"Tangible Cultural Properties" collectively refer to cultural products with a tangible form that possess high historic, artistic, and academic value to Japan, such as structures, crafts, sculptures, calligraphic works, classical books, paleography, archaeological artifacts, and historic materials. In this page, it is introduced National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties (structures) that were designated by the national government and Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (structure) that were registered by the national government.
National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties (structures)
The national government designates especially significant Tangible Cultural Properties as Important Tangible Cultural Properties among which ones with exceptionally high cultural values from the global perspective are designated as National Treasures to ensure sufficient protection. (SeeNumbers of Designated Cultural Properties).
For this heritage to be passed on to future generations, National Treasures and Important Cultural Property buildings require a range of appropriate and timely conservation work. Repair work is carried out by the owners of Important Cultural Properties or designated custodial bodies, and state financial support is available to cover large expenses. As many of them have wooden structures and roofs made of plant materials like thatch, wooden shingle, and cypress bark, they are extremely vulnerable to fire. For this reason, the Agency for Cultural Affairs provides subsidies to install necessary disaster prevention systems.
Moreover, the buildings and structures of Japan's modern era form a significant cultural heritage born out of this country's modernization process. However, due to societal changes, many of them have been rapidly disappearing. The Agency conducts national surveys to identify the locations and characteristics of such cultural properties. Based on the results of these investigations, a growing number of modern buildings and structures are being designated as Important Cultural Properties.
 National Treasure, Kuno-zan Toshogu Shrine (Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture) |  National Treasure, Akasaka Palace (Minato Ward, Tokyo) |  Important Cultural Property, Katakurakan (Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture) |
 Important Cultural Property, Old Ibigawa Bridge (Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture) |  Important Cultural Property, Sugimoto Family Residence (Kyoto City, Kyoto) |  Important Cultural Property, Zuigan-ji Temple (Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture) |
Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (structures)
On October 1, 1996, the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties was amended, and a cultural property registration system was introduced in addition to the existing designation system. Under the new system, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology shall register architectural and other structural properties which are in particular need of measures for protection and utilization as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.
This system was designed to protect and pass down widely-varying modern cultural properties of social value, that are endangered due to lifestyle changes, as well as national land and urban development. It includes moderate protection based on notification, instruction, and advice and serves as a supplementary measure to the traditional designation system that is based on careful selection, a permission requirement and other tighter regulations, and strict protection.
(SeeNumber of Designated Cultural Properties)
◇"Comprehensive List of 5000 Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (structure)"
◇Registered Tangible Cultural Property, Office Building of Former Monbusho (Ministry of Education)
 Hondo of Koryu-ji Temple (Hakodate City, Hokkaido) |  Tokyo Tower (Minato Ward, Tokyo) |  Toyoda Auditorium of Nagoya University (Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture) |
 Daiozaki Lighthouse (Shima City, Mie Prefecture) |  School Building of Former Toyosato Elementary School (Toyosato Town, Inugami-gun, Shiga Prefecture) |  Main Building of JR Kotohira Station (Kotohira Town, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa Prefecture) |
