Sacred rope replaced above 133-meter waterfall at Japan World Heritage site
An event to replace a shimenawa sacred rope hanging above a World Heritage waterfall was held Monday to prepare for an upcoming festival at Kumano Nachi Grand Shrine in Wakayama Prefecture. The event, which takes place twice a year, was initially scheduled for last Thursday ...
Japan hits back against South Korean criticism over World Heritage sites
The government hit back Wednesday at South Korea's efforts to have Japanese historical sites removed from the UNESCO World Heritage list, dismissing claims that it has failed to recognize the suffering of Koreans who were forced to work at some of the facilities during ...
South Korea to seek removal of Japanese sites from UNESCO World Heritage list
Seoul has said material on the sites fails to show Koreans were coerced to work there during World War II despite a pledge by Tokyo to make that clear.
Mount Fuji to be closed to climbers this summer due to virus
For the first time it at least 60 years, Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures opt to not open all four trails to the top of the iconic mountain.
Residents in UNESCO candidate site near Okinawa face up to delay in screening process
Residents of an island chain near Okinawa are frustrated because the coronavirus pandemic has delayed the assessment process for its UNESCO World Heritage listing.
World Heritage Sites in Japan on alert against infections as Golden Week holidays start
Host municipalities, many in rural areas, wary over potential medical care challenges if coronavirus spreads via tourism to their areas.
Japan government aims to restore Okinawa's gutted Shuri Castle by 2026
The government on Friday decided it would aim to restore the gutted Shuri Castle in Okinawa by 2026, with full-fledged reconstruction to begin in 2022. The government aims to enhance fire-prevention measures by installing sprinklers, previously missing at the castle, and automatic fire-detector alarms. Structural ...
Volunteers pitch in to help restore gutted Shuri Castle in Okinawa
Volunteers joined in Monday to help with the reconstruction of the historic Shuri Castle, an Okinawa landmark destroyed by fire last year, cleaning the distinctive red roof tiles that are to be used in the restoration. The volunteer work had been delayed nearly three weeks ...
In the footsteps of Okinawa's forgotten priestesses
Utaki (sacred sites) are scattered throughout the islands of Okinawa. Historically the purview of priestesses and kings, these sites have recently seen an uptick in visitors interested in exploring their own history.
UNESCO warns COVID-19 threatens 'right to education' as 290 million miss school
Almost 300 million students worldwide were facing weeks at home on Thursday, with Italy the latest country to shut schools due to the deadly new coronavirus and the IMF urging an all-out global offensive against the epidemic. More than 95,000 people have been infected and ...
The parks surrounding Japan's historic castles are among the best spots to enjoy cherry blossoms. For a brief period every year, the cherry blossoms conspire with the regal architecture to create a spectacular sight.
Panel to seek UNESCO listing for 37 Japanese folk performance arts
The Council for Cultural Affairs decided Wednesday to recommend that 37 folk performance arts be added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The 37 traditional performing arts, including Bon odori dancing, that have been passed down for posterity in various parts in the country ...
