Tourism Hikone Castle nears world heritage status

[thomas]

Hikone Castle , a prominent 17th-century landmark, has reached a significant milestone. The Cultural Affairs Agency announced on October 9th that the castle has received a favourable preliminary evaluation for UNESCO World Heritage status. The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, has supported Japan's nomination strategy. It emphasises Hikone Castle's crucial role in sustaining the feudal system during the Edo Period (1603-1867).

Photo credit: Sujino Kenta​

While ICOMOS has preferred a more comprehensive approach that includes other castles, they acknowledge that a single-castle nomination is still feasible. However, a more detailed explanation of Hikone Castle's significance within the broader network of daimyo feudal lords under the Tokugawa Shogunate would be required. Currently, the prefecture intends to proceed with a nomination for Hikone Castle alone. This decision marks a significant step in achieving the castle's UNESCO World Heritage status.

Achieving World Heritage status requires several steps, including selection as a domestic candidate by the Council for Cultural Affairs. While the earliest possible registration date for Hikone Castle is 2027, a joint nomination with other castles could delay the process. The current evaluation by the ICOMOS is valid for five years, meaning Japan must submit a formal nomination within this period or undergo a new preliminary assessment. Hikone Castle was first added to UNESCO's tentative list of properties suitable for the World Heritage List in 1992. The popular tourist site features a keep, which is designated a national treasure, moats, stone walls, a garden and the remains of a palace and residences for high-ranking samurai. The complex is the only remaining example of an Edo Period castle where all these structures have been preserved together, according to the city of Hikone. However, the World Heritage registration of Himeji Castle in 1993 has made it challenging to differentiate Hikone Castle as a unique example of a Japanese castle from the same era.

Hikone Castle takes step closer to earning World Heritage status | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[mdchachi]

I'm surprised it's not already.

 

[thomas]

I'm surprised it's not already.

I was wondering about that, too. However, the article holds a clue: "[...] the World Heritage registration of Himeji Castle in 1993 has made it challenging to differentiate Hikone Castle as a unique example of a Japanese castle from the same era."

 

[mdchachi]

I was wondering about that, too. However, the article holds a clue: "[...] the World Heritage registration of Himeji Castle in 1993 has made it challenging to differentiate Hikone Castle as a unique example of a Japanese castle from the same era."

So there's not room for more than one?

Neuschwanstein isn't either, apparently. But they only decided to apply for it in 2023.