Hidden among giant cedar trees at the summit of a mountain in central Iwate Prefecture, Chusonji Temple, with its stunning golden hall dating from the 12th century, couldn't feel farther from the distraught, tsunami-ravaged coast just 50 km away.
But if things go its way and the temple's status is elevated on a global scale, a bit of cheer may come to an area where such sentiment has been in short supply. The change hinges on a meeting taking place in Paris next week.
At a special conference running from Sunday to June 29 in the Paris, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will decide whether to grant 42 sites World Heritage status.