Japan advances Hikone Castle nomination for 2028 UNESCO World Heritage list

On Thursday, Japan’s council for cultural affairs chose Hikone Castle, a national treasure, as a candidate for the 2028 UNESCO World Heritage List. The government plans to submit the nomination dossier to UNESCO by Feb. 1, emphasizing the castle’s 17th-century construction by the Ii clan near Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. Officials describe the site as a tangible example of the daimyo governance model, noting its exceptional preservation of both defensive structures and the lord’s residential area from the Edo period (1603-1868).

Although Hikone Castle entered UNESCO’s tentative list in 1992, its bid stalled after Himeji Castle was inscribed the following year, prompting a revised submission in May with added justification of its distinct value. The World Heritage Committee will review the nomination and could grant inscription during its summer 2028 session. The castle survived the Meiji Restoration, reportedly spared by Emperor Meiji after his 1878 visit.