The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, or the World Heritage Convention, was adopted at the 17th General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1972. The convention was based on the idea that the cultural and natural heritage of the world were irreplaceable treasures that needed to be protected for the people of the world.  

There are three World Heritage Sites in Nara Prefecture.

 (Registered in 1993)

The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area include temple buildings that were built in a style adopted from that of the Northern Wei Dynasty of China and are the world's oldest wooden buildings. In acknowledgment of the tremendous impact these buildings had on architectural style, they were registered as World Heritage Sites in 1933.

The buildings in the Horyu-ji temple compound are laid out in a unique style that is known as Horyu-ji style, and feature the oldest wooden buildings in existence, including the main temple building and the five-storied pagoda. This style represents the architecture of the Asuka Period. 

In addition, the three-storied pagoda at Hoki-ji temple (like Horyu-ji temple, a complex with deep ties to Prince Shotoku) is the oldest three-storied pagoda in Japan, and the only surviving original building at the temple, which was constructed in 708.

These Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area have survived over 1400 years to present those of us in the present with the structures of the past.

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area Registered Properties
　　・Horyu-ji Temple
　　・Hoki-ji Temple

(Registered in 1998)

The Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara consist of eight properties. The eight properties express the history and culture of Nara as a whole, rather than separately, and were registered as a collective cultural heritage site in 1998. 

In 710, the capital city of Nara, or Heijo-kyo, was built in emulation of Chang'an, the then capital city of China (Tang Dynasty). It was a very international city, with vigorous cultural exchange between China and Korea taking place. This exchange resulted in higher cultural and artistic standards for both buildings and artwork, and the buildings that saw the establishment of the basis of Japan as a nation 1300 years ago can still be viewed today.

On the continent, which had a huge effect on Japan, the wooden buildings constructed at that time have mostly disappeared. Ancient Nara had a "Culture of Wood" that was unique in Japan, and because of its surviving buildings, Nara is recognized as a very valuable heritage site from a world history perspective. 

Cultural Assets of Ancient Nara
　・Todai-ji Temple
　・Kofuku-ji Temple
　・Kasuga Taisha Shrine
　・Gango-ji Temple
　・Yakushi-ji Temple
　・Toshodai-ji Temple
　・Heijyo-kyo Palace Site
　・Kasugayama Primeval Forest

(Registered in 2004)

The Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range comprise the sacred sites of Yoshino, Omine and Kumano, tied together by the pilgrimage route known as the Omine Okugakemichi route, the Kumano Sankeimichi Kohechi route and the Nakaheji and Iseji routes.

The 1,000-meter tall mountains of the Kii Mountain Range straddle Nara Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture and Mie Prefecture, and for more than 1,000 years many practitioners of austere Buddhism and visitors have walked their paths. Even today, these mountains are a source of support for people's sacred beliefs. The area conveys Japanese culture, but in addition, this extremely important area contains many cultural assents and abundant nature, all still in good condition. Because of this, the area was registered as a World Heritage Site in July 2004.

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range Registered Assets

　　・ Mt. Yoshino (Important historical places and sceneries)
　　・ Kinpusen-ji Temple (National Treasure）
　　・ Yoshino Mikumari Jinja Shrine (Important Cultural Asset)
　　・ Ominesan-ji Temple (Important Cultural Asset)　
    ・ Kinpu Jinja Shrine (Important Cultural Asset)
　　・ Yoshimizu Jinja Shrine (Important Cultural Asset)
　　・ Omine Okugakemichi Route
　　・ Kumano Sankeimichi Kohechi Path 

So, come to Nara! Overcome time and space to experience real history and culture!

Number of World Heritage Sites: 878 worldwide; 14 in Japan; 3 in Nara (As of July 2008)