The preservation districts for groups of important historic buildings refer to 'Historic Buildings Preservation Areas' ordained by local authorities under Article 144 of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties of Japan, of which the state (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) selects those which are especially important.
重要伝統的建造物群保存地区（じゅうようでんとうてきけんぞうぶつぐんほぞんちく）は、日本の文化財保護法第144条に基づき、市町村が条例等により決定した「伝統的建造物群保存地区」のうち、特に価値が高いものとして国（文部科学大臣）が選定したものを指す。