Gallery - Some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan

I once had a discussion in class about the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and I asked them to list the number of sites that they have already visited inside and outside of Japan. I told them I have only seen two: Vigan City in the Philippines (which I visited a few years ago), and Shirakawa-go in Gifu prefecture. Turns out, my students knew me better and they quickly corrected my numbers, reminding me of the other places that I have already visited in Japan, such as Kyoto, Hiroshima and Mount Fuji. As of this writing, Japan is home to 18 cultural and 4 natural properties inscribed on the World Heritage list, with 8 sites that are on the tentative list: Cultural:Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji AreaFujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspirationGusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki RegionHimeji-joHiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure LandHiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama Itsukushima Shinto Shrine Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range Shrines and Temples of Nikko Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal MiningThe Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites Natural:Ogasawara IslandsShirakami-SanchiShiretokoYakushima While I'm definitely glad that I've already been to more than two of the cultural sites, I realized that I'm not even halfway through the list. Also, while I've already been to Nagasaki twice, I still have not fully explored that prefecture enough to see its much treasured locations. So, I guess this could be my theme or goal for future travels. I definitely need to find time (and money) to get to those destinations, but for now, allow me to share with you the World Heritage sites that I have already been blessed to visit.