Best World Heritage Sites

Amazing View Of A World Heritage Site From The ObservatoryShirakawago

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.

World Heritage Including The Gorgeous Yōmei-mon ArchNikko Toshogu Shrine

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.  

World Heritage Gokayama, The Snow Scenery Of Gassho Zukuri HousesGokayama Village Of Gassho Houses

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.

Stunning View Of A World Heritage! Pure White Himeji Castle Above The Cherry BlossomsHimeji Castle

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!

Winter Event! A World Heritage Glover Garden's Illumination & The Night View Of NagasakiGlover Garden

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.

Impressed By Tears! This Is World Heritage Site, You Definitely Want To See Before You Die Sagrada Familia

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.

Good Fortune By Mame-maki & Walking Around The Seven Deities! Setsubun-kai At A World Heritage SiteTenryu Temple

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!

A World Heritage, Itsukushima Shrine You Can See Also Wild AnimalsItsukushima Shrine

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.

A Phoenix Hall, A World Heritage Floating On The LakeByodoin Temple

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.

Rise and Fall, the Ruins that Recall Worker's Sprit at that time, Spotlighted Again as the World HeritageGunkanjima Island

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.

A World Heritage Having Supported The Modernization Of JapanTomioka Silk Mill

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

Breathtaking Panoramic View From The World HeritageKatsuren Castle

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.

Lightened 'Kompon Daito' A Symbol Of A World Heritage 'Koya-san'Danjo Garan

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.

The Autumn Scenery Of A World Heritage TempleHouki-ji Temple

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.

The Milky Way Of A World Heritage Onigajō CliffOnigajō Cliff

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.

To the World of Harry Potter. Too Beautiful World Heritage Canterbury Cathedral CorridorCanterbury Cathedral

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.

France's Leading World Heritage Site Mont Saint Michel

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.

Must See Someday! Kinkaku-ji Shining With Pure White SnowKinkakuji Temple

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.

Be Enchanted by Beautiful Amulets of Shimogamo Shrine, Also Known as Kamo Mizu Shrine, World Cultural Heritage Site Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya Shrine)

The amulet at Shimogamo Shrine is said to be extremely beautiful. The most popular amulet, made of delicate openwork lace, has Shimogamo Shrine's divine emblem Futaba Aoi and Wisteria Pattern woven into it, and when held up to the sky, its delicate beauty becomes even more vivid. It is said that if you carry it carefully or display it in a clean room, it will bring you good luck. Please note that the seasonal charm with a snowflake motif is only available during the winter season.