One of Japan’s oldest breweries carries on the craft as UNESCO registers Japanese sake brewing as Intangible Cultural Heritage this month.
UNESCO
The imagination of Hayao Miyazaki, captured in tapestry, can now be viewed by the public for a limited time.
If approved, the new additions would join one dance already on the list under the collective title of “Elegant Dances.”
A railway up the mountain aims to eliminate vehicles on the road to the fifth station but the round-trip fare for passengers won’t be cheap.
Unfortunately, kids in northern Japan don’t get a pass this year from the UNESCO-recognized, fearsome namahage.
If you’re planning a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage sites at Nikko in the near future, you’ll be missing out on two of the most famous original wood carvings in the area.
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These stunning images show how craftsmen keep their UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage alive during the coldest months of the year.
Congratulations, Japan; you’re on your way to being awarded yet another UNESCO World Heritage honor!
This time around the honor will be going to “Sites of Japan Meiji Industrial Revolution,” which includes Nagasaki’s legendary (and awesomely spooky) “Battleship Island” among others, granted it passes the final approval stage.
Kiyomizu Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Higashiyama, Kyoto. Kiyomizu, which means “pure water,” takes its name from the waterfall which runs off the nearby hillside. However, it is perhaps most famous for its grand viewing veranda, a sort of stage on tall pillars that juts out of the hillside and commands beautiful views of the surrounding area. But a single visit to Kiyomizu doesn’t do it justice – you need to see it against a backdrop of cherry blossoms in springtime, bright red leaves in the autumn, and of course there’s the yearly illuminations! Luckily for those of us who don’t live in Kyoto, Kiyomizu Temple has set up its own dedicated Instagram account, and the photos that they’ve been uploading are completely breathtaking!
Toyama Bay (Toyama-wan, 富山湾), nestled between Toyama and Ishikawa Prefectures in the Hokuriku region of Japan, was formally inducted into the Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club on October 19. The bay is only the second place in Japan following Miyagi Prefecture’s Matsushima to be officially recognized by the global association. After doing some digging, we’ve discovered the incredible charms that the bay has to offer. Love mountains? Check. Love seafood? Double check. Keep reading after the jump to fall in love with Toyama Bay for yourself!
There are a few things people hope to find while hiking to the top of Mt. Fuji. Almost everyone looks forward to the breathtaking vistas. Others hope for the added bonus of comradery with their fellow hikers. Some may even expect to gain some insight into the Japanese spirit or national character by reaching the country’s highest peak.
But you know what no one goes to Mt. Fuji for an eyeful of? Feces. Unfortunately, visitors are becoming more and more likely to run across a pile of poo on the mountain, and that’s not only costing Mt. Fuji some of its cultural luster, it might also mean the end of its UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
With Mt. Fuji having recently been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site on June 22, souvenir makers have rushed to cash in on the mountain’s new found fame offering everything from rice bowls to beer glasses crafted in the shape of the iconic volcano.
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Luhur Batukaru Temple, Tabanan, Bali
Indonesia’s Bali Island is full of beautiful temples like the Luhar Batukaru Temple. This temple, strategically located on the southern slope of Bali’s second-highest volcano, protects Bali from evil spirits.
The area surrounding this temple and three other sites in Bali were only recently added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. On June 24th, at the World Heritage Committee’s meeting, held this year in St. Petersburg, Russia, these sites became a part of the expanding World Heritage Site list.
Now Bali has four World Heritage Sites! What sort of place gets to be a Heritage Site? In order to give you an idea, we headed straight away to Bali to show you these recent additions of officially recognized treasures in our world. Read More












Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
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Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
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Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
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No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
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Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
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We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
We Order Whopper With 1050 Bacon Strips, Struggle to Level Comically Huge Burger
Chance to play Tetris on a massive staircase in Kyoto Station coming in March
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