villa rooms that you will want to visit again and again.

Hotels With Infinity Pool

Ōiso Prince Hotel

3 Reviews

Otherworldly beautiful scenery spread there. It's a warm-water pool, so we can enjoy it even in winter or a little cold season. There're also sauna bath, spa, and onsen, so we stay there all day long. From Shinjuku, it takes 1 hour and 10 minutes, which is good access.

5 Reviews

Setouchi Retreat Aonagi

1 Reviews

We can see the beautiful view changes with time, both the time of sunset and daytime blue sky. What's more, there's a lounge where we can enjoy free-drinks for 24 hours a day beside the pool.

Delicious Pudding

Tsubasa Coffee

10 Reviews

4/4 SEASONS COFFEE

4 Reviews

At "All Seasons Coffee" at Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station, which is a short walk from Shinjuku Station, you can enjoy a relaxing cafe time with cream soda and pudding in addition to various coffees. The time to enjoy bitter adult caramel, hard but smooth pudding and coffee is a healing time that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku. Saturdays and Sundays are so popular that they line up.

Afternoon Tea

Twenty Eight

34 Reviews

Atrium Lounge

12 Reviews

Strawberry jewels excites us as soon as we see them. It's a dream-like afternoon tea we can enjoy rare foodstuffs such as ruby chocolate and white strawberry.

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