Japan has several ancient and historical landmarks that reveal much of its past. Scattered all over the country, the following world heritage sites are great attractions to visit to learn more about Japan as it was in earlier times:

Kyoto Temples and Shrines

A former Japanese capital, Kyoto served as the empire’s cradle from 794 to 1868. It is home to various shrines and temples that have played significant roles in Japanese history.

The Nijo Castle, right at the centre of the city, used to be the residence of the first shogun of the Edo or Tokugawa Period, between 1603 and 1867. Surrounding it are a number of temples and shrines that include the Shimogamo-jinja, Ginkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Kamigamo-jinja, Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Tenryu-ji, Ninnaji, Saiho-ji, and Kozan-ji.

Itsukushima Shrine

The most notable attraction of the island of Miyajima, the Itsukushima Shrine is best known for its large torii gate that appears to be afloat in the sea during high tides. It is a complex that is made up of a number of buildings that house a main hall, a noh theater stage, and a prayer hall, each of which is linked by wooden walkways above the waters.

Horyu-ji

A 1,408-year-old Buddhist temple, Horyu-ji is one of Japan’s oldest temples. It is located in Nara and is home to the oldest surviving wooden structures in the world.

Its grounds are divided into two precincts – the Western Precinct, which contains the oldest surviving wooden structures in the world, built somewhere between 538 and 710 (Asuka Period): the main hall called Kondo, the central gate known as Chumon, and a five-storey pagoda – and the Eastern Precinct, where the Yumedono, an octagonal structure that was built in honor of Prince Shotoku, stands.

Shirikawa-go and Gokayama

Found in the remote areas along the Shogawa River Valley, Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are two regions that are popular for their centuries-old farmhouses.

Known as gassho-zukuri farmhouses, these structures have steep thatched roofing that look like the hands of praying Buddhist monks. Despite being a very old architectural style, the design has proven to be long-standing, as these roofs can handle tons of snow in winter time.

A-Bomb Dome

The A-Bomb Dome is the remnants of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. It is located in the spacious Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park that commemorates the unfortunate events of the war.