Uchiko flourished in the 19th century as a centre of Japanese wax (mokurō) production, and its wealthy merchant families built the stately earthen-walled machiya townhouses that still line the Yokaichi and Gokoku districts today. The centrepiece is the Uchiko-za, a fully restored 1916 kabuki theatre that still hosts live performances and offers public tours of its revolving stage and trap doors. Several former merchant mansions, including the Hon-Haga and Kamihaga residences, are open as museums explaining the wax industry. Uchiko is easily reached from Matsuyama in 40 minutes by JR limited express and is far less crowded than better-known heritage towns.
- Type
- Venue
- Category
- Culture
- Season
- Year-round
- Month
- Year-round
- Region
- Shikoku
- Prefecture
- Ehime
- City
- Uchiko
Highlights
- ◆Yokaichi and Gokoku historic districts with Meiji-era merchant architecture
- ◆Uchiko-za kabuki theatre with working revolving stage (built 1916)
- ◆Hon-Haga and Kamihaga Residences museum of the Japanese wax industry
- ◆Peaceful, authentic small-town atmosphere with few crowds
- ◆40-minute express train from Matsuyama