Cultural Properties for
Future Generations〜Outline of the Cultural Administration of Japan〜

Agency for Cultural Affairs, JAPANCultural Properties in Japan
Monuments

Types of Cultural Properties in Japan
Our cultural properties have been created, developed, and preserved
throughout Japan’s long history. They have been passed down from one
generation to another, and they are now precious assets of the Japanesepeople.
Cultural properties include (i) structures such as shrines, temples,and private houses, (ii) Buddhist statues, (iii) paintings, (iv)calligraphy, (v) other skills called waza such as performing arts andcraft techniques, and (vi) traditional events and festivals. Naturallandscapes that remain after many years of history, historic villages,
and townscapes are also regarded as our cultural properties.
Under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, thesecultural properties are categorized as follows:
Tangible Cultural Properties

Tangible cultural properties consist of (a) those of high historicalor artistic value such as structures, paintings, sculptures, crafts,
calligraphic works, classical books, and ancient documents, and (b)those of high scientific value such as archeological artifacts and otherhistorical materials. Tangible cultural properties other than structures
are collectively called “fine arts and crafts.”
Intangible Cultural Properties

Intangible cultural properties are defined as those that have highhistorical or artistic value such as drama, music, and craft techniques.
They are embodied by individuals or groups who have mastered waza.
Folk Cultural Properties

Folk cultural properties are defined as items indispensable forunderstanding the transition in people’s daily lives, such as (i)manners and customs relating (a) to food, clothing, and housing, (b)to occupation, (c) to religious faith, and (d) to annual events, (ii) folk
performing arts, (iii) folk skills, and (iv) clothes, implements, andhouses used in connection with the foregoing.

Monuments include shell mounds, tumuli, sites of fortified capitals,
sites of forts or castles, and monumental houses, which are of highhistorical or scientific value. They also include gardens, bridges,
gorges, seashores, mountains, and other places of scenic beauty which
are of high artistic or scenic value. Moreover they include animals,
plants, and geological and mineral formations which are of highscientific value.
Cultural Landscapes

Cultural landscapes are defined as those that have evolved withthe modes of life or livelihoods of people in Japan and with thegeo-cultural features of the region. They are indispensable to theunderstanding of the lifestyles and/or livelihoods of the people ofJapan.
Groups of Traditional BuildingsGroups of traditional buildings are defined as those that have highvalue and form historic scenery together with their surroundings.
Out of these cultural properties, the government designates, selects,
and registers important items in respective categories as Important
Cultural Properties, Important Intangible Cultural Properties, Important
Tangible / Intangible Folk Cultural Properties, Historic Sites, Placesof Scenic Beauty, and Natural Monuments. It gives high priority to theprotection of them.
Additionally, we designate particularly valuable important culturalproperties as national treasures, and particularly important historicsites, places of scenic beauty, and natural monuments as special historicsites, special places of scenic beauty, and special natural monuments.
Also protected are (a) underground cultural properties (Buried
Cultural Properties) and (b) traditional skills and techniques that arenecessary for the restoration and preservation of cultural properties(Conservation Techniques for Cultural Properties).

Number of Designated Cultural PropertiesDesignation

s
t
f
a
r
C
d
n
a
s
t
r
A
e
n
i
F

National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties

Paintings
Sculptures
CraftsCalligraphies, Books
Documents
Archeological artifacts
Historical materials
Subtotal
Structures

National Treasures

Important Cultural Properties

162 items
138 items
253 items
228 items
62 items
47 items
3 items
893 items

2,031 items
2,715 items
2,469 items
1,916 items
774 items
647 items
220 items
10,772 items(289 buildings)(5,033 buildings)

226 items

1,119 items

Total

2,497 items

13,269 items

Note: The figures for Important Cultural Properties include National Treasures
Designation

Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty, and Natural Monuments

Special Historic Sites
Special Places of Scenic BeautySpecial Natural Monuments
Total

62 items
36 items
75 items

173 (163) items

Historic Sites
1,823 items
Places of Scenic Beauty 415 items
Natural Monuments
1,030 items
Total

3,268 (3,154) items

Designation(as of August 1, 2019)

Important Intangible Cultural Properties

Individual Recognition

Group Recognition

No. ofdesignations

No. of holders

No. ofdesignations

No. of holding
groupsPerforming Arts
Craft Techniques

36 items
39 items

51 persons (51)59 persons (58)

14 items
16 items

14 groups
16 groups

Total

75 items

110 persons (109)

30 items

30 groups

Note: Some holders receive multiple recognitions; the number in brackets indicatesthe actual number of individuals
Designation Important Tangible
Folk Cultural Properties

Designation Important Intangible
Folk Cultural Properties

221 items

312 items

Selection

Important Cultural Landscapes

Selection

Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings

64 items
118 items
Selection

Selected Conservation Techniques

Holders
Preservation Groups
46 items 55 holders 37 items 39 groups (34 groups)

Note: The figures for Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty, and Natural
Monuments include Special Historic Sites, Special Places of Scenic Beauty,
and Special Natural Monuments. Historic sites, places of scenic beauty, andnatural monuments may be repeatingly appointed, the contents within ( )are actually appointed.

Note: Some preservation groups receive multiple recognitions; the number inbrackets indicates the actual number of groups

Registration

Registration

Registered Monuments

Registered Tangible Cultural Properties(Structures)

12,121 items

110 items
SelectionI ntangible Cultural Properties that needmeasures such as documentation

Registration

Registered Tangible Cultural Properties(Works of Fine Arts and Crafts)

16 items

91 items
Selection

RegistrationI ntangible Folk Cultural Properties thatneed measures such as documentation

643 items

2

Registered Tangible Folk
Cultural Properties

44 items

Schematic Diagram of Cultural Properties
Designation

Tangible Cultural
Properties

Registration

Structures

Important items
Important Cultural Properties

Designation

Items ofespecially high value
National Treasures

Registered Tangible
Cultural Properties
Items especially in need of preservation and utilization

Fine arts and crafts
Paintings, Sculptures, Crafts, Calligraphies, Books, Documents, Archeological artifacts, Historical materials
Designation

