In an effort to get younger people more involved with preserving Kyoto's traditional culture, a local heritage association has begun a crowdfunding campaign that seeks small, individual donations for the repair of temples, shrines and cultural assets.
The Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association, a group of about 370 owners of temples, shrines and other assets that are often hundreds of years old, launched the campaign earlier this week with the goal of raising ¥12 million by March 2019.
Kyoto Prefecture is known for sites designated as Important Cultural Properties and National Treasures, but it is also home to many less famous assets that have long been supported at the local level. The association says a declining population and changing economic situation makes it more difficult for owners of non-designated assets to preserve and maintain them.