In 1992, Japan accepted the World Heritage Convention (Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage) that was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972 (came into force in 1975). It was 1993 that the first inscription of Japanese properties on the World Heritage List. As of August 2026, 1,273 sites have been inscribed on the list, of which 991 are cultural sites, 240 are natural sites, and 42 are mixed sites. Among them are 27 World Heritage sites in Japan, including 22 cultural sites and 5 natural sites.

List of World Heritage sites in Japan

Sado Island Gold Mines Doyu-no-Warito ©Nishiyama Hoichi

Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun © Sakai City

Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan Sannai Maruyama Site Source: JOMON ARCHIVES

Data and References

In nomination:

There are currently no cultural heritage sites being nominated.

Links:

• Japanese Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
  
• World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage in Japan (Permanent Delegation of Japan to UNESCO)
  
• The Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (latest verstion) (World Heritage Center website)