Did you know that Japan has 16 locations on the list of UNESCO World Heritages? Could you name them all with any sum of money on the line?
Survey Research Center, Co. Ltd. conducted a survey that showed that most people could not. When asked whether they were interested in Japan’s world heritages, 67.8% of those surveyed responded affirmatively. However, only 4% of respondents knew all 16 Japanese sites.
See how many you can name before looking at the list below:
1. Yakushima [Kagoshima Prefecture]
2. Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) [Hiroshima Prefecture]
3. Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Ryukyu Islands [Okinawa Prefecture]
4. Itsukushima Shinto Shrine [Hiroshima Prefecture]
5. Shiretoko [Hokkaido Prefecture]
6. Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land [Iwate Prefecture]
7. Ogasawara Islands [Tokyo Metropolis]
8. Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama [Gifu Prefecture]
9. Himeji-jo [Hyogo Prefecture]
10. Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape [Shimane Prefecture]
11. Shirakami-Sanchi [Akita and Aomori Prefectures]
12. Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area [Nara Prefecture]
13. Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) [Kyoto Prefecture]
14. Shrines and Temples of Nikko [Tochigi Prefecture]
15. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara [Nara Prefecture]
16. Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range [Nara, Wakayama and Mie Prefectures]
How did you do? You might have noticed that both natural locations and manmade structures can qualify as world heritages.
The survey also showed that over half of Japanese tourists add the option of visiting a world heritage site when they take a tour on vacation.
Find out more about world heritage sites by watching “The World Heritage” on TBS at 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 27. The first program will focus on natural heritages, and the program that airs on Sunday, December 4 will deal with cultural assets.
Watching these shows and learning more about world heritages will surely enrich your mind and deepen your appreciation of Japanese history, and they may even give you some ideas for your next trip within Japan.
Source: TBS “The World Heritage”
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Origin: Japan’s World Heritages Fly Well Under Radar
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