Culture.

Architecture.

Nature.

Japan's heritage.

Japan Heritage is the real Japan. The unique culture and traditions shaped by the nature, climate, and people of Japan over centuries can be found in every corner of this island nation. Japan Heritage ranges from iconic cultural properties known around the world to little-known gems far from the beaten track.

 

Here are some of the Japanese sites that are famous for art, history, culture and nature trails.

Mount Koya

UNISCO World Heritage, Kobo Daishi is founder of Shingo Buddhism.

The two most prominent buildings of the Garan are the Kondo Hall and the huge Konpon Daito Pagoda with three mandalas.

Okunoin, a sacred place where Kobo Daishi is enrolled, a mausoleum and a myth at sacred sites with 200,000 tombstones lining two kilometers with families of feudal lords and historical figures.

 

Reihokan Museum of religious works of art and scroll depicting Reclining Image of Sakyamuni Buddha on His Last Day.

 

Lodging a traditional temple with vegetarian Buddhist dinner

 

 

Kumano Kodo

A UNESCO Word Heritage site bubbling with deep spatiality and natural springs.

Home to abundant, gushing hot spring and waterfalls, main scared of Kumano Kodo.

The architectural brilliance of Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine

The pilgrimage routes developed to sacred areas on the Kii Peninsula. At the center of this religious area are the three Kumano shrines: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha known as Kumano Sanzan.

 

Naoshima Island

Naoshima is an “Art” island in the Seto Inland Sea that is known for its contemporary art museums, architecture and sculptures.  The island with its Mediterranean atmosphere, sandy beaches and sunny weather, combined with a laid back.

 

Yayoi Kusama’s polka-dotted Pumpkins; Benesse’s museums were designed by the well known Japanese architect Ando Tadao, that include the Chichu Art Museum, Lee Ufan Museum and all the buildings of the Bennesse House.  The island serves as a main venue of the Setouchi Triennale art festival.

 

Miho Museum

Situated amid the abundant natural beauty of the mountains of Shigaraki, the Miho Museum was designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, best known for designing the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris.  It’s named after Koyama Mihoko, the founder of the museum,

 

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the museum is the design of its structures and how they are integrated into their natural surroundings. 

 

The museum’s exhibits consist of works from ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Romans and various Asian cultures, with the pieces largely coming from Koyama’s private collection. The main exhibition changes every year or so, and special exhibitions change every few months.

 

Mount Fuji Kawaguchiko

The best views of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from the lake’s northern shores and are particularly breathtaking during the cherry blossom season around mid April.

 

Oshino Hokkai is a touristy set of eight ponds in Oshino, a small village in the Fuji Five Lake region, located between Lake Kawaguchiko and Lake Yamankako.  The nearby Itchiku Kubota Art Museum is famous for its kimono collection and traditional gardens.

 

 

 

 

American Mura Canada Museum (Wakayama Heritage Travel)

The American village in Kishu area when many emigrants to Canada brought back western culture.   It is a museum commemorate the first batch of 3000 North American bound immigrants from Wakayama Prefecture in 1888. Museum displays many fishermen tools, daily life Utensils, Certificates, and ID papers.

 

Emigrants from Mio District worked in fishing and foresty.  After they came back, they built western-style homes, spoke with English words in their conversations and introduced Canadian lifestyles.