The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted at the 1972 UNESCO General Meeting, aims to protect examples of natural and cultural heritage that should be passed on to future generations. Since Japan became the 126th signatory in 1992, two natural heritage zones and ten cultural heritage zones have been registered for protected status. Five of the cultural heritage zones are in Kansai, distributed among six prefectures.

Himeji Castle, also known as "White Heron Castle" because of the beauty of its whitewashed walls, was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1993. Its history goes back to 1333, when Akamatsu Norimura erected a fort on Mt. Himeyama. It was taken over in 1580 by Hashiba (later known as Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, who added a three-story donjon, which served as his base for unifying western Japan. The present structure was completed in 1609 by Ikeda Terumasa following nine years of construction. It consists of a large donjon and three smaller towers, which are located on a hill and surrounded by three rings of outer compounds. The harmony and elegance of these elements together put Himeji Castle at the pinnacle of Japanese castle architecture.

The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyuji Temple Area were also registered as a World Heritage Site in 1993. The world's oldest extant group of wooden structures, they are said to have been built in the year 607 by Prince Regent Shotoku at the request of Empress Suiko, who hoped their construction would cure Shotoku's ill father and Suiko's brother, the former emperor Yomei. The present compound consists of a Western Precinct, Eastern Precinct and various smaller precincts. The Golden Pavilion, five-storied pagoda, central gate and cloister of the Western Precinct are extremely rare and precious structures that pass down the legacy of 7th-century Buddhist architectural styles to the present day. They are also the repository of Buddhist statues such as the Yakushi Nyorai and Kudara Kannon, which are masterpieces of Asuka period art.

In 1994, the Cultural Properties of the Ancient Capital of Kyoto were registered as one group consisting of 17 shrines, temples and castles in Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures. The registered properties are the Shinto shrines Kamigamo Jinja and Shimogamo Jinja, the Buddhist temples Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, Toji, Kiyomizudera, Daigoji, Ninnaji, Kozanji, Ryoanji, Tenryuji, Saihoji and Nishi-Honganji, and Nijo Castle in Kyoto city; Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine in Uji city (Kyoto prefecture); and Enryakuji Temple in Otsu city (Shiga prefecture). Their architectural styles span a wide range, representing almost every era of Kyoto's history as the Imperial capital (794-1868): The most ancient, Kamigamo Shrine, is mentioned in Japan's oldest official history, the Nihon Shoki (compiled from 680 to 720), while Nijo Castle, which was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu and completed by his grandson, Iemitsu, dates from the 17th century.

The Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara were also registered as one group, in 1998. They consist of the Buddhist temples Todaiji, whose Great Buddha Hall is the largest wooden structure in the world; Kofukuji, most of whose buildings have been designated Japanese National Treasures or Important Cultural Assets; Gangoji, which flourished as the center of the popular Jodo (Pure Land) sect; Toshodaiji, which was founded by the Tang Chinese monk, Jianzhen; and Yakushiji, a compound of magnificent structures with Mt. Wakakusa as their backdrop; the brilliantly scarlet-painted Shinto shrine Kasuga Taisha; the Kasugayama virgin forest, which has been preserved for a thousand years as the sacred precinct of Kasuga Taisha shrine; and the remains of Heijo Palace, which was the center of Japan's political administration during the Nara Period.

In July 2004, the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Route of the Kii Mountains (Wakayama, Nara and Mie prefectures) were registered as a World Heritage Site. The Kii Mountains are home to three major sacred sites-Yoshino, Omine and the Kumano Sanzan shrines-which are linked by the Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage route. The shrines and temples of this region boast a venerable history, and together with the beautiful scenery of the area, form a cultural legacy of immense significance to the world. Included in this group is Koyasan, the Buddhist monastic complex on Mt. Koya. The center of the Shingon sect founded by the venerated monk Kukai, Koyasan is situated inside a thick forest 1,000 meters above sea level. It was revered and protected by successive emperors over centuries, and remains a vibrant community of esoteric Buddhism even today.

In addition to these World Heritage sites, Kansai boasts numerous other examples of Japan's treasured cultural heritage. The many structures which have been designated National Treasures include Horyuji temple in Nara prefecture, the Kondo building in the Ninnaji temple compound in Kyoto, Himeji Castle in Hyogo, Hikone Castle in Shiga, and Chohoji temple in Wakayama, while the number of Important Cultural Assets in Kansai is beyond listing here. Indeed, the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara contain so many National Treasures and important cultural properties that it would be no exaggeration to say these cities are themselves cultural assets. Outside these historical centers as well, there are numerous National Treasures such as the main sanctuary and three-story pagoda of Myotsuji temple in Obama, Fukui prefecture, which flourished through trade with the continent and is known as the "small Kyoto" of Wakasa. Indeed, Kansai is home to some 60% of Japan's cultural properties.

Of particular importance among these cultural assets are temples and shrines. These include Shitennoji temple, built by Prince Shotoku, and Sumiyoshi Shrine built in honor of Empress Jingu (both in Osaka City); Ise Shrine in Mie; the Koyasan temple complex in Wakayama; and Eiheiji temple in Fukui Prefecture. Ise Shrine is said to have a history of over two thousand years. It consists primarily of an Inner Shrine dedicated to the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu Omikami, and an Outer Shrine dedicated to Toyouke no Okami, the god of food, shelter and clothing. Toyouke no Okami oversees the Sun Goddess' meals and is the guardian deity of industry. In addition to these main shrines, there are 123 smaller shrines scattered around the expansive grounds, and the dense 5,500-hectare shrine forest creates an atmosphere of dignified sanctity.

Eiheiji is the head temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, and was founded by the great monk Dogen in 1244. Consisting of seven structures including the inner gate, the Buddha Hall and lecture hall, the temple is situated in a glen deep in the mountains and surrounded by ancient cedar trees, some of them 680 years old. In this quiet sanctuary, some 200 young monks from all over the country study the Sutras and undergo Zen training. Tourists are permitted to view one section of the complex, circumscribed by a corridor, and can also experience meditation in the training hall.

At 486 meters in length, the burial mound encompassing the tomb of Emperor Nintoku in Sakai, Osaka prefecture is the largest in the world. Shaped like a keyhole (square at the head and rounded at the foot) and having three levels, it is surrounded by three circular moats and covers a total area of 464,123 square meters.

Tokushima prefecture has numerous temples, including Shozanji, the twelfth stop in the popular Pilgrimage to the 88 Temples of Shikoku and one of the six temples on the route for doing penance.

In order to preserve the region's rich historical and cultural heritage, the eight prefectures of Kansai are moving forward with the Rekishi Kaido (Historical Route) project. In addition to a Main Route that connects Ise, Asuka, Nara, Kyoto and Osaka so that visitors can travel through successive eras in Japanese history, there will be eight sub-routes planned according to various themes, such as "castles" and "legends and folk tales." It is anticipated that these routes will serve to share Japanese culture and the Japanese spirit with people from all over the world, and the Historical Route is expected to become a major new tourist route of the 21st century.

Reprinted courtesy of Kansai Window