“Living with Whales,” a story about whaling culture in coastal areas of Wakayama Prefecture bordering the Kumano Sea was designated as part of the Japan Heritage.

Shingu - Nachikatsuura - Taiji - Kushimoto

As part of its Japan Heritage program, the Agency for Cultural Affairs recognizes stories that communicate Japanese traditions and culture through the historical appeal and distinctive characteristics of various regions. The program was created in 2015 to facilitate regional development by actively utilizing the tangible and intangible cultural properties that serve as the basis for those stories. A total of 104 such stories have been recognized to date, including “Living with Whales” (as of March 31, 2021).