Imai Town

Japan's Largest Historic Streetscape

Imai Town is the largest Important Preservation District nationwide, with Edo period buildings comprising over 60% of the entire settlement. The town originated in 1532 as the temple town of Ikkoshu sect temple Shonenji, developing into a merchant town and autonomous city.

Edo Period Merchant Houses

Many merchant houses including "Imaiya," "Ueda Family Residence," and "Kometani Family Residence" convey their Edo period appearances today. Streets with latticed doors, insect-cage windows, and ladder windows are frequently used as period drama filming locations.

Imanishi Family Residence (National Treasure)

The "Imanishi Family Residence (Former Kometani Family)" is a precious folk house architecture designated as a National Treasure, the most prestigious among Imai's old residences. This substantial building conveying Muromachi to Azuchi-Momoyama period architectural styles is still used as an active residence.

Tradition of Autonomous City

Imai Town prospered as a wealthy commercial city called "the goldfish bowl of Yamato" and "Imai's Thousand Houses," an independent autonomous city surrounded by moats and earthworks. This tradition is still inherited in the townscape preservation efforts.