Largest Preserved Townscape in Japan
About an hour by train south from Nara, Imaicho contains over 500 old-style houses and stores, making it the largest traditional district in Japan. Most of these are original buildings from the Edo period, which lasted from 1600 to 1867.
Once, Imaicho was actually founded long before the Edo era as a part of a temple town. At that time there were often violent disputes between temple leaders, so it was fortified by a moat with many gates. Only one of the moats still remains today. During the Edo period it was built up again by rich merchants, who designed and lived in many of the buildings still seen today. Imaicho flourished as a merchant town after successfully negotiating a degree of autonomy with Japan’s legendary shogun Oda Nobunaga. Today the moated town is a step back into the era of feudal Japan with many of the town’s houses still preserving their characteristic facade.
There are many shops and businesses still housed in these wooden buildings. Stop in and buy some sake or soy sauce from traditional makers and take home a taste of Japan. Local cafes — whether in traditional or modern buildings — are a great place to take a break and look out at the streets and soak up the atmosphere.
Once, Imaicho was actually founded long before the Edo era as a part of a temple town. At that time there were often violent disputes between temple leaders, so it was fortified by a moat with many gates. Only one of the moats still remains today. During the Edo period it was built up again by rich merchants, who designed and lived in many of the buildings still seen today. Imaicho flourished as a merchant town after successfully negotiating a degree of autonomy with Japan’s legendary shogun Oda Nobunaga. Today the moated town is a step back into the era of feudal Japan with many of the town’s houses still preserving their characteristic facade.
There are many shops and businesses still housed in these wooden buildings. Stop in and buy some sake or soy sauce from traditional makers and take home a taste of Japan. Local cafes — whether in traditional or modern buildings — are a great place to take a break and look out at the streets and soak up the atmosphere.
