Photo/Illutration The archaeological site of the Fujiwara Palace in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture (Kenji Shimizu)

Japan hopes to add a group of archaeological sites from its ancient capital in Nara Prefecture to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2026.

The Council for Cultural Affairs decided on Sept. 9 to nominate 22 Asuka-Fujiwara archaeological sites for inclusion on the UNESCO list, including tombs and ruins of palaces and temples dating to the Asuka Period (592-710).

Among the most renowned sites are the ruins of the Asuka Palace and the Fujiwara Palace, which served as the political centers and imperial residences during that era.

Also included in the nomination is the Takamatsuzuka burial mound, celebrated for its vibrant mural depicting the “Asuka Beauties,” and the Kitora Tomb, famed for its murals of the four divine creatures.

Another prominent site is the Ishibutai Tomb, a massive stone-chambered tomb.

These sites are dispersed across the municipalities of Asuka, Kashihara and Sakurai, renowned for their serene, picturesque countryside that is often referred to as the “original landscape of Japan.”

The government will submit a provisional recommendation letter to the global cultural body by the end of the month, followed by a formal letter by the end of January after Cabinet approval.

The council has praised the nominated sites as unique and invaluable assets that show the birth and development of a centralized political system during the period when similar states emerged across the wider East Asia region.

The council emphasized that these sites represent a cultural heritage that was born in Japan, influenced by exchanges with China and the Korean Peninsula, and had a profound impact on subsequent generations.

If the bid is successful, the Asuka-Fujiwara sites will become Japan’s 27th UNESCO World Heritage site, following the addition of the Sado Island gold mine this year.

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