About
The first two World Natural Heritage sites in Japan were registered in 1993. They were the remote “Yakushima” island in Kagoshima Prefecture and “Shirakami Sanchi,” a vast, primal beech forest that spans Aomori and Akita Prefectures. The Shiretoko peninsula, which protrudes into the Sea of Okhotsk in the northeastern part of Hokkaido, was registered in 2005, and the Ogasawara Islands, oceanic islands about 1,000 km away from central Tokyo, were registered in 2011. Most recently, the area consisting of Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island were registered in 2021, for a total of five World Natural Heritage sites in Japan. Japan’s natural heritage is a place where all of its rich and unique ecosystems are valued and you can feel the circle of life, including rare plants and animals.
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Enjoy the mysterious scenery of Lake Rausu while getting in contact with the flora and fauna of the Shiretoko Peninsula
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Experience the “Beautiful Waters” of Shirakami-Sanchi. Highlights from the Sawa Walking Tour
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Paddle a canoe to Yanbaru Forest Tour secluded Okinawa for summer fun
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Enjoy the mysterious scenery of Lake Rausu while getting in contact with the flora and fauna of the Shiretoko Peninsula
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Releasing Green Sea Turtles on the Ogasawara Islands in Summer under the Twinkling Starry Sky
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Warm ocean currents teeming with life create a distinctive culture and cuisine on Yakushima Island
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Videos introducing the charms of each nature are updated.