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Uchiko (内子町 uchiko-cho) is a town in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]Uchiko is served by the JR Uchiko Line with two stations in the town, Uchiko Station and Iyo-Tachikawa Station. The name of the Uchiko Line was never formally changed so it remains its own line however, in actual usage, the Uchiko Line is part of the JR Yosan Line, which connects Matsuyama to Uwajima via Uchiko and Ozu, so you can take a direct train to Uchiko from any of these cities.
Get around
[edit]The historic district can be reached and explored on foot.
See
[edit]Historic district
[edit]For many travelers, the Yokaichi Gokoku Historic District (八日市・護国の町並み) is synonomous with the town. It was the first historic district of Shikoku and 18th in the nation to be registered as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The town prospered during the Edo Period as a wax-making town. Sumac trees were planted throughout the town and it was from the sumac berries that they made vegetable wax. At the time, the town was responible for 30% of Japan's total wax production. While most historic districts were built with white walls, Uchiko's historic district is unique in Japan for its yellow-colored buildings.
- Uchiko-za Theater (内子座). 09:00-16:30. Built in 1916 to commemorate the ascension of Emperor Taisho, it is a 2-story theater still in use today. The theater can be toured by visitors when there are no events going on. ¥400.
- Kamihaga Residence (上芳我邸). The Kamihaga Family was one of the city's most prosperous wax producing families. The residence is preserved and furnished and includes information about the family as well as Uchiko's wax production.
- Omura Residence (大村家住宅). Not open, except for specifal openings. Home of a former indigo-dying merchant. It is one of the oldest buildings in the town with its business predating the start of wax-making in the town.
- Machiya Museum (町家資料館). Built in 1783, it is now a small folk museum with old daily living objects and farming tools. Free.