Perception of the relationship between climate change and traditional wooden heritage in Japan

In Japan much monumental historic architecture is built from wood. When considering the pressures likely to arise under a changed climate, we are presented with some problems that are different to those found in countries where stone has been such an important material. Additionally, the open design of Japanese temples results in a close connection between outdoor and indoor climate parameters, such as temperature and relative humidity. There are likely to be increases in temperature, shifts in rainfall patterns and a decrease in relative humidity over the coming century. There may also be more surface water and floods that threaten structures, and drier summers that increase the risk of forest fires. Warmer temperatures can create a potential for enhanced insect infestation, while altered humidity may affect the seasonal distribution of mould attack. Climate changes will advance the arrival of spring blossoms and delay autumn colours, potentially affecting the ways in which visitors choose to use important sites, influencing their appreciation of the site and its relation to the surrounding landscape. This paper presents a review of the effects of climate change on Japan’s heritage sites and explores the level of public engagement with this heritage.