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CulturalRef. 661

Himeji Castle

Cultural World Heritage property in Japan, inscribed in 1993 under criteria (i), (iv).

Himeji Castle, Japan
Photo: Nikos Kitsakis · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Amami-Ōshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote IslandAncient Capitals of Asuka and FujiwaraAncient Villages in Southern Anhui - Xidi and HongcunBaekje Historic AreasBuddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji AreaCapital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo KingdomCentral Axis of BeijingCentral Sikhote-AlinChangdeokgungChengde Mountain Resort and its outlying templesClassical Gardens of SuzhouFujian Tulou sitesFujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspirationGaya TumuliGetbol, Korean Tidal FlatsGochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen SitesGoguryeo tombsGrand CanalGulangyuGusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of RyukyuGyeongju Historic AreasHidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki RegionHimeji CastleHiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure LandHiroshima Peace MemorialHistoric Centre of MacaoHistoric Monuments and Sites in KaesongHistoric Monuments of Ancient KyotoHistoric Monuments of Ancient NaraHistoric Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth”Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and YangdongHistoric Villages of Shirakawa-gō and GokayamaHuangshanHwaseong FortressImperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and ShenyangItsukushima ShrineIwami Ginzan Silver MineJanggyeon Panjeon of HaeinsaJeju Volcanic Island and Lava TubesJingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry SitesJōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern JapanJongmyoLiangzhu siteLushan Quaternary Glaciation National GeoparkMigratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I)Mount KumgangMount SanqingMount TaiMount WutaiMozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient JapanNamhansanseongOgasawara ArchipelagoPetroglyphs along the Bangucheon StreamQuanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan ChinaRoyal Tombs of the Joseon DynastySacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata RegionSacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain RangeSado Island Gold MinesSansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in KoreaSeokguram Grotto and Bulguksa TempleSeowon, Korean Neo-Confucian AcademiesShirakami-SanchiShiretokoShrines and Temples of NikkōSites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal MiningSummer PalaceTemple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in QufuTemple of HeavenThe Great WallThe Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Industrial HeritageWest Lake Cultural Landscape of HangzhouWuyi MountainsXanaduYakushimaYinxuYungang GrottoesZhoukoudian site34.839° N, 134.694° E
State Party
Japan
Year of inscription
1993
Criteria
iiv
Area of property
107 ha
Location
Himeji, Shikitō district
What it is
Japanese castle, hirayamajiro
Founded or built
1609
Component parts
9 (serial property)
Landform
Harima Plain
Next to
Senba River
Visitors a year
1,532,111 (2024) · ranking
Official website
himejicastle.jp/
Reference
WHC 661 · Wikidata Q188754

Why it is on the List

(i)A masterpiece of human creative genius.(iv)An outstanding example of a building type, ensemble or landscape that illustrates a significant stage in human history.
nearby

Closest World Heritage sites

Straight-line distance between the recorded coordinates.

Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan, Japan89 kmMozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient JapanJapan · 2019CulturalBuddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji Area, Japan98 kmBuddhist Monuments in the Hōryū-ji AreaJapan · 1993CulturalHistoric Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, Japan100 kmHistoric Monuments of Ancient KyotoJapan · 1994CulturalHistoric Monuments of Ancient Nara, Japan106 kmHistoric Monuments of Ancient NaraJapan · 1998CulturalAncient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara, Japan111 kmAncient Capitals of Asuka and FujiwaraJapan · 2026CulturalSacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, Japan149 kmSacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain RangeJapan · 2004Cultural
Japan

More sites in Japan

All 27
1993

Also inscribed in 1993

All of 1993

Data: Wikidata (CC0) · danger list as published in 2026 · independent atlas, not affiliated with UNESCO or Petit Futé.