Experience Japanese culture !

Tokyo has been capital since 1868. While here is one of the biggest city in thw world, old shrines and temples are remained anywhere in the city. You can enjoy contrast of modern aspects and historic spots together.

Kamakura was the capital from the end of 12th century to middle of 14th century, 1333.
Located 50km from Tokyo, Kamakura is tourism spot with regulations to save old rows of houses.
There remains a lot of historic spots, temples, and shrines.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikkō encompasses 103 buildings or structures and the natural setting around them.
It is located in Nikkō, 150 km from Tokyo.
The buildings belong to two Shinto shrines (Futarasan Shrine and Tōshō-gū) and one Buddhist temple (Rinnō-ji).
UNESCO listed the site as World Heritage in 1999.

The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama are one of Japan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites designated in 1995.
These villages are well known for their houses constructed in architectural style known as gasshō-zukuri, "prayer-hands construction" style, which is characterized by a thatched and steeply slanting roof resembling two hands joined in prayer.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) encompasses 17 locations in Japan.
13 are Buddhist temples; 3 are Shinto shrines and 1 is a castle.
UNESCO listed the site as World Heritage in 1994. Kyoto is located 500km from Tokyo, or 45km from Osaka.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara encompasses 8 places in the old capital Nara.
5 are Buddhist temples, 1 is a Shinto shrine, 1 is a Palace and 1 a primeval forest.
UNESCO listed the site as World Heritage in 1998.
Nara is located 50km from Osaka, 40km from Kyoto, or 555km from Tokyo.

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located 60km from Osaka.
The locations and paths for this heritage site were based on their historical and modern importance in religious pilgrimages.
It was also noted for its fusion of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and a well documented history of traditions over 1,200 years.

Hiroshima has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites designates in 1996.
A-Bomb Dome is a part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park,
which building serves as a memorial to the people who died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.
Itsukushima Shrine is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima).
The first shrine buildings were probably erected in the 6th century, and the shrine has been destroyed many times. The present shrine dates from the mid-16th century, having been rebuilt in keeping with its earlier 12th century design.
Hiroshima is located 900km from Tokyo or 350km from Osaka.

Many Gusuku, which is the Okinawan word for "castle" or "fortress.",
in standard Japanese, the same kanji is pronounced "shiro",
and related cultural remains in the Ryūkyū Islands have been listed by UNESCO
as World Heritage Sites under the title Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, in 2000.