Intangible Cultural Properties

Important items
Important Intangible Cultural Properties

Drama, Music, Craft techniques, etc

Intangible Cultural Properties that needmeasures such as documentation

Selection

Items especially in need of preservation and utilization
Designation

Folk Cultural Properties

Especially important
Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties

Tangible Folk Cultural Properties
Clothes, tools and implements, houses, and otherobjects used in connection with intangible folk
cultural property

Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties

Intangible Folk Cultural Properties
Manners and customs, folk performing arts, andfolk techniques that are related to food, clothing,and housing, to occupations, religious faith, andannual events, etc

Cultural
Properties

Registration

Registered Tangible Folk Cultural Properties
Items especially in need of preservation and utilization
Intangible Folk Cultural Properties that needmeasures such as documentation

Selection

Monuments

Designation

Items especially in need
Important items
Historic Sites

Historical sites
Shell mounds, Ancient tombs,
Sites of palaces, Sites of forts or
castles, Monumental dwellinghousesPlaces of Scenic Beauty

Places of Scenic Beauty
Gardens, Bridges, Gorges,
Seashores, Mountains

Natural Monuments

Animals, Plants, Geologicaland mineral formations
Registration

CulturalLandscapes

Designation

Especially important
Special Historic Sites

Designation

Special Places of
Scenic Beauty

Designation

Special Natural
Monuments

Registered Monuments
Items especially in need of preservation and utilization

Selected through applicationby prefectural
or municipal governments

Especially important
Important Cultural Landscapes

Landscapes that have evolved in association with the modes of life or livelihoods of the people and thegeo-cultural features of the region.
Terraced rice fields, Mountain villages, Waterways

Protection ofCultural Properties
Logo
This logo invokes theimage of an structure,
called a tokyo, which isan important element ofJapanese architecture.
The three stacked
elements symbolize thespirit of protection which
eternally preserves ourheritage of culturalproperties from the past,in the present, and for the
future.
Note: A tokyo is a kind of
a wooden joint which isusually placed on top ofeach pillar to support thelong eaves of temples.

Groups of
Traditional Buildings

Decided bymunicipalities

Items ofespecially high value

Preservation Districts
for Groups of
Traditional Buildings

Selection

Important Preservation
Districts for Groups of
Traditional Buildings

Post towns, Castle towns, Farming or Fishing villages

Buried Cultural Properties
Cultural Properties buried in the ground
Selection

Conservation Techniques
for Cultural Properties
Techniques necessary for the restorationand preservation of Cultural Properties

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Items in need of preservation measures
Selected Conservation TechniquesHistory of the Law for the Protectionof Cultural Properties
The protection system has beenrevised wherever necessary.
The destruction by fire of the mural paintings in the kondo main
hall of Horyuji Temple in 1949 gave impetus to the enactment of
the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, which is Japan’s
first comprehensive legal framework for the protection of culturalproperties. The new law combined “the National Treasures

Preservation Law,” “the Law regarding the Preservation ofImportant Works of Fine Art,” and “the Historic Sites, Places of
Scenic Beauty, and Natural Monuments Preservation Law” of thattime, expanding and reinforcing the existing system for protection.
As the society developed, further amendments have been madesince then. In the current social context, the Law is becoming more
and more important year after year.

1871 Decree for the Preservation of Ancient Artifacts
1897 Ancient Temples and Shrines Preservation Law
1919 Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty, and Natural Monuments Preservation Law
1929 National Treasures Preservation Law
1933 Law Regarding the Preservation of Important Works of Fine Arts

1950
Committee for the Protection ofCultural Properties established

Enactment of the Law for
the Protection of Cultural Properties
Amendment of a designation system(division into two-grade categories of National
Treasures and Important Cultural Properties)

Important Cultural Properties that are especially important are designated as
National Treasures; Historic Sites, Places of Scenic Beauty, and Natural
Monuments that are especially important are designated as Special Historic Sites,
Special Places of Scenic Beauty, and Special Natural Monuments.

Establishment of a system for protectionof Intangible Cultural Properties andBuried Cultural Properties

Addition of intangible cultural products and buried cultural properties as objects
to be protected

1954 Amendments
Expansion of a system for
Intangible Cultural Properties

Establishment of a system for designation of Important Intangible Cultural
Properties, and for documentation of selected intangible cultural properties

Expansion of a system for
Buried Cultural Properties

Established as a separate category from Tangible Cultural Properties; a system ofadvance notice implemented for excavation in land known to contain culturalproperties
Establishment of a designation system for Important Tangible Folk Materials
separate from Tangible Cultural Properties; establishment of a system for
documentation of selected intangible folk materials

Expansion of a system for Folk Materials

1968 Amendments

Agency for Cultural Aﬀairs establishedCouncil for the Protection ofCultural Properties established1975 Amendments
Development of a system for
Buried Cultural Properties

Establishment of system of exemptions for excavation of ruins by the national
government and development of system for the protection of ruins discovered in thecourse of construction
Folk materials renamed Folk Cultural Properties; establishment of a system fordesignation of Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties and Important Intangible
Folk Cultural Properties

Expansion of a system for
Folk Cultural Properties
Establishment of a system of Preservation Districts
for Groups of Traditional Buildings
Establishment of a system for protection ofConservation Techniques for Cultural Properties4

1996 Amendments
Establishment of a system ofRegistered Cultural Properties

Establishment of a registration system for the preservation of structures other thanthose designated by the national or local governments

Transfer of authority to prefecturesand designated cities

1999 Amendments

Reform to Council for Cultural Aﬀairs

2004 Amendments
Establishment of a system for protectionof Cultural Landscapes

Establishment of a selection system for Important Cultural Landscapes

Expansion of a system of Folk Cultural Properties

Addition of folk techniques

Expansion of system of a
Registered Cultural Properties

Expansion of registration system to include Tangible Cultural Properties other thanstructures, Tangible Folk Cultural Properties, and Monuments

2018 Amendments
Establishment of a planning system for
cultural property protection and utilization

Establishment of a certification system for prefectural principles and municipal
regional plans relating to the protection and utilization of cultural properties
Establishment of a certification system for protection and utilization plans
Establishment of a designation system for Cultural Property Protection and Utilization
Support Organizations
Easing of appointment requirements of the custodian system

Development of structure for participation ofdiverse inheritors

Enabling of transfer of cultural property protection
administration to departments of local government heads

System and measures for the protectionof cultural properties in Japan

Cultural properties are designated, selected, or
registered after the Minister of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology has consulted theCouncil for Cultural Affairs and received its report.

