Heritage Tourism in Contemporary Japan

Consideration of the situation of heritage tourism in contemporary Japan necessarily involves a consideration of the social and cultural changes of the country as a result of the rapid economic growth and land development. Nostalgic “furusate” villages created all over Japan, reflect the social, cultural and political dimensions of society at the national level. This research of an innovative historical tourism project in the Kansai region reveals the ideological and economic background and the difficulties associated with promoting this venture as an integrated administrative plan in a large region. A case study of Asuka village shows that heritage tourism at the regional level should carefully focus on the locality. The future success of this distinctive project will depend on a more comprehensive view of the plan not only from the government, but also locally.