Important cultural properties are tangible cultural heritage (such as constructions, buildings and the art craft articles) in Japan that are designated as being culturally, historically or academically important under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties by the Japanese government (or the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology).
重要文化財（じゅうようぶんかざい）とは日本に所在する建造物、美術工芸品等の有形文化財のうち、文化史的・学術的に特に重要なものとして文化財保護法に基づき日本国政府（文部科学大臣）が指定した文化財を指す。