“Cultural Properties”arethus preserved and utilized.
Cultural properties thus categorized under the Law for
the Protection of Cultural Properties are protected in a way
most appropriate to them.
The process leading to designation,
registration, or selection of cultural properties:
Investigation
Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology
Consultation
Council for Cultural Aﬀairs(Subdivision on
Cultural Properties)
ReportPreservation
Guidance and subsidies concerning repair andmaintenance to owners and municipalities
Subsidies for municipalities to purchase landor structures which are cultural properties
Regulations on alterations to current state,
restrictions on export
Establishment of tax exemptions
Preparation of required documents and their
publicity
Environmental preservation

Request forinvestigation

Report ofInvestigation

Designation / Selection /Registration
Certiﬁcate issued

Announcement in the Oﬃcial
Gazette Notiﬁcation to owner

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National Treasure:
Nyorai-do hall and Miei-do hall,
Senjuji Temple(Tsu City, Mie Pref.)(Photo: Courtesy of Senjuji Temple)

Utilization

Investigative
Committeeof Specialists

Subsidies, recommendations, orders, anddirectives to owners or municipalities
regarding the public display of culturalproperties
Establishment and operation of museums,
theaters, and other public facilities, andcenters for cultural properties research

Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology
Designation / Selection /Registration

Designationand other

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National Treasure:Standing Thousand-Armed Kannon,
wood(enshrined in main hall of Rengeoin Temple)(Myohoin Temple)

5

Nirayama Reverberatory Furnaces(Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Pref.)Examples of Preservation andImportant Cultural Property (Structures)

Former Residence of the Maeda Family(Western Building)
Ideally, cultural property structures are utilized actively, not only as architectural objects of viewing,
but also as sites for tourism and community activities. In order to promote the use of such structures
while harnessing their value as cultural property, there is a growing movement to establish a protection
and utilization plan, develop an approach for public utilization, and carry out maintenance accordingly.
The Former Residence of the Maeda Family is located in Komaba Park in Meguro City, Tokyo
Metropolis. The residence consists of Western and Japanese buildings built by Marquis Maeda toserve as his Tokyo home. Marquis Maeda was the sixteenth head of the Maeda family of the former
Kaga domain. In 2013, the building was recognized for its value in showcasing the life of dignitaries
in the early Showa period (1926 – 1989) and was designated an Important Cultural Property.
The Western building with a British-style, stately design housed the Museum of Modern
Literature, Tokyo until 2002. While it remained open to the public after the museum’s closing,a protection and utilization plan was established in 2015 in order to make more active use of thebuilding, and maintenance work was conducted for its public utilization. Construction work was
carried out in parallel with the construction work for preservation, repair, and seismic strengthening
since 2016, and was completed in October 2018. The enhanced exhibits and a restored interior
allow visitors to immerse themselves in the history of the Maeda family. The building now also has
meeting rooms and a pantry so that it can be utilized as an event venue. Through a variety of events,
it is expected that people will become more acquainted with and further utilize the structure.

Former Residence of the Maeda Family(Western Building)(Photo: Courtesy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government)

Historic Site and Natural Monument

YashimaMonuments such as historic sites are maintained and utilized through various methods so thatpeople can have a deeper understanding of their history, culture, and nature on site, while retaining
their value as cultural property.
Yashima is a vertically long peninsular lava plateau situated northeast of the center of Takamatsu
City, Kagawa Prefecture. The name “Yashima,” meaning “roof island,” is derived from its shaperesembling a roof. Yashima Castle is one of the ancient mountain castles mentioned in Nihon Shoki.
The lava plateau is made of an andesite rock known as sanukite that has survived erosion. Based on
its value as a vestige of igneous activity linked to the formation of the Sea of Japan, Yashima wasdesignated a national Historic Site and Natural Monument in 1934.
The castle gate relics and castle walls remain in good condition. Maintenance work is conducted topreserve and utilize the relics of the castle wall area, a site iconic of the castle ruins. Based on studies, thecastle gate and castle walls were repaired and reconstructed using ancient restoration methods while also
conducting some reinforcement work. The castle gate which could not be restored on site was created bycomputer graphics. Maintenance work incorporated AR and VR technologies, with the aim of enabling
visitors to have an authentic experience of the ancient landscape. It is thought that such maintenancework will serve as a new precedent for maintenance of many other historic sites and monuments. The
castle is part of community building efforts and is expected to undergo further advances.

Stone-stacking work

Restored stacks of stones andcomputer-generated gate

Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property

Kishimi Stone BathKishimi Stone Bath, located in Kishimi, Tokuji, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is said tohave been built by the Buddhist priest Chogen Shonin during the Kamakura period (1185 – 1333).
Stones are heated by burning firewood inside a chamber made of stacked stones. After removing theashes, wet straw mats are laid to make a heated air bath. In early July every year, the stone bath isprepared on the anniversary of the death of Chogen Shonin, known as “Ishiburo Kaisanki.” Prior tobathing, bathers pray to a statue of Chogen Shonin enshrined in the resting room, according to custom.
The facility currently belongs to Yamaguchi City and is maintained and managed by the local
Kishimi Stone Bath Preservation Society. In the past, the Society prepared the bath at irregularintervals upon receiving advance reservations. However, it was decided that the bath would be
prepared at regular intervals with the belief that this will contribute to the bath’s maintenanceand management. The Society has been commissioned to prepare the bath once a month since
September 2018. The bathing sessions are publicized on websites and other means.
During the ongoing trial phase, between ten to twenty people have participated each time, withmore people gradually participating from other communities, including areas outside of Yamaguchi
Prefecture. It is hoped that the bathing sessions will continue to attract people and evolve further.
Going forward, efforts will be made to utilize the stone bath safely and sustainably while collecting thenecessary maintenance data, and contribute to raising awareness about protection of cultural property.

