"Two-stage designation of monuments,"is a system in which, in respect of historic sites, places of scenic beauty and natural monuments defined as "monuments" by the Act on Protection of Cultural Properties, monuments selected as 'especially important' among those designated by the national government are classified into the categories prefixed with 'Special' to call them "Special Historic Site," "Special Place of Scenic Beauty" or "Special Natural Monument," respectively.
記念物における二段階指定制度とは、文化財保護法において記念物として扱われる史跡、名勝、天然記念物のそれぞれに対し、国指定のものに関しては、「特に重要なもの」を選抜して「特別」の名を冠し、特別史跡、特別名勝、特別天然記念物の名称で指定する制度のことをいう。