10 recommended World Heritage temples and shrines to visit at least once

Located in Iwate Prefecture, "Chuson-ji "is registered as a World Heritage Site as "Hiraizumi's World Heritage Site ". "Chuson-ji "was founded in 850, and was later extensively expanded by the Oshu Fujiwara clan in the early 12th century. "The desire of the Oshu Fujiwara to make Michinoku a peaceful place free from war "led to Hiraizumi becoming a peaceful place free from warfare for 100 years.
In addition to Konjikido, there are numerous other historical buildings on the temple grounds. The beautiful old buildings and the seasonal scenery of cherry blossoms, lotuses, autumn leaves, and snow have long fascinated visitors. "Chuson-ji Temple "is a World Heritage Site where you can feel the history of Tohoku.

Location: 202 Koronoseki, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishibai-gun, Iwate Prefecture
Admission: Adults 800 yen / High school students 500 yen / Junior high school students 300 yen / Elementary school students 200 yen
Hours of visit: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Located in Tochigi Prefecture, "Nikko Toshogu "is registered as a World Heritage Site as one of "Nikko's shrines and temples ". "Nikko Toshogu "was built to worship Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate. There are numerous national treasures and important cultural properties in the precincts of the temple, and buildings of historical value can be seen. Starting with the famous Yomeimon Gate, the main shrine is decorated with gorgeous carvings, each one of which will make you lose track of time.
"Nikko Toshogu Shrine "is famous as a power spot. It is a World Heritage site that offers power in honor of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate.

Location: 2301 Yamauchi, Nikko-shi, Tochigi, Japan
Admission: Adults (high school students and older): 1,300 yen / Children (junior high school students and younger): 450 yen
Hours of visit: 9:00 - 17:00

Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha "located in Shizuoka Prefecture "is registered as one of the World Cultural Heritage "Mount Fuji " "Fuji Hongu Sengen Taisha "has been the head shrine of the Mt. Fuji faith for 1,300 years. The main deity is "enshrined as Konohana-no-Sakuyahime no Mikoto ". In its 1300-year history, successive emperors have visited the shrine, and famous military commanders such as Minamoto no Yoritomo, Takeda Shingen, and Tokugawa Ieyasu have also worshipped here. The main shrine is said to have been added by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Behind the beautiful vermilion-lacquered main shrine, there is a beautiful view of Mt. In spring, the cherry blossoms in the precincts are in full bloom, and you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery created by the three red main shrines and Mt. Fuji. This is a World Heritage site where visitors can enjoy a unique Japanese landscape.

Location: 1-1 Miyamachi, Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Admission: Free
Hours of visit: 5:00 - 20:00

"Hanakuto-jinja Shrine "in Mie Prefecture is registered as one of the World Cultural Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range ". "Hanakuto-jinja Shrine "is mentioned in the Japanese mythology "in the Chronicles of Japan "as "the stage of Kuniumi ". It is said to be the oldest shrine in Japan.
"After Izanami no Mikoto "gave birth to the fire god "Kagutsuchi no Mikoto "and died, he made the Hanakutsu as his mausoleum. From the top of the large rock that serves as the deity's body, a large rope extends toward the pine tree that serves as the deity's tree. The great rope, which has been changed by the local people from generation to generation since long ago, is a powerful sight. This World Heritage Site is a place where one can feel the place of faith in Japan that has continued since ancient times.

Location: 130 Arima-cho, Kumano City, Mie Prefecture
Admission: Free
Time to visit：Freedom of visit

Located in Kyoto Prefecture, "Shimogamo-jinja Shrine "is registered as one of the World Cultural Heritage "Cultural Properties of Ancient Kyoto ". It is a historic shrine that has existed since 90 B.C., as there is a record of restoration of the Mizugaki fence in 90 B.C. The shrine has been in existence since B.C. Two deities are enshrined at the shrine: "Kamo Kamo-taketsumi-no-mikoto ", who pioneered the Kyoto area, and "Tamayorihime-no-mikoto ", a female deity. Since the shrine enshrines a female deity, it is beneficial for marriage.
The shrine grounds are spacious, and the approach covered with trees feels cool even in summer. In addition to the main shrine, there are many other shrines, and a god of beauty is also enshrined here, making this a shrine that women will love to visit. Despite its long history, this World Heritage Site has been loved by the citizens of Kyoto as a place of relaxation and recreation until the present day.