6

Important Tangible Folk Cultural
Property Kishimi Stone Bath

Utilization of Cultural Properties
Important Cultural Property (Fine Arts and Crafts)

Purchased Cultural Properties Exhibition/
New Designation Exhibition
In order to provide substantial opportunities for the appreciation of Important Cultural
Properties, the Agency for Cultural Affairs makes items available for a range of exhibitions.
Every year, at museums in various areas, the Agency for Cultural Affairs holds an exhibition of“New Treasures of the Nation” to showcase recently purchased fine arts and crafts. In fiscal year
2018, this exhibition took place at the Tokushima Castle Museum.
In addition, an exhibition of “Newly Designated National Treasures and Important Cultural
Properties” showcasing newly designated art works is held every year at the Tokyo National
Museum.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs intends to actively continue to plan and promote
exhibitions of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties inside and outside
Japan.

Purchased Cultural Properties Exhibition“New Treasures of the Nation”

Gallery talk at Purchased Cultural
Properties Exhibition“New Treasuresof the Nation”(Venue: Tokushima Castle Museum)

Important Intangible Cultural Property (Performing Arts)

Special Appreciation of Kumiodori
The Agency for Cultural Affairs subsidizes successor training projects which areconducted by performers’ groups of traditional performing arts such as Nohgaku, Ningyo
Joruri Bunraku, and Kabuki, which are designated as Important Intangible Cultural
Properties. Since it is the appreciation of the audience that can ensure the transmission ofsuch performing arts to the future, the Agency for Cultural Affairs also supports a performanceproject which aims to provide the public with more opportunities to enjoy them and to feel theattractiveness of them.
Kumiodori, an Important Intangible Cultural Property, is a singing and dancing drama
which has been transmitted in Okinawa Prefecture. Even though it is the compilation ofsophisticated music, dances, and arts and crafts techniques of the Ryukyu Kingdom period
and it is a traditional performing art that has value for its importance in art and in the historyof performing arts, it had not been known outside Okinawa. Thus, since fiscal year 1995, theTraditional Kumiodori Preservation Society and the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education
have provided special opportunities to appreciate Kumiodori for six areas outside
Okinawa every year. They are good opportunities for people to appreciate Kumiodori withelaborated commentaries.

(Photo: Courtesy of Traditional Kumiodori
Preservation Society)

Important Intangible Cultural Property (Craft Techniques)

The Japanese Artistry and Beauty Exhibition
The Agency for Cultural Affairs holds an exhibition, which is entitled “The Japanese Artistry
and Beauty Exhibition: Important Intangible Cultural Properties and the people who sustainthem” every year with a view to showing the public waza of important intangible culturalproperties and to introduce skills that sustain them.
The aim of this exhibition is to increase people’s understanding of the protection of culturalproperties through a broad-ranging display of ceramics, textiles, lacquer works and othertraditional craft techniques that have been designated as Important Intangible Cultural Properties,
along with tools and materials for production that are indispensable for the embodiment of thesecraft techniques, which have been specially selected as Conservation Techniques for Cultural
Properties.
Representative works by holders of waza of Important Intangible Cultural Properties (known as
Living National Treasures) and holding groups of such properties, along with related materials
and other items, are displayed mainly from among the Agency’s collection. Documentary films
are also shown, planned and produced by the Agency, illustrating craft techniques.
(Venue: Fukushima Museum)7

Communicating information about Cultural Properties
Cultural Heritage Online“Cultural Heritage Online” is a portal site that enables people to search for andbrowse information on cultural heritages in Japan, regardless of their official
designation. The site is operated in collaboration with a number of galleries,
museums, municipal governments, and other groups. This site aims to create awhole list of cultural heritage in Japan, which contains various cultural properties,
be it designated or undesignated, tangible or intangible, with the cooperation of
museums and local governments for the collection of such information.
The site consists of a Gallery, which shows users photos of cultural heritages,
and a Cultural Heritage Database, which enables users to search for information
about all kinds of cultural heritages. Gallery users can browse cultural assets by age
and field, as well as those related to specific cultural heritages using associative
retrieval, as well as search and identify those using maps. The Cultural Heritage
Database allows users to perform full-text searches, including searches by theinstitution storing the cultural heritage or searches by description.
Furthermore, it has thematic contents, such as information of museums andgalleries, notifications, and event information, in addition to “World Heritage andIntangible Cultural Heritage” and “Intangible cultural properties seen on video.”

Cultural Heritage Online (image of website)
http://bunka.nii.ac.jp/

Activities for Promoting and Raising
Awareness for the Protection ofCultural Properties
Cultural Properties Protection Week
(November 1 to 7 every year)
Every year, the week from November 1st to 7th is the Cultural Properties
Protection Week. During this week, various events are held across the country witha view to giving the nation’s people opportunities to become familiar with them,such as a special opening of historic structures and displaying of fine arts and crafts,
walking around cultural properties, performance of traditional performing arts inthe public, with the cooperation of owners, local governments and municipal boardsof education.
In 2010, commemorating the 60th anniversary of enforcement of the Law, theAgency selected a logo out of the public proposals so that the people can become
more familiar with the Cultural Properties Protection Week.

Logo for the Cultural Properties
Protection WeekLet’s make a fire!

(Nishitokyo City, Tokyo Metropolis)(Photo: Courtesy of Nishitokyo City Board of Education)

Fire Prevention Day for Cultural Properties(Every January 26th)
Since January 26 is when the mural paintings at the kondo main
hall of Horyuji Temple were destroyed by fire (in 1949), the “FireP r eve n t i o n D a y f o r C u l t u r a l P r o p e r t i e s” wa s s e t o n t h i s d a t e . T h e
Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, prefecturaland municipal boards of education, fire departments, owners of cultural properties,
and local residents cooperate to organize an annual fire prevention campaign for
cultural properties throughout the country centered on this date with a view toprotecting them from fire, earthquakes, and other kinds of disasters.
The sixty-fourth Fire Prevention Day for Cultural Properties on January 26,
2018 at Jodoji Temple in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture was attended by
the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs and the Vice-Commissioner of the Fire andDisaster Management Agency. A large-scale drill was carried out, with participationof the Onomichi firefighting association, the Onomichi City Fire Brigade, and the
Jodoji Temple Self-Defense Fire Brigade.

