Sacred Places, Pilgrimage, and Tourism - Geography of Religion in Japan: Religious Space, Landscape, and Behavior - page 151

formation of the “ spirit of the place ” in Narita's city center, and the question “ what
makes our town unique ?” accelerated through the landscape improvement projects.
These developments were not identical in the three towns (Nakamachi, Kamicho,
and Hanasakicho) but were helped by rivalry, as illustrated by the Gion Festival.
Discussions of the community planning of Omotesando happened through the infra-
structure improvement project, and gradually developed a traditional landscape of a
shopping street, reinforcing the symbols of Monzenmachi and Omotesando.

4.2 Commodifi cation of Sacred Space and World Heritage

Registration Movement: Case Study of the Nagasaki
Church Group

4.2.1 Sacred Places and Commodifi cation

In recent years, what can be called a “World Heritage boom” has become a promi-
nent phenomenon in Japan. Communities expect that a World Heritage designation
will benefi t local economies, and many people believe the designation will revital-
ize local economies by promoting tourism. A World Heritage site designation dra-
matically increases information available through media, such as travel magazines,
guidebooks, TV, and the Internet. Tourism-related industries and organizations
expect visitor numbers to increase; local governments and economic organizations
expect a World Heritage site registration to trigger regional development. Thus,
many organizations promote registration.
On 23 January 2007, the Agency for Cultural Affairs added four sites, the
Tomioka Silk Mill, Mt. Fuji, Asuka-Fujiwara and the Nagasaki Church Group, as
Japanese candidates on the tentative list for nomination as cultural heritage sites.
Designation as a World Heritage site means that the value of precious Japanese
cultural properties will be evaluated internationally, and also means that general
efforts to conserve the cultural properties of a region will be dramatically improved
by the designation process. The Agency for Cultural Affairs, therefore, promotes
World Heritage site designations.
The World Heritage boom can be attributed to the needs of the region, which
presumes it will stimulate tourism, and to the tourists themselves. The baby-boom
generation has started to reach retirement age and demand for leisure and tourism
activities has increased. The baby-boom generation is also comparatively rich,
interested in history and culture, and aspires to culturally educational type tourism.
World Heritage sites are very attractive to people who have the time and money to
travel around their own country or abroad. Commentators and planners expect
tourism to World Heritage sites to expand where supply and demand can be
balanced.
However, the designation of World Heritage site may also include many negative
elements. Excessive tourism may damage or contaminate cultural properties