Police in Kyoto in western Japan have arrested a local man who allegedly damaged a gate of Toji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Police say a security guard called in around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, saying a man was hitting the temple's Nandaimon Gate with what appeared to be a plastic bottle.

Dents have been confirmed on the wooden gate, which is listed as a national important cultural asset.

Police who rushed to the scene found a 42-year-old man standing there holding a wine-filled plastic bottle.

The man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of interfering with public servants after he spat on the officers.

The police say they are investigating the man on suspicion of violating the Cultural Assets Preservation Act as the security guard reported seeing him hit the gate.