Hikone Castle Selected for UNESCO World Heritage Nomination
Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture has been formally selected as Japan's candidate for nomination as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, advancing a campaign that has continued for more than 30 years and aims to secure inscription in the summer of 2028. (News On Japan)
Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture has been chosen as Japan's candidate for UNESCO World Heritage nomination. This comes after more than 30 years of campaigning and aims for inscription in summer 2028. The castle, built in the early Edo period, features a surviving main keep designated as a National Treasure and exemplifies the feudal government system.
First placed on UNESCO's Tentative List in 1992, Shiga Prefecture and Hikone City have promoted its historical significance for decades. While ICOMOS identified some concerns, Shiga Prefecture and Hikone City submitted a fifth draft nomination in May 2026. Hikone residents expressed joy at the decision, hoping for more tourists. If successful, Hikone Castle would be Japan's 28th World Heritage site.
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