Conservation and Possible Relocation for the Traditional Town of Koyasan, Based on the Surveys of Residents and Visitors

Abstract

The town of Koyasan has 1,200 years of history as a center of Japanese esoteric Buddhism (Shingon Mikkyo). Koyasan was registered as a World Heritage Site in 2004, and its town government established a new townscape act in 2008, and landscape districts were decided. Although it is thought that the traditional houses have the most significant effect on the townscape, modern Koyasan consists of various other types of buildings as well, including temples and stores. Presently, 3,000 people live in Koyasan and 1,200,000 visit it every year. Therefore, when considering the townscape of Koyasan and the preservation of traditional houses, the experience of both residents and visitors must be taken into account.
Here the author presents the results of a survey that was conducted in 2008 about the townscape of Koyasan and its traditional houses to show its conservation and possible relocation. The responses of Koyasan′s residents were distinguished from those of tourists and visitors; in fact, the survey helped clarify some differences of opinion between these two groups. The questionnaire was broken up into subsections consisting of questions on respondent characteristics, traditional houses, the townscape of Koyasan and the town itself. Completed questionnaires were received from 168 residents and 1,073 visitors.