Location: 59 Shimogamo-Izumigawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Admission: Free
Hours of visit: 5:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Located in Nara Prefecture, "Kasuga Taisha "is registered as one of the World Cultural Heritage "Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara " The shrine was built in 768 during the Nara period (768-794) by order of the emperor and enshrines four deities. After passing through the gate, visitors will see a vermilion-lacquered corridor. The corridor is dedicated to a large number of lanterns. There are about 3,000 of them dedicated from the Heian period to the present.
Only three times a year, on Setsubun, August 14 and 15, all the lanterns are lit. The light of the lanterns floating in the jet-black darkness creates a fantastic space. The quiet atmosphere of "Kasuga Taisha "allows you to enjoy different looks during the day and at night.

Location: 160 Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Admission: Free
Hours of visit: 6:00 - 18:00

Located in Wakayama Prefecture, "Kumano Nachi Taisha "is registered as one of the World Cultural Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range ". It is a historic shrine founded in 317. "Kumano Nachi-taisha "enshrines eight deities with "Izanami-no-mikoto "as the main deity. "At the back of Kumano Nachi-taisha ", "Nachi-no-mitaki "splashes down. One of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan, "Nachi-otaki "is 133 meters high and is overwhelming in its sheer size. Near the waterfall is "Tobitaki Shrine ", which enshrines "Nachimitaki "as its deity. "After receiving the power of the gods at Kumano Nachi Taisha ", go and get the power of the waterfall as well. It is a World Heritage site where you can feel the power of God and Mother Nature.

Location: 1 Nachiyama, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama Prefecture
Admission: Free
Hours of visit: 7:00 - 16:30

"Itsukushima Shrine "in Hiroshima Prefecture is registered as a World Heritage Site. It was built in 593 during the Nara period (710-794) and stands in its present location, which has been tidal since that time. The shrine enshrines three female deities. Taira no Kiyomori was a devout worshipper, and since then, successive emperors and Mori Motonaga, a military commander of the Warring States period, have visited the shrine.
Take a boat from the mainland of Hiroshima and walk from the port toward "Itsukushima Shrine "and you will see a vermilion-lacquered torii gate floating on the sea. The corridor to the main shrine also floats above the sea, and it is hard to imagine that it was built 1430 years ago. Hearing the sound of the waves and feeling the sea breeze while worshipping at the shrine seems to cleanse the soul.

Location: 1-1 Miyajima-cho, Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Front view: Adults 300yen / High school students 200yen / Elementary and Junior high school students 100yen
Hours of visit: 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

"Shoin Shrine "in Yamaguchi Prefecture is registered as one of the World Cultural Heritage "Industrial Revolutionary Sites of Meiji Japan ". Although the shrine was founded relatively recently, in the Meiji era (1868-1912), it is an important place that laid the foundation of modern Japan. The main deity is Shoin Yoshida. Yoshida Shoin opened the Shoukasonjuku here and produced a number of people who became key figures in the Meiji Restoration. The buildings of Shoukasonjuku still remain and visitors can see the important place that became the foundation for the changes of the times.
In the precincts of the temple, there is an 80-meter path called "Gakubi no Michi ". On both sides of the path are inscribed the words of the great men and women of the late Edo and Meiji periods who studied at Matsushita-murajuku. It is a World Heritage Site where you can experience the romance of history at an important place that can be called a turning point in Japanese history.


Location: 1537 Tsubaki-higashi, Hagi, Yamaguchi
Admission: Free
Time of visit：Free within the country

Located in Fukuoka Prefecture, "Munakata Taisha "is registered as one of the World Cultural Heritage "Sites Related to Munakata and Okinoshima " "Munakata-taisha "consists of three shrines: "Hentsumiya "on mainland Kyushu, "Nakatsumiya "on Oshima Island, and "Okitsumiya "on Okinoshima Island. Each enshrines one goddess.
"Henshugu "has a main shrine with an impressive thatched roof and vermilion-lacquered pillars. Behind the main shrine is "the Takamiya Saiba ", where "the god Ichikishimahime no Kami "is said to have descended. The "Nakatsugu "on Oshima is surrounded by trees and has a quiet atmosphere. And Okinoshima Island, where "Okitsumiya "is located, is an isolated island in the Sea of Japan, where women are forbidden. The entire island is sacred and off limits to the general public. It is a precious World Heritage site that has been protected as a sacred place of prayer since time immemorial.

Location: 2331 Tajima, Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Admission: Free
Time of visit：Free within the country

We have introduced 10 temples and shrines registered as World Heritage sites in Japan. Some temples, shrines and temples have been worshipped by people since long ago and are still loved by local people, while others are still closed to the public as places of sacred worship. All of these places are essential to the history of Japan. Why not take a trip to Japan's World Heritage sites?