Itsukushima Shrine (Japan)
Registered in: 1996
World Heritage Type: Cultural Heritage
Registration criteria:
•It is a masterpiece that represents the creative genius of humanity.
• It represents a significant exchange of human values in the development of architecture, technology, monuments, town planning and landscape architecture over a given period or in a given cultural area of the world.
- It is an outstanding example of an architectural style or of an architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates an important stage in human history.
- It has a direct or tangible association with an event, living tradition, idea, belief or artistic or literary work of outstanding universal value (although this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with the other criteria).
Access: Approximately 78 km from Hiroshima Airport, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes by car and ferry
Atomic Bomb Dome (Japan)
Registered in: 1996
World Heritage Type: Cultural Heritage
Registration criteria:
- It has a direct or tangible association with an event, living tradition, idea, belief or artistic or literary work of outstanding universal value (although this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with the other criteria).
Access: Approximately 53 km from Hiroshima Airport, approximately 55 minutes by car
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins and its Cultural Landscape (Japan)
Registered in: 2007
World Heritage Type: Cultural Heritage
Registration criteria:
• It represents a significant exchange of human values in the development of architecture, technology, monuments, town planning and landscape architecture over a given period or in a given cultural area of the world.
- They bear unique or rare testimony to a cultural tradition or a civilisation, still living or already extinct.
It must be an outstanding example of traditional human settlements, land or sea use, or human interaction with the environment that characterises a culture (or cultures), especially when its survival is threatened by irresistible historical forces.
Access: Approximately 67km from Izumo Airport, approximately 1 hour 35 minutes by car
A beautiful place of prayer with 1400 years of history, the World Heritage Site Itsukushima Shrine
Itsukushima (Miyajima) is a sacred island that sits in the calm Seto Inland Sea and has long been revered by people. Itsukushima Shrine, registered as a World Heritage Site in 1996, is located on this island, which is counted among the "Three Scenic Views of Japan" along with Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture.
Said to have been founded at the end of the 6th century, the shrine was built to its current size during the Heian period. Standing behind Mount Misen, towering over the center of the island, the shrine is impressive for its unique layout that uses the sea as its site. When the tide is in, the shrine appears beautiful, as if it is floating on the sea. Another highlight is the beauty of the Shinden-zukuri architecture, which continues the architectural style of the late Heian period. The main hall, flat stage, and high stage, which are connected by a vermilion-painted corridor with a total length of approximately 270 meters, are designated as national treasures. Other highlights include the large vermilion-painted torii gate that rises above the sea and the Noh stage that stands on the sea, which are Important Cultural Properties.
A symbol of peace that connects the memories of the atomic bombing: the Atomic Bomb Dome, a World Heritage Site
The Atomic Bomb Dome, standing facing the Motoyasu River that runs through the center of Hiroshima City, is a cultural heritage that continues to convey the memory of the first atomic bomb in human history. The original building was a European-style structure designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel and completed in 1915 as the Hiroshima Prefectural Products Exhibition Hall. Its beautiful appearance was once beloved as one of Hiroshima's famous landmarks. However, on August 6, 1945, this beautiful building, located about 160 meters northwest of the hypocenter, was transformed into a horrible sight by the intense blast and heat rays of the atomic bomb. The steel frame was exposed and the walls collapsed.
After the war, this building was left exactly as it was at the time of the bombing, and eventually came to be known as the "Atomic Bomb Dome." In 1967, the first construction work was carried out to preserve the building in its post-bomb state. Further preservation work has been carried out since then, and the building continues to be protected today as a historical heritage symbolizing the tragedy of the atomic bombing and the desire for peace. Within the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park where the Atomic Bomb Dome is located, you will also find the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bombing. Why not take the time to quietly gaze upon this World Heritage Site filled with prayers for peace?
Silver mines and industrial ruins that influenced the world World Heritage Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins and its cultural landscape
Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine was discovered in 1526 by the wealthy Kyushu merchant Kamiya Jutei, and is Japan's largest silver mine, where large amounts of silver were extracted for about 400 years until it was closed in 1923. Japan was once one of the world's leading silver producing countries, and it is said that at its peak from the mid-16th century to the early 17th century, it accounted for "about one-third of the world's silver." And the majority of that silver was mined at Iwami Ginzan. The high quality of the silver from Iwami Ginzan was widely known in Europe and East Asia, and it had a huge impact on global trade.
Iwami Ginzan became a World Heritage Site in 2007. It was registered as a cultural heritage site as "Iwami Ginzan Ruins and its Cultural Background" in recognition of its contribution to the cultural exchange between East and West and its environmentally friendly mining operation that coexists with nature. The World Heritage Site consists of 14 locations scattered throughout Ota City, including the former towns of Yunotsu and Nima. These include the remains of the mines, residential areas of people involved in silver production, the transportation routes that connected the mines to the port, the port where silver was shipped, and the surrounding port towns. You can visit the remains of the mine tunnels, Ryugenji Mabu, which are always open to the public, or visit the historical buildings scattered throughout the town of Omori, which developed alongside the silver mine. Follow your curiosity and enjoy the charms of this World Heritage Site.
A trip to Hiroshima and Shimane to visit three World Heritage sites
There are three World Heritage sites scattered across Hiroshima and Shimane. If you want to visit these cultural heritage sites, each with its own unique character, we recommend a three-day, two-night trip using a rental car.
For example, on the first day, you can start your trip from Izumo Airport and first visit Izumo Taisha Shrine to pray for a smooth journey. In the afternoon, drive for about an hour and a half to visit the first World Heritage Site, "Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine Ruins and its Cultural Background." In the evening, enjoy a relaxing hot spring in Yunotsu.
On the second day, we will travel across the Chugoku region and head straight to Hiroshima. It takes about two hours by car from Iwami Ginzan to the center of Hiroshima city, so if you leave in the morning, you should be able to leisurely visit the Atomic Bomb Dome in the afternoon. Of course, you can enjoy plenty of local delicacies such as okonomiyaki and oysters for dinner.
On the third day, we finally head to Itsukushima Shrine. After a 10-minute ferry ride from Miyajimaguchi, we arrive at Miyajima. In addition to Itsukushima Shrine, the island has many other sights, including the five-story pagoda, the Miyajima Ropeway, and Mount Misen. Another attraction of this trip is the Miyajima specialty, conger eel cuisine, which is a must-try.
Travel writer/Toru Yoshihara
If you want to visit World Heritage sites, we recommend using the Hiroshima World Heritage Route, which connects Itsukushima Shrine and the Atomic Bomb Dome in about 45 minutes. Also, a night cruise where you can see Itsukushima Shrine and the large torii gate at night is romantic!
The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
