Everyday tourists from all over the world come to catch a glimpse of the mysteriously grandiose temple, Angkor Wat.On arrival you are greeted with the “western causeway”, which you continue down for 200 meters to the west tower gate.The APSARA National Authority is restoring the causeway with the technical cooperation of the Sophia Asia Center for Research and Human Development.

For 20 years, Sophia University has been performing conservation and restoration activities for the Angkor Wat western causeway. After the civil war, the Cambodian government wanted to protect this national treasure and appealed to Sophia University’s leading Angkor Wat researcher, Professor ISHIZAWA Yoshiaki. Phase-1 of restoration was in 1996 on half of the north side, completed in 2007. Phase-2 started restoration of the other half in 2016 and fi nishes in 2020. They do their best to use the techniques, materials, etc. of that time.

The Sophia Asia Center for Research and Human Development has a philosophy of international cooperation that “conservation and restoration of monuments in Cambodia should be carried out by Cambodians for Cambodia” and a big objective of this project is to collaborate and develop an understanding with locals and human resources in regards to these cultural ruins.

Phase 1 demolition work (August 2000). Because there was no heavy machinery in those days, demolition was done with a crane on a truck.

Architect students from the Royal University of Fine Arts do research. Since 1991 Sophia University has continued student research in the interest of teaching about monument preservation. Mr. MAO Sokny (pictured left), a research leader, speaks passionately about the significance of restoration. He is from the architecture faculty at the Royal University of Fine Arts and a former research student at Sophia University.

An archeological excavation was done to confirm the internal structure of the causeway. This is important work to establish the restoration plans.

Specialists from Japan and Cambodia often held Technical training exchange committee meetings. They continue to discuss the best method for handling technical problems within the restoration.

In February of this year, experts in preserving cultural heritage from various ASEAN countries were able to visit the site through the Mekong International workshop held by Sophia University.

A stone craftsman from Japan researched Cambodian masonry. Mr. YOSHINO Tadashi from Akita is pictured right. It seems both parties learned a lot form each other.

From May 25th of this year, tourists have to take a detour and are not allowed to walk on the western causeway for the sake of their safety and the restoration work. This picture shows the crowded causeway before the detour was opened (December 2016).

Sophia Asia Center for Research and Human Development

Tel: +81-3-3238-4136   

Fax:+81-3-3238-4138 (Tokyo office)

Tel: +855-12-834-144 (三輪 悟  Mr. MIWA Satoru, Siem Reap)

E-mail: satoru@online.com.kh (Cambodia office)