"Monument" is the collective term to refer to the following types of cultural properties:

1. Shell mounds, ancient tombs, sites of castle towns, sites of forts or castles, old houses, and other sites of a high historic or scientific value to Japan
2. Gardens, bridges, gorges, seashores, mountains, and other places of scenic beauty of a high artistic or aesthetic value for Japan
3. Animals, plants, minerals, and geological features of a high scientific value to Japan

The national government designates significant items in these three categories as “Historic Sites,” “Places of Scenic Beauty,” and “Natural Monuments,” and seeks to preserve them. Those which are of particularly high significance are designated as “Special Historical Sites,” “Special Places of Scenic Beauty,” and "Special Natural Monuments,” respectively.
Under the terms of the Act on the Protection of Cultural Properties, any alterations to the existing state of an area designated as a Historical Site, or other category of activities that would affect its preservation, require authorization from the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs. Any losses exceeding a certain amount incurred by these regulations must be compensated. However, local governments will make arrangements for substantial compensation to land owners by purchasing designated land with the support of state subsidies. Local governments also conserve land in order to widely utilize such Historical Sites with the support of state subsidies.