Bending history into heritage at hidden Christian sites in Nagasaki, Japan: UNESCO World Heritage site designation and tourism

UNESCO World Heritage site designation, while intended to foster sustainable tourism and secure funding for preservation, often faces criticism for its rigid selection criteria and pressure for tangible evidence of authenticity. This study reveals how the intervention of ICOMOS significantly altered the application process for the Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki, Japan, leading applicants to stage their heritage to meet UNESCO's demands. The research highlights the challenges in balancing historical integrity with tourism-driven narratives, emphasizing the need for greater recognition of local voices and alternative narratives to ensure authenticity in an era dominated by heritage commercialization.

Hashimoto, A., & Telfer, D. J. (2023). Bending history into heritage at hidden Christian sites in Nagasaki, Japan: UNESCO World Heritage site designation and tourism. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 19(2), 221–242. https://doi.org/10.1080/1743873x.2023.2276869