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Sixty-fourth Fire Prevention Day for
Cultural Properties, Fire Prevention Drill(Jodoji Temple)

Efforts for the Protection ofCultural Properties by Local Authorities
Enactment of Ordinances for
the Protection of Cultural Properties

Preservation and Utilization ofBuried Cultural Properties

As with the national government,
local gover nments also enact
ordinances for the protection ofcultural properties under the Law
for the Protection of Cultural
Properties and designate local
cultural properties. Such local
governments preserve and utilize
their cultural properties, subsidizing
expenses necessary for management,
repair, and exhibition of them.
In addition, prefectural boards ofeducation have committees for theguidance of cultural properties
protection, that inspect culturalproperties and provide owners with
instructions and advice on theprotection of cultural properties.

Many buried cultural properties that can tell us the irreplaceable
local history remain in every region of Japan. Approximately 6,000
experts are employed by local governments and municipalities forthe preservation arrangement, the implementation of excavation
surveys, and the preservation and utilization of sites in connection
with development projects.
Each local governmentis engaged in building acommunity and training
human resources throughthe utilization of buried
cultural properties, such as
improvement of preservedsites, display of earthenware
vessels discovered during Utilization event at historic site
excavation, and dissemination Gossakaito Archaeological Site(forging workshop)of findings of its history and (Photo: Courtesy of Awaji City Board of
Education)
culture.

Stationing place No.1 of
Gonohe Town Fire Company
Important Cultural Property
by Aomori Prefecture(Photo: Courtesy of Aomori Prefectural
Board of Education)

Preservation and Utilization of Preservation
Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings

Comprehensive Preservation and Utilizationof Cultural Properties and Town Planning

The system of Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional
Buildings was established in 1975 in order to maintain the historicand cultural character of local towns and villages. In this system,
municipalities designate Preservation Districts and develop
preservation plans.
The national government classifies Important Preservation
Districts from among thoseP r e s e r va t i o n D i s t r i c t s .
Wi t h i n t h e I m p o r t a n t
P r e s e r va t i o n D i s t r i c t s ,municipalities promote
their own plans to maintainhistoric towns and villages,
while the national andprefectural governments givefinancial assistance and Preservation District fort e c h n i c a l i n s t r u c t i o n t o Groups of Traditional
Buildings: Hamashozumachip r e s e r v a t i o n p r o j e c t s Hamakanayamachi, Kashima City
(Photo: Courtesy of Kashima City, Saga Pref.;executed by municipalities.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs supports the establishment of
the “Regional Plan for the Protection and Utilization of Cultural
Properties,” an action plan for the preservation and utilization ofregional cultural properties, as well as tourism planning centeredaround cultural properties under the Plan’s concept. The Agency
works with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
to certify “Plans for
the Maintenanceand Improvement ofHistoric Landscapes.”
Regions whose plansw e r e c e r t i fi e d a r eeligible to receive
i n t e n s ive s u p p o r t s
f o r t ow n p l a n n i n gthat takes advantageof their historic
Basic Scheme for Historic and Culturallandscapes.
Properties fieldwork in Asago City

Preservation and Utilization ofCultural LandscapeComprehensive Project for Promoting
the Use of Cultural Properties

A local government or municipality investigates the area andformulates a preservation plan with a view to preserving its culturallandscape, which has been formed by the livelihoods of people in a
local community and the local geo-cultural features.
When selected as an Important Cultural Landscape by the national
government, the national government offers technical andfinancial supports for
an improvement project
conducted by the local
government while the local
government is engaged inprojects to preserve thelandscape in which people
live and work and tot ransmit it to t he next
generation.
Rural landscape around Lake Ibanai

Japan has rich and diverse cultural heritage in each local region,
which collectively constitutes its nationwide takara treasure. In
recent years, people have begun to recognize the role of cultural
heritage in contributing to the revitalization of communities, as well
as appropriately preserving heritage and passing them along to thenext generation. Based on plans formulated by local governments, theComprehensive Project for Promoting the Use of Cultural Properties
aims to support comprehensive
efforts utilizing local cultural
heritage, such as (i) holding oftraditional events andperforming arts for the public,(ii) training of successors, and(iii) activities to familiarize
people with classical arts andperformances. These projects
Dance performed
foster cultural promotion and Kaidenma
at the Nobeoka City Local
revitalize local communities.
Performing Arts Festival

Photo by Tamura Osamu)(Photo: Courtesy of Higashiomi City Board of
Education)(Photo: Courtesy of Nobeoka City Board of
Education)

9

From Japan ’s Properties toWorld Heritage
Protection of the precious heritage of humanity for future generations
In 1972 UNESCO adopted the World Heritage Convention at its General Conference in Paris. The purpose of the convention is to encourageinternational cooperation and support with a view to protect all humanity cultural and natural heritages, which have outstanding universal
value, from damage, destruction and other threats.
Today, 1121 properties are inscribed on the World Heritage List in total, including 19 cultural and 4
natural properties of Japan (as of August 2019).
Name Recorded

Location

Year Recorded Classification

1 Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area

Nara

1993

Culture2 Himeji-jo

Hyogo

1993

Culture3 Yakushima

Kagoshima

1993

Nature4 Shirakami-Sanchi
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
5(Kyoto, Uji and Otsu cities)
Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and
6
Gokayama
7 Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)

Aomori, Akita

1993

NatureKyoto, Shiga

1994

CultureGifu, Toyama

1995

CultureHiroshima

1996

Culture8 Itsukushima Shinto Shrine

Hiroshima

1996

Culture9 Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

Nara

1998

Culture1999

Culture2000

Culture2004

Culture10 Shrines and Temples of Nikko
Tochigi
Gusuku Sites and Related Properties
11
Okinawaof the Kingdom of Ryukyu
Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in
12Mie, Nara, Wakayama
the Kii Mountain Range
13 Shiretoko
Hokkaido
The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural
14
ShimaneLandscape15 Ogasawara Islands
Tokyo
Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and
16 Archaeological Sites Representing
Iwate
the Buddhist Pure Land
Fujisan, Sacred place and Source of17
Yamanashi, Shizuoka
Artistic Inspiration
18 Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites
Gunma
Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki,
Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution:
19
Kumamoto, Kagoshima,
Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining
Yamaguchi, Iwate, Shizuoka
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier,Tokyo (The National Museum
20 an Outstanding Contribution to the Modernof Western Art, and six other
Movement
countries)
The Sacred Island of Okinoshima and21
Fukuoka
Associated Sites in the Munakata Region
22 Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region Nagasaki, Kumamoto
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs
23
Osakaof Ancient Japan

