“Japan Heritage is a designation by the Agency for Cultural Affairs that recognizes stories showcasing the cultural and traditional aspects of our country through the historical charm of local regions. While traditional cultural assets used to be designated and preserved as individual “points” of heritage, this approach alone couldn’t adequately convey the allure of the regions. Therefore, Japan Heritage packages various scattered heritages, such as culinary culture, castles, shrines and temples, traditional performing arts, and archaeological sites, into cohesive “stories” to utilize and disseminate them as “surfaces.”

Currently, there are 104 stories nationwide, including 15 in Kyushu and Okinawa. To go beyond regional dissemination, a new collaboration has been established across Kyushu and Okinawa, aiming to further enhance the recognition of Japan Heritage in the region. The project has progressed by developing a new collaborative name and main visual with the Rokugo Mansan Japan Heritage Promotion Council, the Oita Design Association. It’s worth noting that this project was selected through an open call for designers as part of the Japan Heritage Enhancement Project and the Kyushu Okinawa Collaboration initiative.”