Rekishi Kaido Project

Rekishi Kaido Project

     The Kansai region accounts for about 60% of the country's national treasures and about 50% of the assets specified as important cultural assets. The Rekishi Kaido Project (Historical Highways Project) was designed to offer easily understood information on these historical and cultural assets to both Japanese and foreign citizens.

     In order to vitalize the historical and cultural assets found in the Kansai region and enhance the characteristic charm of the region, in 1993, the Kinki Regional Development Bureau established the " Rekishi Kaido Model Works " a project designed to create a pleasant historical atmosphere easily enjoyed by both domestic and foreign visitors.

     Up to the end of the fiscal year 2001, construction plans have been drawn up for 66 areas under the authority of the local municipalities and 45 within our jurisdiction. In the year 2002, four (4) new municipalities will be added to those already specified, and we will commence a wide range of works in the current model districts.

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[Three Goals of the Rekishi Kaido Project]

Creation of a base for the dissemination of information on Japanese culture
Creation of new leisure zones
Regional planning taking full advantage of the local historical and cultural assets (Rekishi Kaido Model Works)

Rekishi Kaido Promotional Council Home Page
http://www.kiis.or.jp/rekishi/kaido-e.html

	This route follows the flow of history and the main metropolitan areas such as Ise, Asuka, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe.
	Eight routes that emphasize the unique characteristics of each local region.

For example - -

The Uji City Tale of Genji Museum

Uji City (The site of the story in the Tale of Genji)

Uji City, a few miles south of Kyoto, is home to Byodoin Temple (Heian Period: 8th - 12th centuries), which is specified as a World Heritage Site, and it is also the site of the story told in the famous Tale of Genji (written in the 11th century, this is a series of 54 stories set in the Heian Period). City planning has been in progress from 1991 based on the theme of Uji as the city of the Tale of Genji. The fruit of those efforts were realized in 1998, with the opening of the Uji City Tale of Genji Museum.

Click here for information on Uji City

Hirakata-shuku Kagiya Museum

Hirakata City (Rebirth of the prosperity seen along the Yodo River and the Kyo Kaido)

Located along the Kyo Kaido, once the main route linking Osaka and Kyoto (Edo Period: 17 - 18th centuries), Hirakata Post Station was one of the most famous post towns (relay station) in its day, and the site of many inns. From years long past, the city prospered as a distribution center for goods carried by boats on the Yodo River, and even today it still retains the bustling atmosphere of the common people that has made it famous. We are directly involved in the preservation and rebirth of the cultural assets along the old historical route located in the central urban areas of Hirakata City. The photograph here shows one example, "Kagiya," once an inn and restaurant, which we have converted into a cultural reference museum.

Yume Kyobashi Castle Road

Hikone City (City of Moonlight with an Ancient Castle)

Hikone City is the site of many remains and historical spots related to the Age of Civil Wars (16th century, also known as the Warring Period). Hikone City prospered as the castle town at the foot of Hikone Castle that was home to the Ii family in ancient Japan. Works are in progress to restore and enhance the rich cultural atmosphere of the quaint buildings lining the streets and the walkways. On the south side of the castle, there is the Yume Kyobashi Castle Road, and we are reconstructing the uniform monotone atmosphere of the town house buildings lining the street in an effort to recapture the true spirit of the old castle town.

Takamatsuzuka Tumulus Park

Asuka Village (The romantic source of ancient history in Japan)

The burial mound shown in this photograph is known as the Takamatsuzuka Tumulus (Asuka Period: 7th - 8th centuries). Laws were enacted to preserve the romantic atmosphere and landscape of the many cultural assets to be found in the area around Asuka Village. Taking full advantage of this historic scenery, the Kinki Regional Development Bureau is promoting appropriate construction and maintenance of the roadways, the river, parks and the guide signs in the area. Many visitors come to the village on the weekends to enjoy walking in this special atmosphere.

Click here for information on Asuka Village