19

2005

Nature2007

Culture2011

Nature2011

Culture2013

Culture2014

Culture2015

Culture2016

Culture2017

Culture2018

Culture2019

Culture

14

2

8 7

13

4

19

N

16

10
6

18
20
17

19

5

23 9
1
12

15

19
21
19 19
22

19

22

19
19
11
3

10

World Cultural Heritage
Fujisan, Sacred place and Source ofArtistic Inspiration
Photo: Courtesy of Fuji City

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji
Area
Photo: Courtesy of Horyuji Temple

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
Photo: Courtesy of Nara Prefectural Board of
Education

Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites
Photo: Courtesy of Gunma Prefecture

Himeji-jo
Photo: Courtesy of Himeji City

Shrines and Temples of Nikko
Photo: Courtesy of Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution:
Iron and Steel, Shipbuilding and Coal Mining
Photo: Courtesy of The World Heritage Council forthe sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto(Kyoto, Uji and Otsu cities)
Photo: Courtesy of Motorikyu-Nijojo Office, Kyoto
City Hall

Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of
the Kingdom of Ryukyu
Photo: Courtesy of Okinawa Prefectural Board of
Education

The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier,an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern
Movement
Photo: Courtesy of The National Museum of Western Art

Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and
Gokayama
Photo: Courtesy of Shirakawa Village Board of
Education

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in
the Kii Mountain Range
Photo: Courtesy of Wakayama Prefectural Boardof Education

The Sacred Island of Okinoshima andAssociated Sites in the Munakata Region
Photo: Courtesy of The World Heritage Promotion Committee of the Sacred
Island of Okinoshima and associated sites in the Munakata Region

Hiroshima Peace Memorial(Genbaku Dome)The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its
Cultural LandscapePhoto: Courtesy of Shimane Prefectural Board of
Education

Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki
RegionPhoto by Higurashi Yuichi; Photo: Courtesy ofNagasaki Prefecture

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
Photo: Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefectural Boardof Education

Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens andArchaeological Sites Representing theBuddhist Pure Land
Photo: Courtesy of Kawashima Printing Co. Ltd.

Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded
Tombs of Ancient Japan
Photo: Courtesy of Sakai City

11

Intangible Cultural Heritage
The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage wasadopted at the UNESCO General Conference in October 2003, and came into

Japan’
s Intangible Cultural Heritages
Inscribed on the Representative List (21 items)
Nameforce in April 2006. Japan became the third state party to the Convention inYear Inscribed

Nohgaku theatre

2008

Ningyo Johruri Bunraku puppet theatre

2008

safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in their territories, for example by

Kabuki theatre

2008

identifying elements of intangible cultural heritage within their territory

Gagaku2009

and making inventories of them. It also stipulates international safeguarding

Ojiya-chijimi, Echigo-jofu

2009measures, including the establishment of the Representative List of the

Oku-noto no Aenokoto (Ishikawa Pref.)2009

Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (Representative List) and the List

Hayachine Kagura (Iwate Pref.)2009

of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding (Urgent

Akiu no Taue Odori (Miyagi Pref.)2009

Safeguarding List) in order to increase awareness of intangible cultural heritage

Chakkirako (Kanagawa Pref.)2009

and promote intercultural dialogue.

Dainichido Bugaku (Akita Pref.)2009

Daimokutate (Nara Pref.)2009

Traditional Ainu dance (Hokkaido Pref.)2009

Kumiodori

2010

Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held

Yuki-Tsumugi

2010

in Port Louis, Mauritius, “Raiho-shin, ritual visits of deities in masks andMibu no Hana Taue (Hiroshima Pref.)2011

costumes”, nominated by Japan, was inscribed on the Representative List.

Sada Shin Noh (Shimane Pref.)2011This was an extended nomination, combining nine Raiho-shin events that are

Nachi no Dengaku (Wakayama Pref.)2012

nationally designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties with

Washoku, traditional dietary cultures of the Japanese

2013

Washi: craftsmanship of traditional Japanese handmade paper

2014

Yama, Hoko, Yatai, Float Festivals in Japan

2016

Raiho-shin, ritual visits of deities in masks andcostumes

2018

June 2004. There are 178 States Parties to the Convention as of August 2019.
This Convention stipulates that the States Parties take measures forToday 429 elements are inscribed on the Representative List in total,
including 21 elements in Japan (as of August 2019).
In November 2018, at the thirteenth session of the Intergovernmental“Koshikijima no Toshidon,” which was inscribed in 2009.
More than a decade since its entry into force, discussions are underway
on reviewing the implementation of the Convention. Japan, which has been
making efforts domestically to safeguard intangible cultural heritage fromearly on, is contributing to such discussions.

Raiho-shin, ritual visits of deities
in masks and costumes*Group of ten Raiho-shin events which are nationally designated Important Intangible
Folk Cultural Properties
Koshikijima no Toshidon (Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Pref.)Oga no Namahage(Oga City, Akita Pref.)Yonekawa no Mizukaburi(Tome City, Miyagi Pref.)Noto no Amamehagi
(Wajima City and Noto Town, Ishikawa Pref.)Miyakojima no Paantou
 (Miyakojima City, Okinawa Pref.)Yuza no Koshogatsu Gyoji(Yuza Town, Yamagata Pref.)Mishima no Kasedori(Saga City, Saga Pref.)Yoshihama no Suneka(Ofunato City, Iwate Pref.)Satsuma-ioujima no Mendon
 (Mishima Village, Kagoshima Pref.)12

Akusekijima no Boze (Toshima Village, Kagoshima Pref.)Promoting International Exchange and Cooperation
International Cooperation
With a view to protecting cultural heritage that is the common
heritage of humanity, Japan works together with other countries
and international organizations, and collaborates on (i) researchexchanges, (ii) conservation and restoration projects, and (iii)
training of experts.

Law on the Promotion of International
Cooperation for the Protection of Cultural
Heritage Abroad“The Law on the Promotion of International Cooperation for theProtection of Cultural Heritage Abroad” was enacted in June 2006.
This law stipulates, for Japan’s international cooperation on cultural
heritage, (i) the duties of the government and research institutions, (ii) the
reinforcement of ties among related bodies, and (iii) the formulation ofbasic guidelines. The law establishes in Japan a system for cooperationand facilitates effective promotion of international cooperation on cultural
heritage through reinforced ties among related organizations.

