Cultural properties in Setouchi city

The Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties defines several categories of cultural property, namely “Tangible Cultural Properties”, subdivided into  “structures” and “fine arts and crafts”; “Intangible Cultural Properties”; “Folk Cultural Properties”; “Monuments”; “Cultural Landscapes”; and “Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings”. ​Depending on the type of property, it is either designated or registered by the national or local government in order to focus preservation efforts.

Additionally in some cases, such as with Intangible Cultural Properties and Intangible Folk Cultural Properties, designation by itself is not sufficient and additional measures and further recording is required. In these cases, the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs will decide what is required and endeavours to carry out any necessary procedures.

As well as those mentioned above, there are two other categories of cultural property that are the target of preservation efforts. These are, namely, Buried Cultural Properties, which include tombs, archaeological sites, and other underground remains, and Conservation Techniques for Cultural Properties, or traditional crafts and techniques required to preserve and repair cultural properties.

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