This convention deals with the protection of natural and cultural heritage endangered by extinction or destruction caused by social or economic changes. Its activities center mainly on the world heritage committee, established through UNESCO by a group of countries. Presently (as of June 1995) 142 countries have entered into the treaty.

1.Designation of the item: Itsukushima Shrine

2.Location: Hiroshima Prefecture, Saeki-gun, Miyajima-machi

3. Outline of the item

The items recommended for protection as cultural heritage include the main building of the Itsukushima Shrine (Honden), the hall of worship (Haiden), and 17 associated buildings organized under the "Heiden", and the three items large Torii (shintoistic gate), 5-storied pagoda and Tahoto pagoda. (Six building have been designated national treasures, 11 buildings and the 3 other structures have been designated important cultural treasures.) Combined with these cultural heritage items the area including the sea in front of the shrine and Mt. Misen forming the background for the shrine, which determine the value of this piece of heritage, have also been included. The group of buildings of the Itsukushima shrine has been erected and spaced according to a certain, clear concept in a harmonic and unified fashion, where the group of shrine buildings form, combined with its vicinity, a historical structure. Each of the buildings is of outstanding architectural style. The group of shrine buildings of the Itsukushima shrine stands in front of the deep green of the sacred Mt. Misen and viewed from the sea the appearance of the brightly vermilion painted group of religious buildings creates a unique scenery of unparalleled scale of concept.

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