Institutional Exchange Project Related to Transfer ofArcheology Techniques in Myanmar(Photo: Courtesy of Independent Administrative Institution National Institutes for Cultural
Heritage Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties)

International Cooperation for Cultural
Heritage
In order to provide emergency support for cultural heritage damagedby natural disasters and war, Japan provides support for conservation andrestoration programs by partnering with cultural heritage preservation
organizations overseas. In addition, Japan promotes international
cooperation through capacity building of young experts and thosespecializing in the protection of cultural heritage by implementing
training focusing on those in charge of protecting cultural heritage in
the Asia Pacific region. Furthermore, in 2006 the “Japan Consortiumfor International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage” was launched withdomestic government bodies, research groups, NGOs, and other groups.
The consortium carries out research, collects and provides information, andconstructs a network between each domestic research group.

Workshop in Fiji
(Photo: Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office Asia-Pacific Cultural
Centre for UNESCO (ACCU))

International Communication
Ancient Japanese Art Overseas Exhibition
International communication through cultural properties contributes toadvances in mutual understanding and communication between each of ourcultures. The Agency for Cultural Affairs introduces the excellent culturalproperties of Japan. In order to deepen the understanding of Japanese
history and culture, and to promote international cultural communication,
the Ancient Japanese Art Overseas Exhibition has been held continually
since 1951, and features important cultural properties and nationaltreasures.
In addition, since 1996, in addition to an exhibit in Europe, the Asian
Friendship Ancient Japanese Art Exhibition is also held in Asia to markfifty years since the end of World War II.
In fiscal year 2018, the exhibition “KIZUNA: Japan/Wales/Design” washeld at the National Museum Wales in the United Kingdom, “Masterpiecesof Edo Paintings and Prints” at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Artsin Russia, “ROSETSU—Ferocious Brush” at Museum Rietberg in
Switzerland, and “Jomon—Birth of art in prehistoric Japan” at the Houseof Culture of Japan in Paris in France.

13

Fiscal year 2018 Ancient Japanese Art
Overseas Exhibition“Masterpieces of Edo
Paintings and Prints”(Venue: Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts)

Stories of the land born from the voices ofhistory.
Certified Japan Heritage in 2015 (18 heritages)
1

Educational Heritage from Early-Modern Japan (1568-1868):
Dekansho-Bushi: Hometown Memories Passed Down in
10
The Origins of Academics and Decorum
Folk Songs

2 Kakaa Denka: The Silk Story of Gunma
3

11 The Dawn of Japan: Women in the Asuka Period

Takaoka: Flourishing Folk Culture Under the Rule of the
Maeda Family of Kaga

4 The Noto Peninsula: Where the Light Dances

12

A Site for Purifying the Six Roots of Perception and Healing the Six Senses: Japan’s Most
Dangerous National Treasure and Temple and a World-Famous Radon Hot Spring

13

Tsuwano Then and Now: Exploring the Town of Tsuwano
Through the One Hundred Landscapes of Tsuwano

14

A Miniature Garden City from the Middle Ages Built Aroundthe Onomichi Channel

5

Wakasa Province: A Cultural Heritage Linking the Sea to
the Ancient Capital

6

Gifu: An Ancient Castle Town with the Spirit of Nobunaga’s
15 Henro: The Pilgrimage Route and 88 Temples of Shikoku
Hospitality

7 Saiku: The Palace of Saio -the Imperial Princess Prays
8

Lake Biwa and Its Surroundings: A Water Heritage Site ofLife and Prayer

9 A Walk through the 800 Years History of Japanese Tea

16

The Western Capital of Ancient Japan: Exchange Hub with
East Asia

17

The Frontier Islands of Iki and Tsushima, Goto: The Ancient
Bridge to the Continent18

The Culture of the Sagara Family: 700 Years of a Conservative Yet
Innovative Spirit in one of Japan’s Richest Remote Regions

4 Abare Festival

(Noto Town)

17
●
17
●

Residence, Onomichi City

39
39●
39●Aomori
●

39
４●
●

39
●
39 Akita
●
39
●
Iwate
39
●
39
●
39
●
40 ●
■
Miyagi20
Yamagata
19
56 ●●Niigata

39
●
26
39 ●
●

22
21 ●
●
Fukushima

58
Tochigi ●
３ 39
■
Gunma
59 ●
■
27
57
■
■
２ ●
１
39
●
１
●
39●
●
29 Nagano
Ibaraki■50●
Saitama■
41
Fukui
39
●
61
Tottori 39 ●
●
39
Tokyo
５●
39 ６ Gifu●
60
28
39●45 ●
●
33 ■
35●
23
39 Shiga ■
●
12 ●
34 ●
24 ■
25 ●
●
■
●
Yamanashi Kanagawa
48
■
Kyoto
Hyogo
８
Chiba
●
Okayama
50●
Shimane
39
62 ●
●
62 ●
43 ●
35
●
50
42●
50 ●
10●
■
１
Aichi Shizuoka●
Hiroshima
９
39●
44●
39 ●
50●
39 ●
64●
42 ●
50
●
13
■
49●
■
７
65
39
■
■
36
●●
39
44●
11
14●
●
■
Yamaguchi

52
●
52
●
16

66
■
●
Saga
35
54
●
１●
37 Fukuoka●
37 ●●Nagasaki
Oita
17
●
53
●
Kumamoto18●
Miyazaki67●
Kagoshima

14 Area of the Former Fukui


38
■

39
●

39 39
●
●

● Collective story(unfolds in several municipalities)■ Local story (unfolds in one municipality)

39
●

39
●

Ishikawa Toyama

35●
Kagawa●30 Osaka ●39 ●31 Mie●1539 ●46 Nara
●
36
●
15
●
47
■
15
63
●
Tokushima ■
15
32
Ehime
●
●
51
Wakayama●
Kochi(Memorial Hall of Literature)

Certified Japan Heritage in 2016 (19 heritages)

