What is "World Heritage"?
Our planet, the earth has fostered magnificent nature. Humankind has developed a variety of cultures here also. Cultural and natural heritage raises questions about the human existence, and universal values common to all humanity can be found out within.

Overview of the World Heritage Convention
The state parties cooperate to preserve the cultural and natural heritage situated in various parts of the world. The convetion that sets out this constitution was adopted at the 17th session of the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972. It is called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, or the World Heritage Convention.
Number of inscribed properties in the world until December 2006 in the world in Japan
Cultural heritage: Monuments, groups of buildings, sites including cultural landscapes. 660 11
Natural heritage: Geo-scientifically important areas, biologically important areas, beautifully science areas of nature. 166 3
Mixed properties: Meeting the criteria for both cultural and natural heritage. 25 0
Total (until July 2007) : 851 14

The World Heritage in Japan
Cultural Heritage

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (1993)

 Cultural@Heritage

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (1998)
Shrines and Temples of Nikko (1999)

Himeji-jo (1993)

 Gusuku Sites and Related Propertiesof the Kingdom of Ryukyu (2000)
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
(Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (1994)

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (2004)
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (1995) Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape (2007)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (1996)

 Natural Heritage

Shirakami-sanchi (1993)
Yakushima (1993)

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (1996)

 Shiretoko (2005)

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara in the World Heritage List
6 Properties which have buildings desinated as the National Treasures and of which the areas are designated as the Historic Sites.
The Todai-ji Temple, the Kofuku-ji Temple, the Kasuga-Taisha Shrine,
the Gango-ji Temple, the Yakushi-ji Temple and the Tosyodai-ji Temple.
2 properties designated as Special Historic Sites or Special Natural Monuments.
The Nara Palace Site and the Kasugayama Primeval Forest.