World heritage and cultural tourism in Japan

Purpose - This paper aims to examine a conflict between local e'lites and local forest workers in relation to the designation of Kumano Kodo in Japan as a World Heritage site. Aesthetics of landscapes are highly politicized, which creates conflicts for forest workers. Design/methodology/approach - The study examines two concepts of ''heritage'' and ''authenticity,'' that World Heritage emphasizes. Types of authenticity are compared, and a post-structuralist's model of authenticity is developed. The study uses empirical research data to show a process of authentication of tourist sites. Findings - The value associated with World Heritage, while proclaimed as ''universal value'', represents a Eurocentric hegemonic power that local e'lites use symbolically. The construction of Kumano Kodo as a World Heritage site entails masking local histories and memories. Originality/value - Many scholars discuss heritage sites from the viewpoint of a conflict between nationalism and globalism. This paper, however, views heritage tourism from multiple perspectives, such as globalism, cosmopolitanism and localism.