KYOTO -- The city of Miyazu in northern Kyoto Prefecture was among the places recognized by the Cultural Affairs Agency as a Japan Heritage for its connection with Kitamaebune cargo ships that played a key role in trade across the Sea of Japan during the Edo period (1603-1867) and the Meiji era (1868-1912).
With the recognition of Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture now has a connection to four of what the agency calls Japan Heritage stories. These municipalities are striving to use the Japan Heritage designation to vitalize local communities and promote tourism.
Publicity overseas
At a ceremony held by the Miyazu government on May 28 to celebrate the Japan Heritage recognition, then Mayor Shoji Inoue said, "This is the first step toward building vigorous local communities."
The story of the historic cargo ships earned Japan Heritage status in April last year with the city of Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, playing a central role in promoting the designation. This May, Miyazu was among the 27 municipalities added to the list of Kitamaebune-related areas, bringing the total to 38 sites in 15 prefectures.
Miyazu's connection with Kitamaebune is the second Japan Heritage designation for the town, which is also recognized as a major silk center of the old region known as Tango.
Local governments have organized forums to publicize Kitamaebune. The 23rd such forum was held in Dalian, China, on May 27. It was the first forum to take place overseas. Japanese and Chinese private firms participated and held informal business discussions.
Kazuo Imai, head of the Miyazu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attended the forum and voiced his expectations.
"This could lead to economic vitalization," he said.
Miyazu's city government, chamber of commerce and industry and other entities plan to produce a map of the city's places related to Kitamaebune. Such sites include the former Mikami family residence, an important cultural asset that belonged to a local business tycoon who made his fortune through shipborne trade. They also plan to train guides to introduce the city's history.
Heritage benefits
The central government provides up to about 70 million yen in subsidies over three years to cover the costs of disseminating information and fostering human resources for places recognized as being connected to Japan Heritage stories. Associations created by the municipal governments receive the subsidies.
The first Japan Heritage story was recognized in Kyoto Prefecture in 2015 and called "A Walk through the 800-year History of Japanese Tea." Associated with the recognition are 12 municipalities in the southern part of the prefecture, including Uji city and Wazuka town, which have spent the central government subsidies on attracting more tourists, including by making multilingual placards and pamphlets.
According to the Kyoto prefectural government, about 11.66 million tourists visited those 12 municipalities in 2016, about 2 million more than in 2013. The amount of spending by tourists also increased 50 percent to about 19.2 billion yen.
Itsuki Ononoe, chief of the commerce, industry and tourism division of the Uji city government, said, "The town's recognition as a Japan Heritage site increased the brand value of Japanese tea and led to the creation of new products, such as sweets that use matcha green tea powder."
Waiting list
Municipalities in the prefecture are also aiming to earn recognition for two other Japan Heritage stories.
In one, Kyoto, Kameoka and Nantan are promoting the natural environments of the Tango and Kitayama regions that have supported the development of Kyoto Prefecture.
In another, Kyoto, Kameoka, Uji, Miyazu and Maizuru are promoting a pilgrimage route comprising 33 locations in the Kinki region and Gifu Prefecture.
Kyoto Gov. Takatoshi Nishiwaki said at a press conference on June 1, "Recognition as Japan Heritage gives a shot of adrenaline to the prefectural government's tourism policy, which aims to encourage visitors to tour various places across the prefecture."
The governor also said he planned to support efforts to earn recognition such as by lobbying the Cultural Affairs Agency.
Regional cooperation key to Japan Heritage recognition
Hiroshi Matsuzaka, chief of the secretariat of the Kyoto-based Headquarters for Vitalizing Regional Cultures of the Cultural Affairs Agency, which has worked on Japan Heritage designations since 2015, stressed the importance of regional cooperation for attaining the status.
"The protection of cultural assets began with individual items, such as buildings and art objects. But we thought stories that include local customs, historic affairs and legends passed down in local communities are valuable. So we came to view Japan Heritage from a broader perspective.
"With this approach, local governments across the nation can collaborate more easily than before. For a single local community that has difficulty attracting attention as a tourist spot, this method makes it easier to promote its attractiveness by highlighting its place in a story connected to other municipalities.
"For the Cultural Affairs Agency, efforts are necessary to increase the brand value of Japan Heritage itself. We plan to hold Japan Heritage summit meetings every year at which representatives from recognized municipalities gather. We also plan to attract tourists from overseas through publicity efforts such as pamphlets."
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