Japanese map symbol for a historic site

A three-pointed device marking a designated site.

Also known as: Shiseki mark, Scenic beauty mark

In Japanese:: 史跡・名勝・天然記念物
In Japanese (Latin):: shiseki meishō tennen kinenbutsu

Historical & archaeologicalMaps & navigationStandard profile

Meanings

Denotes a nationally designated historic site, place of scenic beauty or natural monument on a Japanese topographic map.

Officially standardisedVerified fact
Marks a site given national designation as a historic site, a place of scenic beauty or a natural monument on a GSI topographic sheet.
Contexts: Maps
Officially standardisedVerified fact
Covers three legally distinct designations with one symbol, so the map records that a place is protected without recording which of the three protections applies.
Contexts: Maps

Visual description

A small three-pointed figure resembling a leaf or a fan, drawn without an enclosing frame.

Symmetry: none
Orientation: upright

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

Map symbols used on Japanese topographic maps
Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) · retrieved 2026-08-23
Japan's national mapping agency's own published legend. Cited for the form and meaning of a symbol on Japanese topographic maps; the historical origin of individual symbols is cited separately where claimed.

Last reviewed 2026-08-26

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Japanese topographic map symbols

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Meanings

Denotes a nationally designated historic site, place of scenic beauty or natural monument on a Japanese topographic map.

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Marks a site given national designation as a historic site, a place of scenic beauty or a natural monument on a GSI topographic sheet.

Contexts: Maps

Officially standardisedVerified fact

Covers three legally distinct designations with one symbol, so the map records that a place is protected without recording which of the three protections applies.

Contexts: Maps

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

Map symbols used on Japanese topographic maps
Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) · retrieved 2026-08-23
Japan's national mapping agency's own published legend. Cited for the form and meaning of a symbol on Japanese topographic maps; the historical origin of individual symbols is cited separately where claimed.

Last reviewed 2026-08-26