21 Sazaedo Hall

19 The“DATE Culture”Fostered by Masamune

29

Hida Takayama’s Wood Artisans: 1300 Year-Old
Lineage of Skill and Spirit

20 A Journey to Rebirth Amid the Sacred Nature of Dewa Sanzan

30

Awaji Island: Creation of Japan’s First Island andthe People of the Sea

21

Visiting 33 Kannon in Aizu: Witnessing Old Aizu Culture
Yoshino, Birthplace of Japanese Afforestation: the31
Through Pilgrimage
Mutual Relationship Between People and Forest

22

The Canal That Ensured the Future of Asaka: Okubo
Toshimichi’s Last Dream and the Footprints of a Pioneer

32 Living with whales

23

An Edo Travelogue of Cities in Northern Chiba (Hokuso): Four
Cities That Supported the Mega-City of Edo

33

24

Isehara City and the Mt. Oyama Pilgrimage: Destination
34 Izumo Tatara Chronicle: A Thousand Years of Iron
for the Faith and Leisure of Edo’s Commoners

okinawa

25 Kamakura: A Historical and Cultural Mosaic

36 The site of Noshima Fort

Daisen Gyuba Ichi: Japan’s Largest LivestockMarket Born of Jizo Bodhisattva Worship

35

The Four Dynamic Coastal Cities of Yokosuka, Kure, Sasebo,
and Maizuru: Centers of Japanese Modernization

26

Kaengata Doki Jomon Pottery and the Snow Country
Culture of the Shinano River Basin

36

Murakami Kaizoku: Japan’s Largest“Pirate”group and theirterritory in the Geiyo Archipelago

27

Komatsu City and Its Culture of Stones: the Narrativeof Gems

37

The Ceramics of Hizen: Birthplace of JapanesePorcelain Ware28

The Old Trade Route of Kisoji: Preserver of theMountain and Survivor of Time

14

55
●
Hokkaido

Historical properties preserved, then revitalized!
The beginning of Japan Heritage.
Japan Heritage“Japan Heritage” refers to places or objects certified by the Agency for Cultural
Affairs that tell a traditional story of the country’s culture through regional
historical charms or special properties.
The region becomes the main actor in maintaining and utilizing in acomprehensive manner the tangible and intangible cultural properties overflowing
with charms that are vital to telling the story and in promoting the stories
strategically both domestically and abroad. By doing so, we aim to revitalize theregions where these sites and objects are located. There are currently 67 items
certified as “Japan Heritage” stories (as of January 2019).

Certified Japan Heritage in 2017 (17 heritages)

47 Soy sauce making

38

Even Edo is not as busy as Esashi in May: The town
made prosperous by herring

39

The Kitamae-Bune Sea Routes: Ports and Residences
The Sunset in the Sacred land of Izumo: Sunset
48
Built on the Dreams of Brave Seafarers
Created by the Gods

40

Samurai Silk: Tsuruoka and Scenes of Early Modern
Japan

49

Kurashiki and the Story of Fiber: East Meets Westthrough the Planting of Cotton

41

Gyoda, town of Tabigura that continues to support
Japanese kimono culture from the feet50

Six Ancient Kilns: Japanese Ceramics Born and
Raised in Japan

42

The Villages of Secret Arts: The Real Ninja of Iga
and Koga

51

From Forestry Railway to The Yuzu Road: The
Scenery and Food Culture of Tosa’s Chugei Region

43

Tango Chirimen Textile Road: A 300-Year History of
Weaving Silk Crepe Textiles

52

Kanmon“Nostalgic”Straits: Memories of Japan’smodernization frozen in time

44

Takenouchi Kaido /Yokooji: Japan’s Oldest National
Highway with a History of 1400 Years53

Two Millennia of Rice Cultivation: The Kikuchigawa
River Basin45

Yabakei Scenery: Traveling in the Sansui Scroll
The Old Silver Mine Carriage Road and Road of Ore: Bantan’s54
Painting of NatureIndustrial Heritage Route, Memories of Resource Rich Japan

47 Kishu Yuasa’s Soy Brewery: Japan’s First Soy Sauce

46 Wakanoura Bay: A Treasure House of Scenic Beauty
48 Sunset at Fumishima Island

Certified Japan Heritage in 2018 (13 heritages)
55

Kamikawa Ainu in Coexistence with Kamuy: Traditional World of theGods at the Foot of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range

56 Safflower Culture Supported by Yamadera

62

In Travellers’Footsteps on Ancient Cobblestone Roads: A
Distant Edo Journey Following the Hakone Hachiri Route63

Eternal Relief: Heritage of Disaster Prevention Through theMemories of Tsunami and Recovery in Hirogawa

57

Utsunomiya，Home of Oya Stone - Discover an
Underground Adventure-64

Okayama, the Birthplace of the Legend of Momotaro:
Ancient Kibi Heritage Conveying Tales of Demon Slaying

58

The Future Envisioned by the Meiji Aristocrats:
Pioneering Nasunogahara

65

Japan’
s Leading Port Town of Early-Modern Times: Tomonoura, with its
Sepia Tones Enveloped in the Evening Calm of the Seto Inland Sea

59

Inami Woodcarving Museum Born from the Chisels ofMaster Carpenters

66 Kunisaki: Where Oni and Buddhas Coexist as One

60

A Landscape Interwoven with Vineyards: Kyoto
District, Yamanashi Prefecture

67

61

Fallen Stars from the Jomon era: Journey Back Thousandsof Years to the Obsidian Mines of the Jomon people

57 Underground Adventure

Monuments of Ancient People - Scenic Ancient Burial
Mounds in the Southern Land of Miyazaki

64 Okayama, the Birthplace of thelegend of Momotaro

15

Protection of Cultural Properties Logo
In order to spread the basic regional protection activities of culturalproperties to the nation, the“Cultural Property Protection Symbol”
wasselected through public invitation for designs made on the proclamation
day of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties on May 30, 1966.
It will be approaching its 50th year in use in 2016.

Published: September 2019
Edited and published by: Agency for Cultural Affairs, JAPAN
3-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo 100-8959
TEL +81-（0）3-5253-4111（main line）
URL http://www.bunka.go.jp/english/index.html
No article or any part thereof may be reproduced without permission in writing of the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
Ⓒ Agency for Cultural Affairs 2019.9