Nara's Ancient Capitals Seek Final Push for World Heritage Status

Jun 17, 2026 | News On Japan

NARA - Nara Prefecture has conducted a promotional tour for ambassadors and diplomats from member states of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee to showcase the Asuka and Fujiwara Palace Sites as the property moves toward formal inscription as a World Cultural Heritage site.

The group of archaeological sites known as the Asuka and Fujiwara Palaces has been recommended for inscription by UNESCO advisory body the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), making it likely to be added to the World Heritage list.

As part of efforts to secure formal registration, Nara Prefecture organized a two-day tour on June 16 and 17 for representatives of World Heritage Committee member states, highlighting the appeal of the property's component sites. Delegations from seven countries, including Peru, participated in the program. On June 17, diplomats from countries including Mongolia and Kenya visited the sites for inspections and briefings.

Junyuki Morii, director of Nara Prefecture's World Heritage Office, said the promotion of the Asuka and Fujiwara sites was particularly important at this stage and expressed confidence that the initiative was helping raise international awareness. "Promoting Asuka and Fujiwara is exactly what is needed right now, and I feel encouraged that people from many countries are getting to know them," Morii said.

The final decision on World Heritage inscription will be made at UNESCO's World Heritage Committee meeting, scheduled to be held in Busan, South Korea, in July.

Source: YOMIURI

Osaka’s Minami Rebuilt Into Tourist Hub

Osaka’s Minami district, now entering another period of major change with the planned opening of the Naniwasuji Line, the redevelopment of Midosuji and improvements around Nankai Namba Station, has transformed from an area once described as "scary" and "dirty" into one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations.

Crowds Join First Pull of 10-Ton Gion Festival Float

A 10-ton hoko float was pulled through central Kyoto on July 12 in a trial run ahead of the Yamahoko Junko procession during the Gion Festival's early parade.

Young Doctors Flock to Cosmetic Medicine

A growing number of young doctors in Japan are moving directly into cosmetic medicine after obtaining a medical license and completing their initial clinical training, raising concern that the trend may be worsening staff shortages in insurance-covered medical care.

Typhoon No. 9 Travel Disruptions Continue on Some Okinawa Routes

Transport disruption from Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) continued on July 12, with airlines warning that some flights serving Okinawa’s outlying islands could still face delays, cancellations or conditional operations even after the storm moved away from the prefecture.

JAXA Successfully Lands Reusable Rocket Test Vehicle

JAXA successfully landed a small experimental vehicle for a reusable rocket on July 11, marking a step toward technology that could increase the frequency of space launches while helping reduce costs.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Nature Reclaims Aging Hokkaido Arch Bridge

An abandoned concrete arch bridge deep in the forests of Kamishihoro in Hokkaido's Tokachi region is slowly being reclaimed by nature, its exposed reinforcing bars and weeds marking the passage of time.

Typhoon No. 9 to Merge With Rainy Season Front

Large Typhoon No. 9 (Bavi) was over central China at 9 p.m. on July 12 and moving north-northwest, with the storm expected to weaken as it continues northwest before turning into an extratropical cyclone that will merge with the rainy season front and bring rain mainly to areas along the Sea of Japan coast.

Bear Sightings Surge With 50 Cases in Iwate in One Week

A wave of bear sightings across Japan has forced the cancellation of traditional summer events, while one animal entered a home and came within inches of a sleeping resident's face.

Nara's Deer Population Runs Wild

Large numbers of deer are appearing in residential neighborhoods around Nara, raising concerns over traffic accidents, crop damage and the spread of ticks and fleas as the animals move farther beyond Nara Park in search of food.

Hokuriku Shinkansen Osaka Extension Narrowed to Obama-Kyoto and Maibara Routes

Plans to extend the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture to Shin-Osaka have been narrowed from eight proposals to two main options, the Obama-Kyoto route and the Maibara route, as concerns grow over construction costs and the potential impact on Kyoto's groundwater and cultural heritage.