d) Means for preservation / conservation

1) Management of buildings and the nominated area The major buildings of Itsukushima-jinja which comprise the nominated cultural property are designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties by the national government, with actions taken for protection and preservation as provided under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. Furthermore, the area of the nominated cultural property is designated as a Special Historic Site, a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and as a National Park, to preserve the environment in the region, the buildings, and the archaeological sites underground. Alterations to the existing state of the buildings designated as Cultural Properties and the area designated as a Special Historic Site, a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and a National Park (Special Protection Area and Special Area) are restricted; no alterations are allowed without permission of the national government. Furthermore, the national government has been subsidizing the costs of collecting and disposing of trash in order to maintain the natural scenic beauty of the National Park area. In addition to this, by including the Cultural Properties in the City Park Zone, the Hiroshima prefectural government makes it its business to keep them clean, tend trees in the area, and maintain the preserved facilities. The routine maintenance of buildings is performed by the owner, but if the management and repair require enormous expenses, the national government can subsidize the work if the owner applies for the subsidy. Repairs performed under state subsidy can include building restoration work involving complete or partial large-scale dismantling and re-roofing, painting repair or partial repair covering a building as a whole. For such repair, the national government covers 50% or more of the expenses. In this case, customarily, the prefectural government and the subordinate local governments also grant subsidies, together with the national government subsidy. Conservation work subsidized by the national government is conducted under the guidance of the national and prefectural governments. Aside from the above, maintenance repair such as limited-scale partial repair of a building is subsidized by the prefectural government. The subsidizing rate is fixed at 50%, and the national government may bear up to one half of the subsidy. Itsukushima-jinja employs an architect highly skilled in conservation practice who investigates and plans the routine maintenance and repair work and guides the execution of work at the site. All of the nominated buildings are wooden buildings, and most of the surrounding buildings such as private dwelling houses in the vicinity are also wooden buildings. Therefore, in the management of disaster prevention measures, particular attention is focused on the danger of fires. At present, all of the buildings designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties have automatic fire alarms installed, and furthermore, around these properties, fire hydrants and lightning arresters have been provided. In addition, the owner has organized its own independent fire brigade to cooperate with the public fire defense organization under the guidance of the latter. Technical guidance and financial aid are also given to the owner by national and/or local governments for the installation of these management facilities. Most of the designated buildings are open to the public throughout the year. Arts and crafts and various historic materials possessed by Itsukushima-jinja are also exhibited in several exhibition facilities in the vicinity. Appendix 11 : Plan indicating location of conservation management facilities and equipment. 11a: The plan of the fire preservation systems 11b: The plan of support facilities and facilities for visitors 2) Management of the buffer zone The buffer zone of the property includes the entire island of Itsukushima and a portion of the sea area in front of Itsukushima-jinja, which are together designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. This area is also designated as part of the Setonaikai National Park under the Natural Parks Law, as the Itsukushima Scenic Zone under the City Planning Law, and as a Historical and Scenic Site Reserved Forest under the Forest Law. These laws control any actions that would alter the existing state of landform or vegetation with the aim of preserving both the natural and historic environment of the island. Moreover, the island contains an urbanized area with a population of about 2,600 and a tourism-oriented infrastructure which can handle about three million visitors per year. Two management plans have been set up to prevent the urbanization of the island from compromising the existing harmony with the natural and historic landscape: the Preservation Management Plan of Itsukushima as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Beauty, set up by the Miyajima Town Government, and the Management Plan of the Setonaikai National Park, including the nominated area, set up by the Environment Agency. These plans regulate and guide the colors and styles of buildings to properly harmonize with the surroundings. In addition to these plans, both Hiroshima prefectural and Miyajima town governments have set out regulations which ensure proper preservation of the landscape. Appendix 12 : Map indicating the zones of legal protection The legal protection of the buffer zone Appendix 13 : Summary of controlling laws and regulations