Japan to list historic canal as national treasure
Japan's government is updating its list of national treasures. The new addition is a historic canal running from Lake Biwa to the city of Kyoto.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs made the announcement on Friday.
An expert panel singled out five facilities, including a brick aqueduct at Nanzenji Temple, three tunnels, and a railway for transporting boats up and down a slope.
They were constructed during the Meiji era in the late 19th century, when Japan adopted engineering and construction technologies from the West.
The experts say the facilities are profoundly significant because they became an essential part of Kyoto's landscape.
The agency also says a set of 24 structures along the canal will be designated as important cultural properties.
And so will "Tower of the Sun," a landmark in Osaka Prefecture designed by artist Okamoto Taro. The work served as the centerpiece of the 1970 World Expo.
The expert panel says the event has come to symbolize Japan's postwar economic boom.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
13 hours ago
- NHK
Japan's Princess Kako honors Japanese immigrants to Brazil
Japan's Princess Kako, who is visiting Brazil, has prayed for the souls of Japanese immigrants who laid the foundations for the world's largest overseas Japanese community. The second daughter of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino arrived in the city of Sao Paulo on Thursday morning. Brazil is home to more people of Japanese ancestry -- about 2.7 million -- than any other country. Of those, nearly 1.3 million live in the southern state of Sao Paulo. In the capital of the state, the princess offered flowers and a prayer before the memorial monument for Japanese settlers who died in the region. She also visited the Japanese Pavilion, which was built with contributions from immigrants from Japan and the Japanese government. The facility was built entirely in Japanese style and is known for its garden with "nishikigoi" colorful carp swimming in a pond. On the premises are trees planted by members of the Imperial family who previously visited the facility. Princess Kako planted a cherry sapling near the tree her parents had planted 10 years ago. The princess will stay in Brazil through June 15. During the latter half of her trip, she will attend a ceremony in the capital Brasilia to commemorate 130 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
NHK
18 hours ago
- NHK
New Yorkers get a taste of modern Tokyo
With the rise in tourism to Japan, Americans are developing a more sophisticated view of Japanese culture. In response, a retail complex in Brooklyn, New York is luring them with the kind of modern lifestyle products you could find in a stylish Tokyo neighborhood. NHK World's Inoue Yuki reports.
NHK
a day ago
- NHK
Season's first catch of surf clams unloaded in Soma City, northeastern Japan
Fishing boats have set out from a port in Japan's northeastern prefecture of Fukushima for the season's first catch of surf clams. The fishing season started this month off the coast of Fukushima following an annual four-month ban to protect marine resources. The first catch in Soma City got underway on Wednesday. Fishers unloaded baskets full of clams at one of the city's ports. They caught about 1.2 tons on the first day, almost the same volume as in the past. At a processing facility, workers shucked the fresh shellfish. The clams harvested off the coast of Soma are known for their thick and soft meat, and sweet flavor. Local people enjoy the delicacy as sashimi, deep-fried tempura or in seasoned rice.
