Japan's World Heritage Sites: Unique Culture, Unique Nature

Visit the most compelling cultural and nature sites in all of Japan!

In Japan's World Heritage Sites, readers are introduced to the temples, gardens, castles and natural wonders for which Japan is so justly renowned—all of those now declared to be UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Author John Dougill describes each site in detail, stating why they were singled out by UNESCO, the current number and types of sites, the application process, how the sites have been selected, and how difficult it is to be given the special status of a World Heritage Site.

Dougill traveled to all of the sites in Japan to research this book. These are without a doubt the most interesting sites that Japan has to offer, including:

• Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest and most sacred volcano.
• Himeji Castle, a monument from Japan's long feudal history.
• Horyu-ji Temple, the world's oldest surviving wooden structure
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial or Atomic-Bomb Dome
• The Ogasawara Islands, a remote archipelago of over 30 islands—including Iwo Jima

Readers will learn how Japan first became involved with the World Heritage Sites program back in 1993, the importance of these designations, and their popularity in Japan, where they are visited by millions of people annually.