The UNESCO World Heritage List is a prestigious designation that recognizes landmarks and areas of cultural, historical, scientific, or natural significance, and being added to the list acknowledges the global importance of these sites alongside their preservation and protection for future generations. Japan already boasts a number of sites on the World Heritage List, including historic landmarks like Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji, the iconic Mount Fuji, and the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama.
In an exciting development, Japan has officially recommended the ancient capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara (located in present-day Nara Prefecture) for UNESCO World Heritage status. The Japanese government submitted the proposal earlier this week, aiming for the capitals to be inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2026. These ancient capitals date back to the late 6th to early 8th century, and the proposal for their UNESCO recognition includes 19 significant assets such as the ruins of imperial palaces and burial mounds. The full list of significant assets that form part of the recommendation can be found here (in Japanese).
What's next?
The next steps involve an on-site survey conducted by a UNESCO advisory panel in the fall of 2025. If the evaluation goes as planned, the World Heritage Committee will review the recommendation in the summer of 2026, where a final decision will be made. The inclusion of Asuka and Fujiwara on the World Heritage list would be a significant recognition of Japan's early historical and cultural legacy.
