Japanese archaeological parks: the use of historical heritage as a tourism and identity resource

Abstract

This paper analyses Japanese archaeological tourism through its more emblematic parks: Sannai- Maruyama (Aomori) and Yoshinogari (Saga). As in other parts of the world, this type of tourism is an emerging phenomenon in Japan. It is characterised by the promotion of archaeology and the conservation of archaeological sites, through different approaches that go beyond the limits of traditional museum management strategies. However, the Japanese case has several specific features. First, this type of tourism needs to be contextualised within the “culture of travel” (tabi no bunka), which emerged during the Edo period, a historical era characterised by great socio-political stability that enabled for the first time mass movement throughout the country. Second, it is basically a type of tourism targeted on the domestic market, and with hardly any international outreach. In this regard, these parks function not only as leisure sites, but they also play a key role in the construction of Japan’s national identity.